GWD_MAY_16

COURSES
Resorts with pedigree
these five resorts all boast courses by iconic architects and are bursting with heritage.
North Shore, Lincolnshire
Bovey Castle, Devon
Hawkstone Park, Shrops
The oldest of our selection, North Shore was
laid out over a century ago and is another of
James Braid’s designs. Although the neat
hotel has since been added, the course
remains very much as he left it in 1910.
In 1890, William Henry Smith (WH Smith)
purchased 5,000 acres of land from the Earl
of Devon. His son Frederick built a Manor
House on it, and in 1926 JF Abercromby
asked to design a course. It opened in 1930.
The Hawkstone course – there is also the
Windmill and a six-holer here, the home of
top amateur-turned-pro Ashley Chesters –
was opened in 1920 and tweaked following
a visit from James Braid in 1930.
North of Skegness off the A158 on
Lincolnshire’s North Sea coast.
South-west of Exeter near the village of
Moretonhampstead, off the A30 and A382.
In a secluded spot close to the A49,
between Shrewsbury and Whitchurch.
North Shore is a mixture of a proper fastrunning
links and parkland holes, laid out in
two loops of nine. Its 6,214 yards seem
relatively friendly on the scorecard and there
are plenty of wide fairways, but given its
coastal location it is predictably blustery.
‘Aber’ is noted for his interesting and stylish
inland courses and Bovey is no different,
meandering through the mature woodland
hotel estate with views over Dartmoor
National Park. A refurbishment in the past
decade gave it added polish.
A parkland overlooked by the ruins of a
medieval castle while the cliffs of the worldfamous
18th Century Follies are a distinctive
backdrop to several holes. It is 6,497 yards
but you’ll rarely be checking numbers given
the English Heritage Grade I landscape.
Much more premium fare is nearby than you
may imagine: Woodhall Spa’s 36 heathland
holes are inland and on the southern edge of
Skegness is English Top 100 links Seacroft.
Most of Devon’s other elite golf (Royal North
Devon and Saunton) is on the north coast
but closer than those are Teignmouth to the
south west and East Devon near Exmouth.
Some perfectly nice courses nearby –
notably scenic Church Stretton 20 miles
south – while classy Staffs heathlands
such as Beau Desert are an hour away.
One night & two rnds £119, two nights/three
rnds £209, three nights/four rnds £289.
Two rounds plus B&B accommodation for
two nights from £299 per person.
One night’s dinner, bed and breakfast plus
two rounds of golf from £99.
There are 34 bedrooms at this neat Best
Western. All are en-suite, with flat screen
freeview TVs and tremendous views. Enjoy
relaxed eating in the Braid Bar, or Table
d’Hote in James’ Restaurant.
Built to rival Gleneagles and Turnberry, it has
a real feel of the former; an opulent venue
whose lack of stuffness allows you to enjoy
the fine dining as well as relish the Spa, the
leisure facilities and the country pursuits.
There are 66 en-suite bedrooms to
choose from, including two Suites and
two Superior rooms (with lounge areas).
The Hawkstone is a more formal dining
room, the Terrace for lighter fare.
t: 01754 763298
e: info@northshorehotel.co.uk
w: northshoregolf.co.uk
t: 01647 445009
e: golf@boveycastle.com
w: boveycastle.com
t: 01948 841700
w: hawkstoneparkweston.co.uk &
hpgcgolf.com; e: via websites
May 2016 Golf World 123