If Trevose has tended, over the years, to be slightly overshadowed by the likes of its near-neighbour St Enodoc and the wonderful East and West courses at Saunton then it well and truly emerged into the sunlight by holding the 2008 English Strokeplay. Also known as the Brabazon, this event attracts the cream of amateur golf from all over Europe, if not the world, and it is only played on courses of the highest calibre. Invariably presented in impeccable condition, it is immediately obvious how lovingly it is maintained.
With a nine-hole course and a par-three layout also on site, as well as accommodation options in the form of flats, bungalows and chalets, few courses offer more for the travelling golfer.
At a glance, the remarkable winning score of Hornsea’s Steven Uzzell of 19 under par for the three rounds might suggest that Trevose did not present as formidable a challenge as some venues but in fact there were several mitigating factors.
First and foremost, the low score was a testament to the fabulous condition in which Trevose was presented.
Miserably wet weather would have rendered many courses unplayable; at Trevose it merely meant the greens were so receptive that the field could have been forgiven for thinking they were playing inland golf in America rather than on a British links.
Trevose was designed by Harry Colt in 1925 and is owned by the Gammon family, who treat the course very much as their pride and joy.
Then there was the relative absence of wind, as important a part of Trevose’s defences as it is at any true seaside course.
Factor in a par of 72, that could just as easily have been reduced to 71 or even 70, and that Uzzell won by a margin of four shots, and you begin to get a clearer picture. The players themselves had nothing but words of praise – and that is no surprise.
From the strongest of opening holes where a dune eats into the right half of the fairway, Trevose is a wonderful test. Yes, it has a selection of par fives that offer eagle opportunities for the expert, but it also has par fours that are scarcely shorter.
Depending on wind direction, it is quite possible to reach a couple of the par fives with a drive and a mid iron yet require two woods to threaten the likes of the 5th and 12th. These two holes are truly monumental par fours, both measuring in excess of 460 yards and climbing steadily uphill.
Only two holes are played alongside Booby Bay, and one of them, the 4th, is surely the outstanding hole at Trevose. A reachable par five more often then not, the second shot is blind and downhill to a green that sits on the edge of the beach.
Trevose was designed by Harry Colt in 1925 and is owned by the Gammon family, who treat the course very much as their pride and joy.
Invariably presented in impeccable condition, it is immediately obvious how lovingly it is maintained.
With a nine-hole course and a par-three layout also on site, as well as accommodation options in the form of flats, bungalows and chalets, few courses offer more for the travelling golfer.
It is the perfect base for a trip to Cornwall – and means you have no excuse not to visit this special part of England in the very near future.
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