by Gordon Dalgleish on August 18, 2010
As the golfing world starts to focus on Wales, venue for the Ryder Cup Matches, Oct 1 – 3 we shall follow Jim Frank as he visits some of the links course of Wales and paints a picture of this charming destination.
Portraits of Royal Porthcawl
by James A. Frank – TheAPosition
Royal Porthcawl is the big one, the course against which all others in Wales are measured. And for good reason. Porthcawl is, simply, a class act. Read about my adventure there on my VisitWales blog. Then enjoy the photos.
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by PerryGolf Staff on June 1, 2010
Nefyn and District is a great links course in the North West of Wales. It’s often regarded as the signature course for Wales in terms of image, as it’s very reminiscent of Old Head or Pebble Beach in the way that it’s perched on top of the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Nefyn and District Golf Course
by PerryGolf Staff on May 26, 2010
You’ll appreciate the setting at Royal St. David’s from the minute you pull up into the car park in the shadows of the overlooking Harlech Castle. It’s a spectacular view as it’s perched on top of the hill and can be seen from almost every hole. The course itself is relatively flat, but don’t be fooled as the fairways are tight and the rough punishing, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. The greens are true and were exceptionally fast for April, and with the back nine playing straight into the wind, it wasn’t the best day for scoring when your game’s as rusty as mine, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
by PerryGolf Staff on May 16, 2010
One of the courses I played in my recent trip to Wales was the fantastic Royal Porthcawl; generally regarded as the top course in the country. It’s famous for hosting many amateur championships over the years and one of it’s most well known moments was being the course on which Tiger Woods famously lost to Gary Wolstemholme in the 1995 Walker Cup (his last defeat as an amateur).
Royal Porthcawl
by PerryGolf Staff on May 14, 2010
I recently had the pleasure of playing the 2010 course at Celtic Manor, which is due to host the Ryder Cup later this year. What a great day it turned out to be – helped by the fact the sun was splitting the sky!
The course has been specifically designed for the tournament with many classic match play holes which begin straight from the start with a tough 465 yard par 4. The greens were slick and the fairways lush – which for April was a real treat. Many of the holes include strategically placed water hazards; no more so than the tough 14th where there is water on left and right. At only 413 yards off the back tees it doesn’t sound tough, but the landing area is so narrow that anything off line is heading for trouble.
by PerryGolf Staff on April 23, 2010
One of the advantages of having a partner who was born just outside of Cardiff (and is a very keen golfer) is that we get away to my favourite hotel, Celtic Manor, whenever possible; Wales playing at home in the Millennium Stadium, a family birthday or anniversary is all the excuse we need.
Celtic Manor
Although the main hotel looks somewhat formidable on approach – from the huge wooden dragon sleeping in the foyer, to the menus in the restaurants – it is a delightfully Welsh experience.
