This Winter, Discover Challenging Golf and Breathtaking Views: Play South West England’s Altantic Links Trail
To a golfer, there is nothing quite like the thrill of standing high on a windswept hummock, facing into a strong ocean breeze, a five-iron in your hand, fescue grass all around and a chance for birdie if you can only carry that pot bunker that’s just in front of the green. Want that challenge to be yours? Then consider the south west of England for your next great golf adventure.
England’s Atlantic Links is a collection of six championship links courses in South West England that has established itself as one of the UK’s premier golfing destinations. The courses included in the group are Trevose and St Enodoc in Cornwall, Royal North Devon and Saunton (two courses) in Devon and Somerset’s Burnham & Berrow.
Together these legendary, award-winning championship courses have made their mark on the global golfing map as a tantalizing trail of ancient links golf set against the wild and dramatic backdrop of the north Atlantic coastline.
The UK website (www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/) which describes itself as ‘the only independent website dedicated to the best golf courses in the world’ has placed Saunton East, Royal North Devon and Saunton West in the top three spots in the Top 20 courses in Devon whilst St Enodoc and Trevose are the top two in the Top 10 in Cornwall.
Meanwhile Burnham & Berrow, which acts as either the gateway or the grand finale to the Atlantic Links, has been ranked first in the Top 10 courses in Somerset to give the championship links tour a full house by topping all three rankings.
In spite of being the very best in three counties, the Atlantic Links courses represent unbelievably good value. From November, when the winter green fees kick in, all six courses can be played for just £261 in total (approximately $400 US).
Thanks to the temperate micro-climate of the south west the green keepers are able to maintain the links in immaculate condition throughout the winter and ensure they remain open all year round.
The winter green fees for the individual courses that comprise the Atlantic Links are:
- Burnham & Berrow – £45
- Saunton East & West – £48
- Royal North Devon – £35
- St Enodoc – £45
- Trevose – £40
The Atlantic Links courses may not be as high profile as those of Scotland or Ireland but this cluster of ancient links lacks nothing in terms of pedigree and is rich in history and tradition.
Testament to their quality, all six courses have hosted major amateur championships over the years. Last year for example Saunton hosted the English Amateur Championship whilst St Enodoc was chosen to stage the English Women’s Amateur Championship.
Off the course, the south west is a charming holiday destination; its stunning scenery and its artistic & cultural attractions, glorious gardens & sweeping sandy beaches, numerous sporting activities as well as the gastronomic delights of Rick Stein, Jamie Oliver and Nathan Outlaw and local pubs offering traditional fare.
Press Release from Helen Heady, Director of Public Relations, Atlantic Links.
For more on the Atlantic Links golf courses, go to www.atlantic-links.co.uk or for Golf Packages, please contact info@countrywide-golf.com or T:+44(0)1637 879991.
Have you played the courses in the south west of England? What three words with describe your experience?
