Mike Clayton (3)

7 South.

This used to be a severe dogleg right with the dogleg protected by a substantial stand of mature trees. These trees have been replaced by the sandy wasteland, and the hole in general and view from the green have been opened up significantly.

Many people bemoan the loss of the beautiful, mature trees, but I think this hole has been improved. The view from the tee is more appealing and the hole offers a good risk/reward choice.

8 South.

What a lost opportunity!  And what a stupid green!

For the first 400m or so of this par 5, the fairway is a ridgeback with slopes running off to the rough on either side, particularly the left. This is another hole where an oh-so-slightly misdirected shot off the tee or second stroke will be unduly punished by ending up in a difficult lie in the rough (if you can find it at all!). What an opportunity we had to greatly improved the hole by taking that ridgeback out, thereby making the landing areas for first and second shots much fairer, and providing a magnificent view all the way to the green from the tee.

The green is the most ridiculous one I think I’ve ever come across. Effectively, it is a tiny green, just that the ground staff have a choice of 3 tiny greens on which to place the hole. If you miss the tiny green with your approach shot, you can pretty much kiss goodbye to any chance of holing out with two more strokes. I’ve seen good approach shots land within 3m of the pin, only to roll right off the green and down the slope at the front, finishing more than 40m away. It’s a green that is much more a test of luck than a test of golf.