By Nigel Butler & Suzanne Lenaerts
Wentworth Club - West Course, it is a thrill just knowing that this famous old course, often referred to as “Burmah Road”, has hosted countless Ryder Cups, Walker Cups, PGA and World Matchplay championships. It is a bigger thrill to play the tight tree-lined fairways, the tough par 3’s (the 2nd hole being an absolute gem), stay out of (or get out of) the impressive bunkering and carry the relatively long distances from tee to fairway. Presenting the course in a pristine condition is clearly a tough challenge on such a heavily played course, and is usually achieved with great success. The overall impression you'll come away with is having played the world’s best known wooded heathland course, with its many unforgettable holes - something you can muse on at the 19th in one of the most impressive clubhouses in golf.
Although overshadowed by the more famous West course, the East Course is not a course to neglect; it is another Harry Colt gem. Like the West the course it is laid out over undulating wooded heathland, a very natural setting where the chattering of local bird life is abundant. Although shorter than the West course (it is a par-68), the quality of the holes and degree of shot-making required is equally challenging. Particularly on the back-9 there is more of a heathland feel to some of the holes, which reflects the pedigree of the course and its relationship to the abundance of other great heathland courses in the county of Surrey.
Completing the Wentworth triumvirate of top golf courses is the Edinburgh or "South" course. Like the East and West the course is maintained in excellent condition, despite the hard wear and tear it gets from near constant use (although one of the courses is "rested" each winter). Otherwise, there is a real Club (vs. Corporate) feel to the Edinburgh; it is wonderfully laid out in a beautifully wooded and gently undulating setting, with many great dog-leg holes. Is it worth the high green-fee? We can only recommend that you play the course and make up your own mind.
Wentworth hosted a Great Britain vs. USA golf match in 1926, laying the foundations for the Ryder Cup matches, which officially started in the USA one year later. The Ryder Cup returned here in 1953, the USA defeating GB&I by 6.5 points to 5.5. The Curtis Cup, also came to Wentworth Club in 1932 (USA 5.5, GB&I 3.5). Furthermore Wentworth Club – West Course is a PGA European Tour course and regular home to the Volvo PGA Championship and the World Matchplay Championship.
About the Author: Suzanne Lenaerts and Nigel Butler, much travelled golfers have played more than 800 courses. They created http://www.where2golf.com with the aim to help travelling golfers find the top golf destinations around the world. http://Where2Golf.com distinguishes itself from existing golf information sources by offering a unique and wide-ranging online golf course guide, currently featuring Top Golf Courses in UK and Ireland, Continental Europe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and specific destinations in the USA.
Source: www.isnare.com
