Driving along the A55 towards Bangor brought back many memories, seeing how things had changed over the years, a lot of farmland had been converted into small industrial units, new housing estates. From being small rural communities it is now growing with small enterprise businesses opening up adding strength to the local economy.

But when I got near Bangor looking over the mountains, it was as if time had stood still, it was just how I remembered it some 50 years previously. As you come into Bangor keep left heading towards the town centre, then immediately left, one has to be careful not to miss the access to the club as you can easily miss the turning.

Driving up to the clubhouse a wonderful view opens up before you of the Snowdonia ranges.

Waiting to greet me in the clubhouse was the secretary, Bob Thomas M.B.E. who gave me an overview of the clubs history over a cup of coffee. I was presented with a copy of the bi-lingual centenary book 1906-2006 of the club as a memento of my visit. It is a very comprehensive 165 page historical review of the club, and its members.
A bright sunny day, with a cool breeze on your back leaves you feeling confident that a good day’s golf would ensue. Standing on the 1^st tee which was still under re-construction, adding extra yards to its length, an uphill drive with draw could leave you with a difficult second shot into the green as the fairway falls off to the left.

As you walk up the first fairway, the course starts to unfold before your eyes, undulating fairways on the majority of the holes, leaves one a little out of breath, even more so when you see the panoramic scenes all around, that itself was breath taking.
With many undulations over the course, local knowledge is essential. With plenty of gorse to trap you if you are off the fairways and some prevailing winds can quickly wreck your card. Of the fourteen medal competitions played in 2003, the average score was 1.078 over par per hole, which I think sums up the difficulty of the course, it also makes me feel a little better as my score was 1.1 over par per hole, and not played it before.

In the summer months one could not wish for a nicer course to play, with views to languish on for many years to come.

Results:

Out: 43
In: 43
Gross: 86
H/Cap: 13
Nett: 73
Putts: 16/18 Total: 34
Stableford Points: 15/16 Total: 31

Lost to the Course

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