Paul Schmitz-Josten
2011-05-15 13:44:28 UTC
Hello lads and lassies,
tradition is a nice thing, so now we've come over to England even without
the bash ;->
We, that's my son and I, and here are some details of our trip:
Arriving at Gatwick a few hours before him, I've been looking for the next
golf course and found two in Copthorne: Copthorne Golf Course and Burstow
Golf Club. I chose the latter because a 9 hole P&P fit better into my tight
schedule than a big course. Nice to play for once it was.
United, we drive to Cowdray golf club, a valuable (alas hilly) downs course
near Midhurst, less than an hour's drive west of Gatwick. There are some
polo fields, too, but we don't manage to visit a game. Instead, we enjoy
local brews in the evening sun ;-)
A very delicious dinner at The Kings Arms in Haslemere, one of Marco Pierre
White's restaurants, rounds up the day.
Then, Liphook GC, a similar yet different course to Cowdray through a lot
of heather!
On day 3 we join the navy at Littlehampton. A good links experience, lucky
to start early enough.
The feet are a wee bit sore but we have to drive for a while anyway,
heading to Hastings. In between, we stop at Peacehaven GC (Seahaven),
and after some coffee and tea the fairways are luring us: "Come on, guys,
is there anything better to do when the sun is shining?" No, there isn't!
On this historic course valleys, hills and quite a few blind shots have to
be negociated!
27 holes in a laid-back tempo seem to be good for us, and Hastings pleases
me more than Brighton!
Sunday, we head to Littlestone. This well-known links course in Kent
suffers from the dryness more than other courses, and we suffer from our
own shortcomings. Unfortunately, this round is not supposed to be the
highlight of our journey.
Well, let's have a look at another 9 hole course: Homelands Better Golf
Center in Ashford. We start with a sandwich and a coke and end up through
the green again, trying our luck against the first, a "guess-how" hole.
The course is short & beautiful, in nice parkland surroundings.
Back again to the coast, at least for a distant view: Eastbourne Downs is
on top of a hill opposite to the coast, sending us pleasantly but
relentlessly up & down! Here we stay for the day (27 holes, as usual).
We have rooms in The Roebuck in Forest Row, which is a charming old inn
with perfect hospitality for the farewell dinner.
Close to that is Royal Ashdown GC, a worthwhile finish! We enjoy our round
on a true woodland course, no bunkers(!) but just enough other obstacles.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip over 153 holes on nine courses, experiencing
Wessex (sorry: Hampshire), Sussex and Kent as well as the beauty of the
Downs and the Weald. My wife certainly will want to visit Hastings and see
Kent herself, so we'll come back, inevitably!
Cheers,
Paul
tradition is a nice thing, so now we've come over to England even without
the bash ;->
We, that's my son and I, and here are some details of our trip:
Arriving at Gatwick a few hours before him, I've been looking for the next
golf course and found two in Copthorne: Copthorne Golf Course and Burstow
Golf Club. I chose the latter because a 9 hole P&P fit better into my tight
schedule than a big course. Nice to play for once it was.
United, we drive to Cowdray golf club, a valuable (alas hilly) downs course
near Midhurst, less than an hour's drive west of Gatwick. There are some
polo fields, too, but we don't manage to visit a game. Instead, we enjoy
local brews in the evening sun ;-)
A very delicious dinner at The Kings Arms in Haslemere, one of Marco Pierre
White's restaurants, rounds up the day.
Then, Liphook GC, a similar yet different course to Cowdray through a lot
of heather!
On day 3 we join the navy at Littlehampton. A good links experience, lucky
to start early enough.
The feet are a wee bit sore but we have to drive for a while anyway,
heading to Hastings. In between, we stop at Peacehaven GC (Seahaven),
and after some coffee and tea the fairways are luring us: "Come on, guys,
is there anything better to do when the sun is shining?" No, there isn't!
On this historic course valleys, hills and quite a few blind shots have to
be negociated!
27 holes in a laid-back tempo seem to be good for us, and Hastings pleases
me more than Brighton!
Sunday, we head to Littlestone. This well-known links course in Kent
suffers from the dryness more than other courses, and we suffer from our
own shortcomings. Unfortunately, this round is not supposed to be the
highlight of our journey.
Well, let's have a look at another 9 hole course: Homelands Better Golf
Center in Ashford. We start with a sandwich and a coke and end up through
the green again, trying our luck against the first, a "guess-how" hole.
The course is short & beautiful, in nice parkland surroundings.
Back again to the coast, at least for a distant view: Eastbourne Downs is
on top of a hill opposite to the coast, sending us pleasantly but
relentlessly up & down! Here we stay for the day (27 holes, as usual).
We have rooms in The Roebuck in Forest Row, which is a charming old inn
with perfect hospitality for the farewell dinner.
Close to that is Royal Ashdown GC, a worthwhile finish! We enjoy our round
on a true woodland course, no bunkers(!) but just enough other obstacles.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip over 153 holes on nine courses, experiencing
Wessex (sorry: Hampshire), Sussex and Kent as well as the beauty of the
Downs and the Weald. My wife certainly will want to visit Hastings and see
Kent herself, so we'll come back, inevitably!
Cheers,
Paul