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Five to play this month:<br />
If the prospect of a dispiritingly bland course puts you off play-and-stay breaks, read on –<br />
Plenty of us view resort golf rather<br />
snootily, deeming the courses attached<br />
to hotels as modest modern affairs,<br />
outwith Gleneagles and Turnberry.<br />
The Grove and Lough Erne – home to<br />
tracks of Top 100 calibre – would be<br />
solid ripostes to that suggestion, and<br />
here are five further retorts; play-andstay<br />
venues that include courses of<br />
real pedigree. The list of architects<br />
associated with what are often highlycharming<br />
courses is confirmation<br />
alone these resorts are worthy of even<br />
connoisseurs’ attention. And after<br />
you’ve played, you can of course then<br />
savour the ‘stay’ part of the deal.<br />
The Mere, Cheshire<br />
Selsdon Park, Surrey<br />
WHAT IS THE HISTORY<br />
BEHIND THIS COURSE?<br />
The course was designed by James Braid in<br />
1935, the Scotsman routing it predictably<br />
skilfully around the eponymous lake and<br />
creating several holes of exquisite charm,<br />
especially on the back nine.<br />
The course was designed by JH Taylor, five<br />
times winner of The Open, in 1929. Taylor –<br />
who also designed Burnham & Berrow and<br />
Hayling Island – routed it through the thick<br />
forest that dominates this part of Surrey.<br />
WHERE WILL I FIND IT?<br />
Off the A556, close to the M56, near<br />
Knutsford south west of Manchester.<br />
On the outskirts of Croydon, just a few<br />
minutes’ drive from the M25/M23.<br />
WHAT KIND OF COURSE<br />
WILL I DISCOVER HERE?<br />
Currently a very pleasant parkland but<br />
woodland management guided by South<br />
African greenkeeper Gwynn Davies – whose<br />
passion for heritage architecture was<br />
fostered under Arthur Hills – is seeking to<br />
encourage The Mere’s original heathland feel.<br />
A traditional parkland of 6,473 yards that is<br />
no pushover, even for strong players. It has<br />
five scoreable par 5s, even although four of<br />
them measure over 500 yards. All but one of<br />
the par 4s are less than 400 yards and two<br />
are under 300. It’s built for pleasure not pain.<br />
ARE THERE ANY OTHER GOOD<br />
COURSES NEARBY?<br />
Other alluring Cheshire courses are classy<br />
heathland Delamere Forest and quirky<br />
woodland Sandiway. Prestbury, Reddish<br />
Vale and Stockport are fine options nearby.<br />
This is Surrey, so the answer is superfluous.<br />
The Addington and Tandridge are especially<br />
close by, but it is not far to the three Ws,<br />
Sunningdale et al. A very good Surrey base.<br />
ANY GOOD DEALS ON OFFER?<br />
Two rounds plus dinner, bed & breakfast, with<br />
use of the Spa from £129, May-September.<br />
One night’s accommodation, three-course<br />
dinner and two rounds from £119.<br />
WHAT ABOUT THE OFF-COURSE<br />
ATTRACTIONS?<br />
The hotel was built four years ago around<br />
the existing clubhouse and comprises a fine<br />
restaurant and renowned spa. The<br />
clubhouse restaurant, overlooking the lake,<br />
is still arguably the spot to eat though.<br />
Set in 200 acres of countryside, the four-star<br />
hotel is a converted country mansion and<br />
the sense of history and old-world opulence<br />
is tangible in the stylish bedrooms, spa<br />
rooms and well-appointed leisure club.<br />
CONTACT DETAILS<br />
t: 01565 830155<br />
e: sales@themereresort.co.uk<br />
w: themereresort.co.uk<br />
t: 0208 6578 811<br />
e: via website<br />
w: selsdonparkcroydon.co.uk<br />
122 Golf World May 20<strong>16</strong>
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