TOP 100

53
St Mellion (Nicklaus) ( )
Saltash, Cornwall. Par 72, 7,019 yards. Designer: Jack Nicklaus.
ND: Spectacular routing through plunging valleys where the
slightest miscue can lead to complete disaster.
SV: If you like challenging golf courses this is one to play.
Haven’t played it for years but can still remember some of
the holes vividly and loving the experience.
VH: an american-style feel and Jack nicklaus has designed
a really good course which can be a real test.
SE: a great test, with many long and challenging holes.
Straight shots of the tee are essential. The resort is good.
GW VERDICT: one of the toughest tracks, one of the best
inland courses and one of the finest all-round venues in the
country. a star of the British inland golf scene.
EXClUSIVE
Why it’s special to me
By Jack nicklaus.
St Mellion was my first course in
england and will always be very
special to me. It holds a special
place in my heart. I am proud of
the exceptional experience we
created and hope golfers will
continue to enjoy it for
generations to come.
It is a breathtakingly beautiful
course that belongs with the
best. I don’t think there is
another course like it in the UK.
I twice – maybe three times –
turned down the Bond brothers,
Herman and Martin, when they
asked me to design the course
because of the challenge of the
property – on the sides of a hill.
eventually, I said, ‘ok, but we will
have to design the course into
the side of the mountain’. In the
end each individual hole is
pretty darn good. They might
be in a unique location, but it
turned out to be really good
from a playability standpoint.
I have always been very
proud of taking the site given to
us and turning it into something
that has hosted professional
events. I think the golf course,
hole for hole, turned out to be
very good.
I believe St Mellion, as a test
of golf, as a design, and looking
at each individual hole and its
beauty would rank very high in
the courses I have done.
Top 100 england 2015 golf World 27