The 247 acres, once a pigs farm on the Cottesmore ground of the Manor House (now a private school) provide the perfect setting for 2 very different golf courses, the Griffin and the Phoenix.
The owners, the Rogerson family who must have been keen golfers designed the 36 holes nearly forty years ago, no famous golf architects but certainly had a creative talent resulting in very inspiring holes with lakes, streams & ancient woodlands. Cottesmore was once run by American Golf, then Crown Golf and has recently returned to the hands of the Rogerson family. So one can expect some real monetary investment getting back into the 2 courses & the Estate as a whole.
The old farm buildings provide hotel accommodation in comfortable rustic style bedrooms with pool, gym and tennis, so an ideal place for a few days of golf in tranquil & pleasant surrounds. There is also 7 very attractive wooden log cabins on the Estate, should one wants more privacy etc... These can be seen when playing the Griffin.
THE GRIFFIN: the more mature & challenging of the 2 courses, with elevated tees, sloping fairways, lakes, ponds and stream and valleys, all amongst mature woodlands. Longer as well but can be enjoyed by all levels of golfers.
Every hole is attractive & different, so I will describe just two:
Hole 14, Par 5: raised tee box, slight dog leg right, fairly wide fairways sloping to the right, and down to a ditch some 50 yards from the raised & sloping green, nicely contoured by trees/bushes.
Hole 17, Par 3: a beauty, a real beauty, over a large lake with lots of natural vegetation & life, uphill with old mature trees with large branches in full vision, hope for no wind on the day you play. No one can forget this hole, specially so if you stand by the 18th tee box (red, in my case) as a golf ball from a shot from the 17th onto the green, ricoched of the big tree and hit me on the arm. "Dear Tony" was so apologetic, but I made sure he kissed my arm better. I think Tony felt a little embarrassed as Mr L. was looking on..... (The bruising has now gone). So a warning if you stand on the 18th tee box waiting for your turn to play, anything can happen as fairly close to the 17th uphill green.
Course in excellent condition, lovely true/fast greens with interesting shapes & ondulations.
THE PHOENIX is more forgiving but very attractive with its long walks to the next tees through woodlands. One can get a glimpse of the elegant red brick Manor House also of the few private houses around, all owned by the Rogerson family.
2 favourites:
15th, Par 4. A tough drive over a deep valley full of wild bushes, small trees, rough etc. so better avoid it. Blind uphill fairways with mature trees on either side.
16th, short Par 4: raised tee area, sloping fairway to a valley and a very large & very,very deep bunker just before the raised green, a lovely semi circle of pine tree at the back of the green.
This course was not in a very good condition, the greens need attention, but the challenge on this shorter course is the many ditches across the fairways, so knowing distances and what club to select is the challenge .
I played the 2 courses with the Pine Tree Society (Roger Akerman's) with a residential stay (mid August) in the cosy, comfortable "rustic" hotel briefly described at the beginning. The food was good, the atmosphere lively, the facilities excellent, the staff extremely accommodating, the surroundings relaxing. Good deals for Societies if you book in advance, same if you want to extend your stay as I did. Easily accessible from London or Gatwick, Brighton not far either, but NO plane noise.
The accommodation (used to be old farm buildings) is either upstairs or downstairs, some have private balconies & overlook the golf course entry is via a big square surrounded by wooden balconies full of colourful flowers, large water fountain (lit at night)in the middle of the square, lovely feature.
The Clubhouse is upstairs overlooking the Griffin 18th green. They serve very nice food reasonably priced.
ProShop is well stocked, lots of Ladies clothing, always prepared to offer the best deal & reduced green fees if you play on extra days during your extended stay.
There are practice facilities. Nets, practice green, and a large open air driving range as well.
Well laid out Car Park providing for Sport Club members, golfers and hotel residents.
A large & separate Reception area for hotel checking.
Very friendly reception all around. I believe that all Pine Tree Society members are unanimous in returning next year for their 2 away days, as conveniently situated, choice of 2 golf courses, pool, Jacuzzi etc.. everyone had a great time. Thanks Roger A. for organising the deal. (by the way, I have already posted the photos...)
Well, this review may seem longer than usual, but it covers 2 courses, a golf hotel etc.. and Ms Lockwood is the writer....
THE END...
Date Sunday, 20, October 2013
