Update on a few courses,
In October, I enjoyed a few round in Spain..
Monte Mayor (the marmite course) you either love it or hate it..... I'm of the latter......
Almenara - fantastic 3 loops of nine we played the Alcornoques and Los Lagos. Great track and one of the best value courses on the Costa Del Sol, its right next door to Valderrama.
Rio Real I like the course, if you ignore the pipework showing along the old river bed! had agood run round the back nine, 2 birdies and 4 pars......
La Cala Europa Played like a dog!!! - still a good track though!!!!
Torrequebrada really good track and clubhouse, but the greens really let it down when we played it...
I then travelled to Golf Holiday Turkey and played a couple of courses, The NAtional at Belek - very good track and the best in the area - and the Gloria Old Course, pretty good and in good condition very much a resort course though.
Following my trips away, I have had the pleasure of playing two UK courses since the turn of the year.
Firstly the 2010 Ryder Cup Course at Celtic Manor
Overall the course was not in great condition, and the greens need some serious work before next year. The Pros have complained of them being way to soft. The front nine was (in truth) pretty forgettable, but the back nine is stunning.... and 18th is an awesome Ryder Cup hole.
Took the money off the ginger prince, which is always good.
More recently, I had the absolute pleasure of playing the Forest of Arden (the Arden Championship course). Which I rate as in the top 5 of inland courses in the UK, the back 9 is quite simply brilliant, Fantastic use of the land, and definiton on the course is second to none. It is a much better course than the Brabazon and very under valued.....
