I have known this course for a long time, going back to childhood holidays. As the previous author Luke has already stated, there is little chance of disappointment when playing this course.

It is hard to pin down a favorite hole; there are too many differing holes that the natural topography combined with the visual aesthetics this links course has to offer.

The opening par five gives a great taste of what is to come, as the fairway approach to the green reveals the backdrop of the Camel estuary and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. The blind downhill dogleg left par four third is a challenging hole, and will catch out the uninitiated. The next big challenge is the "Himalayas" par four sixth. The green is visible from the tee, but generally not for your second as the huge bunker and associated hill will be between you and the green that gives this hole its daunting name.

The ninth is a classic looking hole, but not the most difficult on the course; that is the tenth. This year, for the first time, I managed to par this hole, an ambition I have held for a long time. It felt more like an eagle! The tenth is a par four 457 yard SI one card wrecker! The tee is elevated at the head of the narrow valley that is the undulating fairway below and beyond, between out of bounds on the left that is bordered by the stream and Brae hill. On the right, the fairway is flanked by a very high sand ridge that extends the full length of the valley, almost to the hole, covered in thick "clumpy" grass. Your second shot (if playable!) is a dogleg left to the green that is still bordered by the stream on the left, whilst the ridge on the right follows the dogleg and gradually reduces in size up to the little Church that gives the course its name. The poet laureate John Betjeman is buried in the graveyard of this church. References to this area are recounted in many of his works, including the fourteenth hole of this course.

The sixteenth hole is a 560 yard par five with one of the best links views in golf. It follows the estuary up stream with views of the island in the mouth of the estuary, to the old lifeboat station and moving further up river to the fishing village of Padstow. Summer months see a wide range of activity on the river, ranging from sailing boat racing, motorised pleasure craft of all descriptions going hither and thither, wind surfers, kite surfers, the estuary ferryboat and water taxi and the flagship of Padstow's leisure craft, the "Jubilee Queen". Classic wooden built power boats dating back to the 1960's take fare paying passengers around the bay as well as fishing boats for a more leisurely trip. Dolphins and basking sharks are seen regularly in the estuary.

The Eighteenth has an elevated tee for a 469 yard par four final hole. The clubhouse lies directly beyond the green, so make sure your second is on target and you may just get expressions of admiration you justly deserve from the members and guests watching your every move!

I played St Enodoc about 3 years ago on a wonderful sunny Sunday in late September, the reception on arrival was a little frostly considering the fourball I was playing in contained all cat. one golfers. Having been told about the course from various friends I was very disappointed with many of the holes on the course, it seams as though the designer ranout of space when first laying it out.

Apart from the first few holes and the last 3 I found that the rest were a little disappointing, even dare I say mickey mouse. The best part of the course was the quality of the greens not the layout, it is a shame the course was not all to the same standard as the first nine holes and the last 3.
After playing Trevose on the same weekend I found that St Enodoc was not in the same league.

Burgham Park in Northumberland. Designed by Mark James.

This is a thinking mans course, especially off the Tee. Strategically placed fairway bunkers, left to right and right to left doglegs, uphill and downhill holes all make this an interesting and challenging layout.Off the medal Tees, the shortest par 4 measures 399yds the longest being some 463yds. With 10 par 4s in excess of 399yds the average golfer is stretched to get up many of them in 2. Off the yellow Tees, a greater variety of length par 4s is available, from 349 to 474yds. There are not many water hazards, but what there is, are well placed. There are limited OOBs also. Greens are generally large and several have deceptively subtle contours. Would have liked to see a wider variety in size.

No negatives re design whatsoever. Mark James has used the natural contours to great effect. The course is mature relative to it’s age. Memorable holes include the 4th, a short par 5 at 511yds providing a good risk and reward option for the more accomplished player. The 9th, well placed bunkers in the crook of the right to left dogleg, guide one to play the ball to the right where a wall and stream await. The approach will generally be from 200yds out with the stream running down the right and into a pond behind the green. The 13th, a big decision is required off the Tee, to aim short of, between or over 2 beautifully placed bunkers. The 18th is the signature hole, and off the medal Tees, what a gem. A tree, fairway bunkers and an angle stream are all in contention off the Tee. Even if you thread your way through this maze with a long drive, there remains 200+ second downhill to the green in front of the clubhouse. A real gem.

All Tees were level and evenly cut. Fairways were well defined with a light semi and then heavier rough. There were 2 visiting societies the day I played and I spotted only 2 un-repaired divots throughout the round, the fairways were excellent. Greens were consistent, they were holding even on longer approach shots and they were extremely fast. The putts ran smoothly and true. Almost all the Tees had rubbish bins, sand receptacles, a pictorial image of each hole with all hazards shown. Most impressive were large stone obelisks and strategically placed benches on most Tees. This was a well drained course (although a little wet in places following very heavy rain the previous day) offering year round play. Bunker sand was consistent with a rake for each bunker, however some of the larger ones would benefit from 2 or more rakes. No greens staff were observed but they had done a sterling job.

The welcome in the pro shop was excellent, the course planner being one of the best for information and accuracy that I have seen. The pro was helpful and knowledgeable. Without exception, every member spoke and were extremely pleased to see a new face. Practice facilities were very good with 2 putting greens. The larger green having 18 holes and is situated in front of club house. The pace was a little slower than those on the course but as said previously they were extremely quick especially for the time of year. Plenty of targets on the practice area but only a few yardage indicators. The locker room was slightly disappointing as it was a little cramped, showers were available. The clubhouse welcome was great, a lady with a beaming smile served a wonderful hot beef stotty and pot of tea.Green fees for visitors were very good value for money.

Sept 2008.