Arriving at Saint Nicholas in Cardiff one is impressed of Cotterall Park Golf club by the layout as you drive up to the clubhouse, seeing what it must have been like back in Victorian times. Arriving in the courtyard, now a members and visitors car park gives easy access to the clubhouse, changing rooms and pro shop.

I was introduced to the general manager, Mr. Derek Smith, who took interest to the challenge and would pass the information on to the executive committee at the next meeting.

There are two courses of similar distance, the Mackintosh, 6313 yards, and the Button Gwinnett, 6123 yards. A well matured parkland courses that gives rise to thinking your way round, as opposed to getting your driver out, as water can come into play on six of the holes. One of which, the 16^th, has water up to six yards from the front of the green, a 160 yard carry from an elevated tee.

Water also comes into play on the 18^th  off the tee, as well as a bunker. The greens have plenty of undulations that can add extra putts to your score.

The weather was overcast and no run on the fairways gave rise to the course playing long its full length, but one that would entice you back again.

PHOTOS >>>

Conditions:     overcast with slight variable winds.

Result:             Win against the course.

Out:     41
In:        37
Gross:  78
H/cap:  13
Net:     65
Par:      71
Putts:   16/17= 33
Stb Pts: 20/22= 42 pts.

1 Birdies; 9 Pars; 8 Bogeys; 0 D/Bogey

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