This was our 2nd golfing day (3.9.2013) & we were on our way to Willingdon, but a glimpse of several little green oasis with yellow & red flags called for a stop and investigation, it was time for breakfast too.
The entrance to the "perched on the hill" Clubhouse is very attractive with lots of scented lavender attracting numerous species of bees & butterflies. The views over Eastbourne, its harbour and the Sussex Downs National Park are magnificient, the golf course looked so inviting too, a vast expanse of rolling hills, some lunar scenery, some huge fields, I felt in my element.
The wellcome was more that friendly. The Clubhouse was filled with bright light as the weather was sunny & bright and that created a happy feel about the place. Whilst eating our full, tasty & perfectly cooked English breakfast, we studied the course planner & unanimously decided to play the Eastbourne Downs course, hence cancelling Willingdon (very beautiful course too) as I had already sampled its challenges.
As we were getting our golf gear ready, a sudden mist appeared over Eastbourne Town & Harbour, so then came the question: are we going to be able to enjoy our golf should the mist move up the hill? We were reassured by the friendly members that it was an absolutely perfect day for golf and that the mist would stay down. It proved correct, we had a superb blue sky and warm day with very little breeze, hence the good scores, but play this course in the blustery wind/ rain would be a different thing unless you are a regular player.
So now to the golf course itself: well over 100 years old, a JH Taylor design with some alterations when the Clubhouse was moved from "down" to the "top" of the hill, a downland course that plays like a links, it is vast, every hole has its cachet, its challenges and I am sure that regular players must acquire all the skills needed to return a good score as they get plenty of practice under the harsh natural elements. The landscape reminds me a little of East Brighton, Lewis & Willingdon put together, well I suppose they are all near or by the sea. One hole (the 10th) reminds of the ice age as there is a "dew pond", I wonder what it was millions of years ago.....
The walk is up and down but not too strenuous, signage is good but one needs to be aware of 1 or 2 holes where one can easily go the wrong way. One can see walkers enjoying the Sussex Downs National Park, some paths crossing the course.
The condition of the course was excellent all the way through, the greens very interesting, fast & true, so a real pleasure to spank the little white ball in the hole.
2 favourite holes:
7th, Par 5 (557 yards/yellow.): a real MONSTER, OOB on the right with a stone wall that protrudes, lots of trees & undergrowth on the left, sloping fairway left to right, a road (with a hollow on its right)to cross before the approach shot to a very attractive raised green chisled into a slope, looks like a square bowl. A real "wow hole" that surely ruins many cards, specially so in adverse weather conditions....
12th, Par 3 (174 yards/yellow), a downhill par 3 where wind direction will dictate the use of either a Driver (yes a Driver, even for long hitter) or a Wedge..... Your choice, golf is such fun. Three huge & deep greenside bunkers keeping guard. The green has a slope at the back.
The finishing hole offers great views over Eastbourne, the South Downs Way runs alongside its fairways, it has some depressions in the middle of the fairway, looks a bit like bomb holes, the last green is a little treacherous with 2 bunkers of either side...
Eastbourne was a great & unexpected discovery, so glad we stopped and enjoyed a glorious sunny golfing day with good scores (always pleasing).
Large car park, sharp turn either up or down the hill, on a busy A road, depending which direction you are driving from.
Friendly Proshop, well stocked, some Ladies items as well.
Pleasant changing rooms.
Good practice facilities with an open sloping driving range see-able from the 9th and 18th holes.
This course is on my list of "must play again", but will we have as perfect conditions as today ?
So why not try the course, am sure you will enjoy the challenge and the walk. The Green Fee was very acceptable. Food & drinks very reasonably priced too.
THE END.......(how sad, I could write some more!!!!!!! I did post some photos on my album earlier on).
Date Thursday, 24, October 2013
