GWD_MAY_16

COURSES
the estuary and Padstow beyond, it will
not fail to find favour with links lovers.
An uphill 2nd that is a three-shotter for
most of us reveals the often significantly
rolling topography that define St Enodoc’s
holes, because having battled up the hill,
now you come back down playing the 3rd.
Played on the outer edge of the property
alongside farmland, it loses its obvious
links feel and the 4th follows that line,
a terrific sporty par 4 whose green is
reachable for some. But with the putting
surface set at an angle to the fairway, the
field hard to the right being OB and with
deep cabbage to the left, it is a bold play to
reach for driver with scorecard in hand.
Either side of the aforementioned 6th
and the blind 7th are two notable par 3s.
The 5th is a gorgeous short hole, the
8th a brilliant one. In well-honoured links
fashion, the latter is so exposed to the
elements that it can require anything from
a wedge to a hybrid to try to avoid the
seven greenside traps.
A straightforward downhill par 4 to
a green overlooked by tall pines then
concludes a front nine where no two holes
play in the same direction and where the
‘No more than a handful of
England’s superstar
courses are notably
‘better’ than St Enodoc’
relentless questions asked off the tee and
the variety of challenge give this 6,557-
yard links its bite and its appeal.
Survive the 10th and your reward is a
232-yard short hole at 11, which starts the
journey around the church on land with
more parkland-moorland feel. McEvoy’s
work has improved definition and at 396,
395 (uphill) and 382 yards, they are
exacting (and in the 14th’s case, with a
super view) if not as romantic.
The 15th returns you to the elite level ,
a downhill par 3 with a backdrop of the
Camel where you are never confident of
your club selection.
A high-octane finish is expected and
begins with the 16th, always a very pretty
par 5 played alongside the beach but
which now has an extra 70 yards as well as
a new first-class green complex; it has a
deal more bite and much more allure.
A robust par 3 (St Enodoc’s longest)
set between two mounds maintains the
momentum at 17 before the round
finishes as it began, with a stellar hole. It is
not technically a par 5, as is the 1st, but
for most of us it is one all but in name.
The raised green is visible from the
elevated tee but with OB on the right and
thick rough to the left of the undulating,
snaking, often narrow fairway, covering its
469 yards in regulation is unlikely for
most. A five is a fine finish and worse is no
disgrace. Certainly it won’t overshadow
the enjoyment of this outstanding course.
Betjeman notes in the opening stanza of
‘Seaside Golf’, that the links “made me
glad I was alive”. It is difficult to imagine
many will disagree with the sentiment.
KEY INFORMATION
St Enodoc, Rock, Wadebridge,
Cornwall, PL27 6LD
t: 01208 863216 e: enquiries@st-
enodoc.co.uk w: st-enodoc.co.uk
Green fees: From £75
Stay: The Point at Polzeath
May 2016 Golf World 111