I’ve had my battles at Burnham & Berrow, however nothing in comparison with the one envisaged throughout the Second World Struggle.
This was the second line of defence had Britain succumbed to a German invasion. The greenkeeping staff’s current clearance of acres of blackthorn along with the seventh gap has revealed three pillboxes.
It transpires they have been a part of the 50-mile Taunton line the place the Residence Guard would attempt to maintain off advancing forces ought to they land within the southwest.
They add one other chapter to Burnham & Berrow’s marvellous historical past.
It was dwelling to Nice Britain’s Ryder Cup participant Ernest Whitcombe and his brothers Charles and Reginald, additionally noteworthy golfers. And it was visited in 1930 by Don Bradman and the Australian cricket staff who would play within the notorious Bodyline sequence two years later.
Then there’s the traditional church, which was so near the course that the twelfth gap couldn’t be performed on Sundays or throughout funerals.
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Burnham & Berrow’s dunes are dramatic; the greens undulate wildly, and there’s seldom a flat lie anyplace.
In the meantime, the views are attractive, and there’s a good likelihood of recognizing wildlife (it’s the solely course on which I’ve encountered a snake!). It’s a nice pleasure regardless of being one of the difficult programs within the UK.
This was my third time taking part in it, and I hadn’t reached 30 factors throughout any spherical. Though my excuse this time was a sprained toe that required me to rent a buggy.
I doubt my harm made a lot distinction on the first gap as a result of it’s a demon – weaving by grassy mounds and inside a deep bunker earlier than reaching a fiendish, layered inexperienced.
Traditionally, punchbowl placing surfaces have been omnipresent at Burnham & Berrow, however over time, they’ve disappeared, changed by extra different greens. Nonetheless, the third had remained, hidden behind a sandy dune on the finish of a dogleg par 4. It’s a brilliant gap.
The 4th is the place I noticed a sleeping adder within the tough. It’s a enjoyable par 5 with an extended carry from the tee earlier than a flip in direction of a risen inexperienced. Even on one foot, I managed to have a birdie putt – clearly, I missed.
Fearsome sand traps are dotted throughout the cracking par 3 fifth that has an unlimited inexperienced that slips from again to entrance. The clearance work on the seventh has improved the vistas out to sea from the outlet, distracting from the menacing pond down the appropriate.
The work has additionally uncovered a raised eighth tee, which is able to enhance the angle to the par 5, which was part-designed by Harry Colt‘s accomplice Charles Hugh Allison following an unique work by Herbert Fowler.
Colt and Alister MacKenzie additionally had a hand in Burnham & Berrow’s design, explaining the number of holes.
None is extra quirky than the tenth – a brief par 4 the place a lot will depend on the blind tee shot. A miss down the appropriate will undoubtedly stop par and doubtless lead to a misplaced ball.
The ultimate stretch includes probably the most memorable stretch in my eyes. The twelfth, not too long ago up to date by Martin Ebert, is a elegant par 4 that snakes uphill to inexperienced, falls off to the appropriate, and is framed by a knotty bush.
Slopes and run-offs are a key function, and turn into extra pronounced because the spherical progresses The ball can typically disappear over the again of the thirteenth – a par 5 which turns, rises, falls and rises once more right into a closely sloping inexperienced.
In the meantime, on the robust par 3 14th, I used to be ten toes under the inexperienced with my second shot after lacking the goal to the left. Fortuitously, I used to be capable of pop the ball to 12 toes.
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My favorite gap is the fifteenth – a par 4 into one of many course’s unique bowl greens, hidden behind a grassy financial institution. Shifting the ball in from the appropriate may reap reward.
The chilly wind was blowing towards us as we took on the seventeenth – at practically 200 yards, arguably probably the most troublesome of the par 3s. An enormous bunker guards the left entrance to the inexperienced, and two different deep traps on the appropriate. The finale is a basic – an extended bending par 4 in entrance of the clubhouse. A particular sting within the tail.
It completes a spherical at certainly one of England’s premium programs however one of many least stuffy. This can be an Open Qualifying venue, however everybody feels welcome and is all the time left with a way of “should come again.”
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About Neil White:
Neil White is a panellist for the NCG High 100s course rankings. He additionally has his personal podcast, The Golf Pilgrim.
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