Played the golf Non-ITL Invitation in Nefyn in 2021. It was won by Russell Newton with 39 points (Sixes comp). We played the Prestatyn, Bull Bay, Porthmadog and Nefyn golf courses. Some information and photos below. We played there 24th to 27th May and stayed at the local Travel Lodge (2 nights from 23rd – Gloddaeth Street, Llandudno, LL30 2DD, United Kingdom, Sat nav postcode: LL30 2DD) and also the Premier Inn in Caernarfon 25th and 26th (Victoria Dock, Balaclava Rd, Caernarfon LL55 1TH).
Prestatyn Golf Course
https://www.prestatyngolfclub.co.uk/
Marine Road East, Prestatyn, Denbighshire. LL19 7HS
Prestatyn Golf Club, Championship Links course in Wales and is set in 150 acres of unspoilt links land. Voted in the top ten winter links, the stunning course, welcoming clubhouse, and challenging design offer a truly memorable golf experience. The temperate climate and natural land structures ensure that golfers can play on the greens all the year round. The traditional championship course, 6808 yards off the blue tees and 6564 yards of the medal white tees is firmly placed on the Welsh Championship roster. The prevailing south west winds are a feature of the course and the lower flighted shot allows golfers to utilise the natural rolling links landscape.
Some Photos:
Bull Bay Golf Course
Bull Bay Golf Club, Amlwch, Anglesey, LL68 9RY
Few places can rival the spectacular setting of Bull Bay golf course, an 18 hole championship course with a blend of traditional and modern, lush fairways and superb greens. The course was officially opened in August 1913 and designed by the renowned course designer, William Herbert Fowler. He made the most of the undulating land that nature provided at Bull bay and had no concerns about asking the golfer to take on blind shots and carrying some major distances. Once played you are certain to return.
The growth in the popularity of golf at the start of the 20th century owed most to the prosperity of the middle class and membership of a golf club became an increasing feature of social standing.
It was against this background that Saturday, August 16th 1913 saw the official opening of the Bull Bay Golf course. The laying out of the course and the building of the Clubhouse was borne by the Marquis of Anglesey on whose land the course was set out. In establishing a course at Bull Bay the Marquis hoped to develop the area as a holiday centre, especially as there were also, tennis courts and a bowling green built on the club’s land. The course was designed by Herbert Fowler of Walton Heath G C – the Marquis having engaged him to design another course for him on land at Beau Desert in Staffordshire. Fowler made the most of undulating land without any concerns about asking the golfer to take on blind shots or carrying lengthy distances.
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Porthmadog Golf Course
Club House, Morfa Bychan, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9UU
http://www.porthmadog-golf-club.co.uk/
The Porthmadoc and Borth-y-Gest Golf Club was first registered with the R&A in 1905 and the first hundred members paid half a guinea as membership fees. By May 1906 the nine hole course was in full use with Lord Harlech as the inaugural President.
Initially, the Club had only an annual rental agreement but in June 1910 a long term tenancy agreement was signed with the owner of Garreg Wen farm. The agreement stipulated that golfers must be on their best behaviour (as they always should be!) but in particular they were not to take any game, hares, rabbits or wild fowl and were to pay compensation for any sheep, cattle or any other animal killed or injured by them- potentially problematic as the farmer retained grazing rights other than for bulls or other “savage” cattle! They were also not allowed to play on Sundays and not to diminish the level of water in Llyn Samson – now part of the estuary. One has to wonder what the weather was like a century ago for the landlord to be concerned about water usage. Several contemporary photos of Samson’s Bay are in the Course Gallery.
James Braid is a true legend of golf course design and has probably been involved in over 400 courses. At the peak of his activities he would often simply stroll round a course, make some simplistic illustrations on the back of an envelope and then send it together with an invoice to the Club concerned! The precise timing of his visit to Porthmadog is not known but it is likely that it was around 1910 as that was when the long term tenancy was signed and in 1911 Nisbet’s Golf Year Book lists a proposed extension to 18 holes.
Irrespective of his particular recommendations , there are certainly features of today’s course that have all the hallmarks of classic Braid design such as Par 3’s that play in four different compass directions and bunkers such as those on the 11th and 12th holes bordering Samson’s Bay.
Some Photos:
Nefyn Golf Course
Clwb Golff Nefyn Golf Club, Lôn Golff, Morfa Nefyn, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 6DA
Perfectly situated on the spectacular northern coastline of the Llŷn Peninsula, our 27 hole layout consists of an 18 hole Championship Course, which not only offers golfers a rich variety of breathtaking views and scenery, but also a constantly changing set of challenges which require, if at all possible, the golfers full attention.
In addition, you can also choose to play our world famous ‘Point’ which offers 9 holes of breathtaking golf along the thin stretch of land that encroaches out into the Irish Sea. During allocated tee times, the ‘Point’ can be played as an 18 hole course when paired with the Championship Course’s front nine or as part of a 27 hole package.
Mark Whitfield 