Another long review, but it needs to be so I can paint the whole picture, even on a wet, windy day.
SO PLEASE READ ON...
RUSPER is certainly a course everyone will want to return for many reasons:
1. Wonderful setting: a jewel (sapphire & diamonds)
2. Challenging holes for all abilities
3. Friendly/well stocked Pro shop
4. Pleasant Clubhouse with character, outside terrace, good selection of food served all day long
5. Welcoming atmosphere by the Pro, Janice Arnold, the members and the Clubhouse alike
6. All practice facilities are present
7. Very active Junior, Senior, Lady/Woman sections
8. Attractive Society packages
9. Very reasonable rates Monday to Thursday and Seniors
get preferred rates as well!!!!
As you arrive to the large Car Park, well laid out & as you walk to the Pro Shop, you know you are onto something special. An old but attractive & well kept wooden building (in keeping with the local Surrey surroundings, must have been a farm building) accommodates the Pro Shop, the Clubhouse with a large, bright lean-to, an attractive terrace under native trees, with lovely red parasols (not in use today though) & wooden tables/benches.
On one side here is the picturesque practice putting green (cherry tree in the middle), on the other side is the chipping/pitching, sand/bunker area. The driving range is by the car park, near the Pro shop.
The course was build (I assume on Surrey farmland) in 2
parts: the first 9s some 20 years ago and the last 9s some 10 years later (hence my sapphire & diamond).
You may think it is going to be an easy course, as you stand on the 1st Tee box (Par 4), but NO IT IS NOT. It needs careful course management and appropriate club selection.
The holes are varied, some open fairways tightening up, some very tight holes. Lots of water come into play (even more on a day like today, 9 May 2012) be it streams, ditches or ponds. Wild life is present as well. In fact each of the 18 holes has a water element.
Mix of parkland, woodland, flatish in places but many ups and downhills, wonderful matured native trees, sometimes in the way, bluebells at their best, even without sun. Very lush scenery all around, some wonderful views of the Surrey North Downs. If you walk the course, it will keep you fit.
One can hear the cockerels (4/5/6th holes)in the background (evidence of local farming, as there are some Farm Shops along the "B" road leading to the Golf Course).
Holes well presented, every one with a tough challenge, especially on a wet ground like today.
Good paths, covered in shells, leading to the following hole, good way finding. A few wooden and concrete sculptures dotted around, nice touch ( for the artistic golfers, well some of us are!!!!).
The greens were very interesting despite the recent rainfalls, only 1 was a little water logged in a corner.
Some greens were tiered and with nice ondulations. Must be a pleasure to chip and putt in good dry weather.
The Red Tee boxes are nicely placed, sometimes giving us Ladies/Women a little advantage as some of the red tees were set in forward of the ponds or streams. But this is only fair at it is very tough course (Red Tees PAR 74 - SSS 75). I have to write the technical stuff as well...
My favourite holes: 14th / 17th...
The 14th , Par 4, a delight for many reasons: TOUGH & SPECTACULAR, (Captain charity box awaits your donations at this hole). A tough start (well from the Yellow Tees), a spectacular finish by a lovely fast running stream feeding the pond on the right hand side of the green. The fairway is slopping the left & going fairly steeply to the green.
Tough climb to the 15th hole where a wooden bench awaits for you to admire the view, rest or picnic.
Must be a picture postcard on a sunny day.
The 17th, Par 3, one cannot see the pin from the Tee box as there is a mound in the way, so blind Tee shot from the Red Tees anyway.
The only drawback is the vicinity of Gatwick airport. But today, not too much of a problem: the WET & WINDY WEATHER was ! We were covered in mud (looked like we had rolled in it !!!!!) but if you ventured off the Fairways you must expect to get muddy under the present conditions. If only the little white ball would fly straight and keep on the fairways.
Saying that, I never lost a ball, I did not score brilliantly but had a great game and nice company.
So will return to play in a warm and sunny day to enjoy RUSPER at its best.
Sadly the end.....
(Must go and wash the muddy golf clothes & clubs).
Date Wednesday, 09, May 2012
