Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Sean_A on August 27, 2007, 02:53:33 PM
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Beau Desert sits at over 700 feet on Cannock Chase, land that at one time was a royal hunting forest then used as a hunting ground for the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. The Bishop created a deer park and hunting lodge named Beaudesert, Norman French meaning beautiful and lonely place. Beau Desert Golf Club was formed from the remnants of the Hednesford and District Golf Club in 1920. After leasing the land at a nominal rate for many years from the Marquess, representatives of the club purchased the golf course at a 1932 auction for £4000 despite only having a mandate to bid £2500. It is rumoured that the two agents were in their cups after a luxurious lunch and bid against each other! A heavy tax burden and generous disposition led the Marquess to eventually knock the price down to £2400 and the completion of the sale was finalized in 1936.
Despite original representations to the Forestry Commission insisting that trees should not come within 30 yards of the fairways, Beau Desert is today a heavily treed course. The lower reaches of the Chase were extensively mined and the trees served to block the views of industry. Unwittingly, this program of tree planting destroyed several thousand acres of heathland which the Forestry Commission is now partially re-establishing. The club too seems to be embracing its heritage by encouraging heather to re-populate the course with the removal of some trees. Due to the mining, subsidence has been a continual worry for the club. “Unruly” greens and the occasional appearance of uninvited hollows prompted the club to call in golf architect F.W. Hawtree. His plan to tame some greens was never fully carried out because the members feared continued subsidence would negate their efforts.
It may be surprising to some that a course so neglected by rating panels could feature no less than three All England candidates in #s 5, 7 & 9. The fifth is a one off and one of the great holes in England. The downhill drive swings hard left and back up another hill, over a large cross bunker, to a narrow green which is low on the ends and high in the middle! The mound front right is a curious feature which impacts the strategy of the hole far more than the framing mounds which were coming into vogue at the time Beau Desert was built. Walking toward the 6th it is apparent that Beau Desert is a hilly course with approximately 100 feet of elevation change and the observant golfer will notice there are distinctly advantageous sides of fairways to play from to counteract the effect of sloping green sites. Utilizing grade level entries to the front of the greens combined with raised backs is a trademark of Beau Desert. If Fowler left these as purely grade level greens, they would not be puttable at practically any speed. The confounding slopes and contours, aided by the subsidence, make up what this author considers one of the best sets of greens in England.
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The mild opener plays over a 19th century gravel pit and can cause more grief than one might expect. The bunkers up the right were recently removed.
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The second used to be more interesting when the tee was left of the 1st green; creating a legger left against the terrain. In recent years the club seems to have taken the decision to play off a tee right of the 1st green. The hole remains good if a bit less compelling. A tricky short hole, the 3rd is visually deceptive in that once on the green it seems like putting away from the tee is uphill when in fact it is downhill.
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A short par 4 legging hard right, the 4th is for many a lay-up hole. However, the downhill approach remains delicate. An All-England candidate, the 5th slings hard left and downhill then climbs to a hard to hit green with a large mound guarding its right side. Tree clearance and bunker work have made a huge difference. Not only is the left bunker visible from the tee, but there is a new bunker on the right at the bottom of the hill. For those who miss the fairway, there is a large crossing bunker perhaps 70 yards short of the green which is very similar to the second hole.
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Looking back toward the tee.
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Behind the green, the front section of the green can't be seen as the two ends are low and the middle is the highest section.
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Dead straight, the 6th plunges downhill to a green which swings wildly left. Some trees behind the green have recently been cleared because the 7th green can be seen from the 6th fairway. Hopefully the penny will drop for the club and the remaining trees will be removed.
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Another All-England candidate, the 7th is a Fowler version of the Redan, although it is quite similar to Gibraltar. In recent years serious tree work is making it possible for the hole to shine as brightly as Fowler imagined. After and before.
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A legger left heading deceptively uphill, the 8th features another green which moves a tremendous amount left to right. The 9th also had tree work recently, though the results are not as dramatic as on the 7th. However, this great hole has been compromised by narrowed cut lines.
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The good short holes continue with the 10th; a carry shot over a cross bunker.
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A typical gulley found near many greens.
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A slippery hole, the 11th moves just a bit more than appearances suggest, bringing the left trees very much into play.
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The green also moves left. There is an odd bit of apron to the rear of the green which would make an excellent Sunday hole location if converted to short grass.
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I used to admire the double dogleg 12th through tight tree lines, however, with the advent of big carry equipment, the gambler's paradise feature of the hole has largely been lost. Cutting over the trees on the right is a weighty advantage which moderate cappers can now achieve. I don't know how the hole was originally intended to be played, but it may be time to clear trees right and left.
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A large mound and swale protect the green.
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Another good hole, the two-shot 13th plays a bit left and downhill. Featuring an outrageous green, the 14th is as engaging as it is difficult. Many greens meet the fairway at grade level because they are built up quite a bit in the rear.
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On occasion there are heather patches on the banks!
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Split by the Himalayas, the three-shot 15th is quite demanding despite its relatively modest length. At one time the Himalayas used to form the horizon with no visible fairway beyond when standing on the tee. Subsidence has slowly lower the humps.
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After a blind second, the lay-up area leaves a troublesome approach. The green shifts left a ton, I think due to subsidence.
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Playing over a cross bunker, #16 is a short hole with yet another difficult green. There can be little doubt that Beau's set of greens is not only one of the largest in England, but also one of the best.
Front left view.
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Front right view.
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Rear view.
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The routing essentially takes the golfer clockwise around the perimeter of the property with several sojourns to the interior. The final two holes close the loop in style. Broken ground once again thwarts the long drive and leaves an approach swinging left on 17.
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The course length isn't onerous, but several holes make it difficult to bang away off the tee; the 18th used to be one such hole. The break in the fairway with two bunkers was split up and staggered during the winter of 2022-23. Its an improvement and distinguishes itself from other late in the round holes such as 15 & 17. Before & after.
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I don't know how many people I have seen fail to make the carry to the immense green. If I didn't know better I would say the yardage markers are incorrect 8) Before & after...after photo taken from 1st tee. The horrible trees behind the green were replaced with a berm.
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There can be little doubt that Beau Desert is one of the very finest courses in the Midlands. Bernard Darwin heaped praise on the course; “Here might be one of the very best of courses for the turf is excellent and there is a flavour of Gleneagles about it. It stands high and is pleasanter in hot weather than cold, for the wind can blow there with penetrating shrewdness.” If one is intrigued enough to visit Beau Desert, be sure to look at the many photos in the clubhouse which highlight what the course looked like when Darwin wrote the above words – absolutely magnificent.
The design may warrant as high as a 2* if the glaring tree problems, obvious short comings with much of the bunker work, poor fairway lines, overly penal rough and greens extending back to near original pads are ever sorted out....I think that highly of this Fowler gem. It would seem the club is tackling some of these issues and it is all the better for the work. Lets hope the good work continues. 2023
Ciao
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Beau is a most enjoyable walk and a fun course. The new dormy house is also very good, with a very good value package of 75 pounds for B&B and a round of golf!
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I last played Beau about 25 years ago whilst living in the midlands..those pictures brought the course back in to the memory banks...thanks very much..
Whittington Barracks down the raod was another course of which I have fond memories.
I remember playing there with Mark James and Martin Poxon..many moons ago.
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So that's how it looks with some light an a little blue sky.
Do you know of the Dormy House is still on offer? It's not mentioned on their website.
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Sean, you lucky dog. I could play British courses the rest of my life and not yearn to play anywhere else. Thanks for all you posts and pics.
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Well snapped, Sean. I was very taken with 16 green. I suppose its omission owes to technical difficulties?
And while all courses, being at some level at the mercy of nature, are subject to change, I continue to remain entranced by the notion of change due to man-made subsidence. Some day perhaps an enlightened client will meet a confident architect and the two will build another castle on the sand.
Mark
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Once again, beautiful pics. Thanks.
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Great pics again Sean. I really must try and get down there one of these days.
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I fully understand Sean's enthusiasm. I was lucky to play this quite a lot as a teenager. I didn't know anything about architecture, and I could never understand why my score was usually about ten strokes worse than at my home course, Lilleshall Hall, which was much narrower through the trees. When I returned to BD as an adult I began to understand why this was so. Whittington Barracks changed its name to Whittington Heath some years ago, but it's the same place. In my youth when there were only Dunlop Bob Charles clubs generally available to left-handers in this country (1960s this is) the pro at Whittington was the only one my father and I knew who might have three or four sorts of left-handed clubs available.
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In my youth when there were only Dunlop Bob Charles clubs generally available to left-handers in this country (1960s this is) the pro at Whittington was the only one my father and I knew who might have three or four sorts of left-handed clubs available.
Mark
That statement brings back a lot of memories. My first (half) set of clubs were Dunlop Bob Charles and as you state there were not many other alternatives! I had those clubs for a good fifteen years and from a sentimental point of view wish I had never got rid of them.
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Sean- I do enjoy your tours. Thanks
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Sean, your efforts are well appreciated. ;D
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Sean, your efforts are well appreciated. ;D
Cheers Adrian!
RJ, I can but try.
Ciao
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Many thanks for the added holes plus update. 15-17 is a wonderful minirun. Would love to see 18 green complex restored as a next step!
Mark
PS How's the gorilla?
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Sean, serious question here, did you hold your camera at your feet when you took these photos? The perspectives from you pictures give a very low key, lay of the land feel, in a bad way. Kind of uncomfortable.
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Sean - Thank you for the great tour. It is nice to be reminded about the "unique" courses that exist on the other side of the pond that provide the architecture enthusiast with an inspiring experience, while reinvigorating a love for the game through originality.
The creativity of Fowler, although devilish at times, is fascinating and embraces so many elements taboo in modern architecture. Just brilliant.
Can someone find a chainsaw . . .
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Sean, serious question here, did you hold your camera at your feet when you took these photos? The perspectives from you pictures give a very low key, lay of the land feel, in a bad way. Kind of uncomfortable.
Ryan
Your observation is spot on. Beau Desert is one of the most unsettling courses I have seen. This is quite a statement considering there is not a drop of water to be found on the course. Fowler uses the land brilliantly to disguise what is on offer. I suspect the use of gulleys rather than extending the grading further out is also an effort to disguise the lay of the land for approaches. It may also have been more economical to use this most unusual method.
It isn't until the end of the course that one gets the impression that he can swing away - on a few shots. I held the camera standing as tall as my frame will allow, and always do, in an effort to give the reader a golfer's eye of the holes rather than offering eye candy shots. At Beau Desert its difficult to get good perspectives because teh land is that hilly, yet Fowler rarely gives us a clear view of what lies ahead, even on downhill shots - see holes 6, 11, 12, 13 & 18. It must be remembered that Fowler, even though he was among the giants of design, was unusual for his day. He was very strongly in favour of lie of the land golf whenever possible and I think his courses bear this out.
Philip and I had a brief discussion the other day about Fowler. He didn't think Fowler's courses were all that different and that some features were repeated in the same manner Colt used the diagonal bunkering cutting from the green side to the middle of the fairway fairly often. Philip may be right concerning the man made elements such as Fowler's use of cross bunkers. However, I have never seen two Fowler courses which were remotely alike except for the Berkshire. Even there Fowler distinguishes the two courses by creating 6/6/6 configuration of par for the Red course. This is quite a crafty idea especially when one considers a club like Walton Heath which has two courses virtually indistinguishable from each other.
Ciao
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Great photos Sean - just reminds me why this course has been on my must play list for the last few years - there are lots of excellent heathland courses (outside of the top-rated ones in the southeast that get most of the coverage) that I have started reading about over the last couple of years but previously never heard of that now look like must plays, such as Beau, Whittington, Ipswich, Delamere Forest, Sandiway, Sherwood Forest, Luffenham Heath, Woodbidge, Aldeburgh, Sherwood Forest and Coxmoor. I will plan a golfing trip for next year with some mates - the Nottingham collection (Notts, Coxmoor, Sherwood) with maybe Ganton first has been favourite, but I have also now thought about doing Delamere and Sandiway and then stopping on the way back to take in Beau Desert and Whittington and another Midlands course that someone recommended to me called Enville?
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Paul, That list is right up my street, the sort of courses I would recommend to others.
Sean, the trees were less luxuriant when I played at BD in the 60s, but the coal mining and other industries round about were still in full (and noisy!) flow and I suspect that members were only too happy to get some screening from the noise and smoke. It was quite the thing to do then, planting trees in huge numbers, and (I'm not being specific about BD) members queued up to donate trees, as today they queue up to presnt benches. There was also a habit of donating flowering shrubs and plantings of flowers to turn the course into a garden.
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Great photos Sean - just reminds me why this course has been on my must play list for the last few years - there are lots of excellent heathland courses (outside of the top-rated ones in the southeast that get most of the coverage) that I have started reading about over the last couple of years but previously never heard of that now look like must plays, such as Beau, Whittington, Ipswich, Delamere Forest, Sandiway, Sherwood Forest, Luffenham Heath, Woodbidge, Aldeburgh, Sherwood Forest and Coxmoor. I will plan a golfing trip for next year with some mates - the Nottingham collection (Notts, Coxmoor, Sherwood) with maybe Ganton first has been favourite, but I have also now thought about doing Delamere and Sandiway and then stopping on the way back to take in Beau Desert and Whittington and another Midlands course that someone recommended to me called Enville?
Paul
Enville is a good course, though not quite up to the quality of some of your choices. Play the Highgate (if you can only do one course) as the front nine there really is something special. Things cool down considerably on the back nine - more parkland golf than heathland. The Lodge also has quite a bit of heathland holes and isn't bad at all. I always say that if the club were willing to scrap the two 18s and go with one 18 hole heathland course it could be an outstanding venue.
You mustn't forget poor old Little Aston. Its is a delightful course and club and still one of the handful of best courses around Brum. Also, and it may be a great surprise to many, Forest of Arden is very good and really one of the unsung best courses around Brum. I spose it is neglected because it is used for a Euro Tour stop. It is possible to get cracking deals with the hotel. Often times, b&b and golf are chucked in for the same price as a room. Beau Desert also has a dormie house which offers good value if you aren't fussed about getting to a hotspot to check out the local talent.
Ciao
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Sean, I'm slightly surprised to see you mention Forest of Arden. I can understand why you would like the back nine, but the front nine is pretty unmemorable to my way of thinking.
Don't forget those other Birmingham forgotten courses such as Sandwell Park, Handsworth and Edgbaston. I have fond memories of Penn, too, but that may be more to do with the little lanes crossing the course which gave admirable cover to young lovers in their formative years....
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Paul, That list is right up my street, the sort of courses I would recommend to others.
Sean, the trees were less luxuriant when I played at BD in the 60s, but the coal mining and other industries round about were still in full (and noisy!) flow and I suspect that members were only too happy to get some screening from the noise and smoke. It was quite the thing to do then, planting trees in huge numbers, and (I'm not being specific about BD) members queued up to donate trees, as today they queue up to presnt benches. There was also a habit of donating flowering shrubs and plantings of flowers to turn the course into a garden.
Mark
I too think the members welcomed a tree screen and still do. However, the trees were never meant to come within 30 yards of the fairways. A photo of #5 taken in 1950 shows a complete forest around the course (only 30 years after opening with a completely open landscape), but the trees are well back from the course. The fairway corridor for #5 must have been 100 yards wide. To be fair, the club has cleared much of the right side (interior side) of the fairway in recent times and the corridor has regained most of its width except for on the left side of the fairway (boundary side) which is a jungle.
About 20 years ago the club agreed to keep the trees within 10 yards or so of fairways when the Forestry Commission did some felling. I think the club was concerned about unsightly cleared hillsides and wanted a tree line to break these ugly views. I am not sure why the FC needs to cut the trees down around the periphery of the course. Perhaps these trees are sold on. In any case, the huge area to the left of 11, 15 green, 17 & 18 has been cleared and I suspect the trees further down the hill will go as well. See pics for #15 green.
Ciao
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Sean
Thanks for the great photos. It looks like a wonderful layout. I like the way the holes fit into what looks to be wild terrain, and the greens really standout. As a minor criticism (based on the pictures) the bunkers appear to be pretty bland and their placement on some of the holes is kind of repative, as a result there are a few approachs that look very similar. From what I've seen this type of bunkering is pretty typical of Fowler, in contrast to Simpson. What do you think?
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Sean
Thanks for the great photos. It looks like a wonderful layout. I like the way the holes fit into what looks to be wild terrain, and the greens really standout. As a minor criticism (based on the pictures) the bunkers appear to be pretty bland and their placement on some of the holes is kind of repative, as a result there are a few approachs that look very similar. From what I've seen this type of bunkering is pretty typical of Fowler, in contrast to Simpson. What do you think?
Tommy Mac
While I would disagree that the approaches look similar because the terrain shifts, the bunkering is not a high point of the course. Many of the bunkers are much deeper than they appear because they are built "uphill" as it were, but some are just awful and others are not at all necessary, but I almost always say this about courses - there are probably 20 bunkers I would remove and my quick count makes about 55 on the course. In fact, many of the low side bunkers save shots from their rightful fate. To be fair, I think many bunkers were added later, especially the low lying bunkers. Fowler was keen on straight cross bunkering which was a bit old school for the time. For instance, Colt turned the idea on the diagonal and often split the sand into 3 or 4 bunkers. Even when Fowler turned the bunkers to a diagonal position he tended to keep the trench like look.
What is interesting about some of the original bunkering is the mix of grass face and the sea shell look with sand splashed up the face. There are a few great looking bunkers surrounded by heather/rough and this highlights what I think is the honest truth about a lot of heathland bunkering - much of it is bland and really gets a visual boost by growing stuff around them. In terms of actually shaping some cool bunkers (not to include what I call sandy waste areas that Colt did and many had to be formalized to contain the sand - my opinion anyway) that can stand alone the only guy I knew who did that well on the heathlands was Simpson. For the most part, if you strip away the growth, the bunkering on the heathlands looks terribly out of place. You can chalk this up with another myth about the heathlands, they don't drain nearly as well as legend suggests.
Ciao
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Thanks Sean - an illuminating and interesting tour, as always. Indeed, a model of its kind!
Just to gloss my observation re Fowler: I noted that others (Mark R I think?) had made this point that his courses all looked different. My only point was that I saw some quite strong resemblances between the bunkering at Walton Heath and Yelverton - both have what I would describe as an almost "rampart" style.
On a related point, and for this reason, I am not sure I agree with Tom that Fowlers's bunkering is bland - not at Yelverton or Walton Heath, and not at The Berkshire (though I agree, to the earlier point, that The Berkshire does not look much like the other two Fowler courses I mentioned). Having said that - and I am not really a Simpson expert - I think some of the Simpson bunkering at Morfontaine is maybe wilder than anything I have seen from Fowler.
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Phillip
I don't know Yelverton so I can't comment. The old photos I've seen of Walton Heath Old & New the bunkers look very similar to Sean's photos at BD. Perhaps they changed over the years, I don't know. I believe Tippett carried out some changes when he worked at the club. Berkshire is definitely a different animal, I agree, but I attribute that to Simpson, who claimed to have worked on that project with Fowler.
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There is one old photo of the 18th green(it's the only one) in BD's club history...from memory it's huge and no trees at all.
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Philip,
Yes it was I who reckoned that no two Fowler courses look alike, but I can't remember anything about the bunkering at Yelverton. More of what I remember is the mischievous way in which the architect utilised the old mine workings to create wicked protection for a number of greens, and also the profusion of gorse plus the old Devonport leats.
I am going to learn more about Delamere Forest as I am going to write their centenary book.
I rather fancy that Bull Bay had no bunkers as built - the site is so undulating that the course doesn't need them - and that those bunkers currently present are merely there to appease those members who say that a golf course must have bunkers! Noel Freeman is visiting it around this time, so we may get a perceptive account of it on here soon. Let's hope so.
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There is one old photo of the 18th green(it's the only one) in BD's club history...from memory it's huge and no trees at all.
Paul
That is correct. The 18th is a huge green and there were very few trees about originally. However, not long after the course opened, about 1922ish, the Forest Commission came up with plans to plant trees around the entire course. During this same period, further to the east, where Beaudesert Hall (one of the estates of the Marquis of Anglesey) was located, the landscape of oaks and other lovely trees was decimated by felling. In essence, the land used for the course overlooked mining works, much of which was owned by the Paget family as well ( they were one of the wealthiest families in the UK until the tax man came knocking after WWI). While the land around the hall (which is now a ruin as it was sold off for bits) was, as originally a lovely parkland. At some point during the sell off of the estate the Forestry Commission bought loads of acres around the course. Eventually, the entire estate was sold off piece by piece.
Ciao
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Sean, just gone through this thread after your St Georges Hill one and again a great set of photos! Though its not far from my home in Derby, I've yet to get to play Beau Desert even though my wife has friends who live nearby in Rugeley. I must get there soon, and as you seem to love it so much I'll let you know if I do as there doesn't seem to be any chance of me heading to Burnham in the near future and it would be good to meet you!
Cheers,
James
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Sean, just gone through this thread after your St Georges Hill one and again a great set of photos! Though its not far from my home in Derby, I've yet to get to play Beau Desert even though my wife has friends who live nearby in Rugeley. I must get there soon, and as you seem to love it so much I'll let you know if I do as there doesn't seem to be any chance of me heading to Burnham in the near future and it would be good to meet you!
Cheers,
James
Just ask Mark Bourgeois and Craig Disher (the other members of our lost caravan) - the hardest thing about playing Beau Desert is FINDING THE DAMNED PLACE. We circled around Rugeley etc etc for about an hour, and finally resorted to having dinner in a pretty low end restaurant and asking locals for directions. :P Luckily the steward was still there when we arrived and opened the bar. He was blessed with a liberal hand at the bottles!
The dormie house at Beau Desert is highly recommended. Two years ago, 75 quid for room, breakfast and a round on that great golf course, a true bargain.
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Sean, just gone through this thread after your St Georges Hill one and again a great set of photos! Though its not far from my home in Derby, I've yet to get to play Beau Desert even though my wife has friends who live nearby in Rugeley. I must get there soon, and as you seem to love it so much I'll let you know if I do as there doesn't seem to be any chance of me heading to Burnham in the near future and it would be good to meet you!
Cheers,
James
James
You are in luck. The Bailsdon Butcher, Elie Mark and the Yank are due to play Beau Desert on 3 October. You are most welcome to join us.
Anybody else interested in coming along let me know. It may be possible to book another time.
Ciao
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If I was still living in England I'd go check out Brocton Hall which isn't far away. No doubt it's not in Beau Desert's class but could be a hidden gem.
PS I still think Harborne is the hidden gem of Brum.
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Sean - you should write a book! I'd buy it :)
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Sean,
I may take you up on that offer if its okay with you. However, what time are you playing? I'm playing Notts that day at about 2 and its not really something I can get out of, but if you are playing about 8 or 9, I may just be able to make it?
Paul,
I played Brocton Hall last year. I seem to recall quite a few short par 4s which as it was matchplay I kept trying to hit it close but sprayed all over the place. Some tough long par 4s on the second nine give it a bit of a tougher edge and 3, 9 and 17 are good par 3s. Website for more info: http://www.broctonhall.com/
Cheers
James
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Sean,
I may take you up on that offer if its okay with you. However, what time are you playing? I'm playing Notts that day at about 2 and its not really something I can get out of, but if you are playing about 8 or 9, I may just be able to make it?
Paul,
I played Brocton Hall last year. I seem to recall quite a few short par 4s which as it was matchplay I kept trying to hit it close but sprayed all over the place. Some tough long par 4s on the second nine give it a bit of a tougher edge and 3, 9 and 17 are good par 3s. Website for more info: http://www.broctonhall.com/
Cheers
James
James
Unfortunately, we have the first time slot for visitors - 10:00am.
Ciao
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Paul,
I played Brocton Hall last year. I seem to recall quite a few short par 4s which as it was matchplay I kept trying to hit it close but sprayed all over the place. Some tough long par 4s on the second nine give it a bit of a tougher edge and 3, 9 and 17 are good par 3s. Website for more info: http://www.broctonhall.com/
Cheers
James
James
Was the land pretty good at Brocton? Nice and undulating?
PS Thanks for the Portrush Valley info.
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Just bumping this to see if Sean's excellent photo tour can entice anyone to join us at Beau Desert this coming Friday?
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As I've mentioned to Sean, I wont be able to make it as I've a round at Notts that afternoon booked a while ago, but hope you guys have a good round, and fingers crossed for some good weather that day!
Cheers
James
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As I've mentioned to Sean, I wont be able to make it as I've a round at Notts that afternoon booked a while ago, but hope you guys have a good round, and fingers crossed for some good weather that day!
Cheers
James
James
You missed a cracking day - fine fall weather and despite the heavy rainfall last night the fairways and greens were in good nick. The NORTHERNERS (well, one northerner and one wannabee) seemed suitably impressed with cunning ways of Beau Desert.
Mark, Andrew and myself are threatening to drop in on Notts for game this winter. Should this happen I am sure we can post you an invite!
All, I updated the pix a bit. Have another look.
Ciao
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As I've mentioned to Sean, I wont be able to make it as I've a round at Notts that afternoon booked a while ago, but hope you guys have a good round, and fingers crossed for some good weather that day!
Cheers
James
James
You missed a cracking day - fine fall weather and despite the heavy rainfall last night the fairways and greens were in good nick. The NORTHERNERS (well, one northernern and one wannabee) seemed suitably impressed with cunning ways of Beau Desert.
Mark, Andrew and myself are threatening to drop in on Notts for game this winter. Should this happen I am sure we can post you an invite!
All, I updated the pix a bit. Have another look.
Ciao
Impressed indeed. I'd say that Beau is easily the equal of some of the London heathland courses (on first play it struck me as superior to Swinley, for instance), though the fact that we got this years one sunny day for our round certainly helped. A wonderful set of greens. Big, contoured and in wonderful condition. Perhaps as quick and true as anything I've putted on this year and that's in October and with some serious breaks to consider. Another Arble recommenmded course comes up trumps, I await the Arble Guide to Great Golf in the UK with anticipation.
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As I've mentioned to Sean, I wont be able to make it as I've a round at Notts that afternoon booked a while ago, but hope you guys have a good round, and fingers crossed for some good weather that day!
Cheers
James
James
You missed a cracking day - fine fall weather and despite the heavy rainfall last night the fairways and greens were in good nick. The NORTHERNERS (well, one northernern and one wannabee) seemed suitably impressed with cunning ways of Beau Desert.
Mark, Andrew and myself are threatening to drop in on Notts for game this winter. Should this happen I am sure we can post you an invite!
All, I updated the pix a bit. Have another look.
Ciao
Impressed indeed. I'd say that Beau is easily the equal of some of the London heathland courses (on first play it struck me as superior to Swinley, for instance), though the fact that we got this years one sunny day for our round certainly helped. A wonderful set of greens. Big, contoured and in wonderful condition. Perhaps as quick and true as anything I've putted on this year and that's in October and with some serious breaks to consider. Another Arble recommenmded course comes up trumps, I await the Arble Guide to Great Golf in the UK with anticipation.
Mark
Stop, you are making me blush, but I expect with a lobster face like mine folks can't tell.
We will have to get over to Little Aston in due time. It too is a good course that I would like to know better. There is also Whittington Heath, but I reckon this may be one for when you are travelling north and can stop in for a go.
I see that Notts reduces their green fee starting about now. Which should chuck up a few dates for a visit. It would be interesting to compare Beau & Notts. The first thing which hits me is that Beau feels very small and intimate (but somehow manages to play bigger) while Notts feels expansive and more brawny, but does have sections of cocooned feel. Personally, I don't think there is anything between the two (mainly due to Beau's superior greens), but with the current tree clearing of Notts it just might pull ahead.
Ciao
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Sean,
Sounds like you had a good day!
I had a great afternoon at Notts. I took the money from fellow GCAer Ben Stephens and I was approx 2 over through 14 holes (wont mention the last 4 as the match was over and we could hardly see in the dark by the 18th) mainly thanks to some good putting after smoothing out my stroke at Royal County Down earlier in the week...
I was hoping to take some photos for posting here but made the schoolboy error of not checking the batteries first! I was suprised that there was some very wet areas but generally the course was in great condition.
I've only played with members recently at Notts so checked green fees for should a game be possible...
http://www.nottsgolfclub.co.uk/visitors.aspx
Cheers
James
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There is a god! On my latest stop of the Winter Tour of England I had one of the greatest surprises in quite some time on a golf course. The green staff must have found an old chainsaw and a tin of petrol because more trees have been felled! Check out the updated Beau Tour.
Ciao
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Sean - you should write a book! I'd buy it :)
Sean, thanks for posting these photos last year. I just went back through them and had forgotten how absolutely beautiful that first hole is, with the drive across the quarry with the heather and the second shot up to the skyline green.
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Thanks for updating this thread. Good news that more trees have gone. BD really is a wonderful course, as good as anythinginland in the UK. I've only played it the once but can recall each hole clearly, a real test of a great course.
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Thanks for updating this thread. Good news that more trees have gone. BD really is a wonderful course, as good as anythinginland in the UK. I've only played it the once but can recall each hole clearly, a real test of a great course.
Mark
Let me know when you want to go back. I am anxious to follow the tree felling as I get the feeling more is planned.
James B was a bit surprised by how difficult the greens were as the photos don't show the slopes to any degree. Mind you, there were a few rather adventurous hole locations that in the summer would be questionable. Needless to say we had a rather scrappy match that perked up near the end with some good play.
Ciao
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There is a god! On my latest stop of the Winter Tour of England I had one of the greatest surprises in quite some time on a golf course. The green staff must have found an old chainsaw and a tin of petrol because more trees have been felled! Check out the updated Beau Tour.
Ciao
Sean
Glad to hear more trees have come out. Hopefully more to come.
Thanks for updating the photo tour. Sorry I couldn't be with you on Friday as one visit to Beau Desert certainly wasn't enough. Hopefully we can arrange another game later in the year.
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There is a god! On my latest stop of the Winter Tour of England I had one of the greatest surprises in quite some time on a golf course. The green staff must have found an old chainsaw and a tin of petrol because more trees have been felled! Check out the updated Beau Tour.
Ciao
Sean
Glad to hear more trees have come out. Hopefully more to come.
Thanks for updating the photo tour. Sorry I couldn't be with you on Friday as one visit to Beau Desert certainly wasn't enough. Hopefully we can arrange another game later in the year.
Andrew (or is it Captain Andrew?)
Give us a shout with some Friday dates. I am always happy to play Beau.
Ciao
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There is a god! On my latest stop of the Winter Tour of England I had one of the greatest surprises in quite some time on a golf course. The green staff must have found an old chainsaw and a tin of petrol because more trees have been felled! Check out the updated Beau Tour.
Ciao
Sean
Glad to hear more trees have come out. Hopefully more to come.
Thanks for updating the photo tour. Sorry I couldn't be with you on Friday as one visit to Beau Desert certainly wasn't enough. Hopefully we can arrange another game later in the year.
Andrew (or is it Captain Andrew?)
Give us a shout with some Friday dates. I am always happy to play Beau.
Ciao
Sean
Two weeks until inauguration. Hoping for some good weather this summer!
Beau Desert is certainly worth another visit. I can't understand why it flies so low on the radar of top English inland courses. Of the various course guide books I've read the only one I can recollect giving it good raps it is Peter Alliss's "Good Golf Guide", which is probably twenty years old.
I'll email you with some dates but unfortunately it is likely to be October before I can find some free Fridays in my diary :(
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All
A Beau Desert day is set up for 6 November. We have one tee time booked, but are happy to try and fill a second time. Anybody interested should give me a shout.
Ciao
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Sean, as always a wonderful phot journey. Good luck to you and those who can join you on the 6th. I'll drink a silent toast to you on that, my birth day.
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Sean, as always a wonderful phot journey. Good luck to you and those who can join you on the 6th. I'll drink a silent toast to you on that, my birth day.
Kirk
As much as I am disappointed that you won't be joining us, I am guessing that you are even more disappointed at being a year older.
Ciao
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Sean,
I would have like to join you at your beloved Beau again but I can't this time as I am playing in a Pro Am at Seacroft that day. Hope to take photos of it for GCA.
Cheers
Ben
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Sean
Thanks for bumping this thread again.
Looking forward to my return visit in a couple of weeks.
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Tucky was in town so Boony arranged a game at Beau Desert. I am not sure what Tucky thought of the course, which btw is celebrating its Centenary Year, but I am sure he will chime in at some point. As has been the case the past few years, some changes have been made. Most notably a bunker was added on the 15th. Anyway, it was great to meet up with Tucky.
Ciao
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Tucky was in town so Boony arranged a game at Beau Desert. I am not sure what Tucky thought of the course, which btw is celebrating its Centenary Year, but I am sure he will chime ikn at some point.
Sean is being a little bit disingenuous here. He should have known from the look on my face (and commentary) that I absolutely loved the course.
Since I've been on the site, I have enjoyed seeing Sean's profiles of courses. Beau Desert looked like it would be fantastic, and it exceeded expectations. So now I don't know what to do. I had sort of hoped that Sean just had the magic touch with a course profile, but if they are actually all better than he makes them look....well that means seeing everything I want to is an even more hopeless task than I thought.
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Tucky
I honestly didn't know what you thought of the course. I was thinking the emergency round was to get a better look and idea about Beau for if there ever was a course which is tough to figure out it is Beau.
You are right, I am generally a bit reserved about courses - its a defensive mechanism against what is now a common practice in all walks of life - grade inflation. I guess I am still waiting for that course or two which really do make me awe of the genius of men.
Ciao
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Changes are afoot at Beau. By my count, at least six new back tees are being built. I spose maybe 150-200 yards will be added - I am guessing the club may have Open qualifying in the near future. More importantly, to build the tees, trees had to come out. There is a noticeable difference playing through the shute on #13 - it is far wider. Also, the tree clearing behind the green to make way for the back tee on #14 is very welcome. I am hoping members dig the look and decide to cut thousands of the buggers down. Anyway, take a look at the updated tour.
Ciao
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Sean,
I was at Beau a couple of weeks ago, just before their big tournament, The Stag, and noticed the new back tees. I did take a few photos which I've been meaning to post to let you and others know of the works, but you beat me to it!
By my count they were on: 1, 2 (though the old mound had been there for a while even if not in use as a tee), 8, 13, 14, 17, 18.
New 8th seen from yellow tees, would have been good if they could have got the tee up on that ridge?
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2012%2005%20Beau%20Desert/IMG_3313.jpg)
New 14th tees seen from current yellow tee. Its quite some way back there, and will now be a real brute of a par 4!
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2012%2005%20Beau%20Desert/IMG_3319.jpg)
New 17th seen from the current tees.
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2012%2005%20Beau%20Desert/IMG_3320.jpg)
New 18th seen from the 17th green
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/jamesboon53/2012%2005%20Beau%20Desert/IMG_3321-1.jpg)
I didn't really notice the extra tree clearance you mention apart from behind the 13th green for the new 14th tee, but as you say, hopefully they will clear out a few more!
Cheers,
James
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Boony
Yes, I immediately thought the same thing about the 8th. Indeed, all the new tees seem to set below the main tee blocks. This could make for some awkward looking tee shots from the backs. As an example, think of Burnham's 14th, how the main tee block is below the forward ladies tee. I never think it looks quite right.
Ciao
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Sean,
Yes most of them looked to be set lower than the main teeing areas, but from an aesthetic point of view I'd rather see that, than some great pimple sticking up with a tee perched on top? ::)
Cheers,
James
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It seems every once in a while I get down on Beau because of trees and rough. I play other courses which enjoy great reps yet don't compare to Beau in terms of green interest, thought provoking design and bedevilment. At some point you have to recognize brilliance despite the course being man-handled by successive unthinking green committees. In short, Beau Desert is special, very special. See the updated tour on page 1.
Ciao
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Sean,
Beau is a course I've long been hoping to tie with a trip to that part of the ccountry. I was under the impression, seemingly mistakenly, that the tree situation was being addressed. Is it still a big problem?
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Sean,
Beau is a course I've long been hoping to tie with a trip to that part of the ccountry. I was under the impression, seemingly mistakenly, that the tree situation was being addressed. Is it still a big problem?
Paul,
Beau Desert is somewhere anyone keen on quality golf and architecture needs to play. If it were located west of London instead of north of Brum it would be far more raved over. They have a lot of Open Comps - entry is on-line but enter quick in early Jan as spaces fill up quickly. As to the trees, the problem is they keep growing and manpower is needed to deal with them. When I was there last efforts to remove some had been made. I'm back there in a few weeks time so will look out for any work done since. Terrific course, lovely green complexes.
atb
Later edit -
here is the GCA link to a thread specifically about the green-sites at Beau Desert with numerous photos taken from different angles around the greens -
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58979.0.html
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Sean,
Beau is a course I've long been hoping to tie with a trip to that part of the ccountry. I was under the impression, seemingly mistakenly, that the tree situation was being addressed. Is it still a big problem?
Paul
Beau is hopeless; the trees will never go away. To be fair, if they thinned out under the trees and cut grass around greens it would be a huge improvement. Even so, Beau is a better and more characterful design than most of the London heathlands. It just takes time to realize it. Let me know when you are coming this way.
Ciao
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Paul
I lie! Beau is cutting back some trees ever so slowly. The major areas at the moment which effect play are on #s 7 & 9. See updated pix for a flavour of change...good and bad.
Ciao
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Sean,
I agree that it is baffling as to why the fairway has been narrowed on the one hole as it reduces the holes quality somewhat. As to why some members would have problems with the changes I suspect that it has to do with the rather desolated look of the opened up areas which look very ugly. Once these areas have greened up you will probably find that most of the grumblers will see the sense of the alterations. It is a shame they left the row of trees behind the one green as it would be far better with the vista beyond the green being opened up.
Jon
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I remember the ninth hole very well. I loved it. I haven't played its new iteration, but I'm not sure it lessons the hole's shot values. There should be some risk not just reward for those trying to drive the green. Why does the fairway need to be wide on this hole?
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I remember the ninth hole very well. I loved it. I haven't played its new iteration, but I'm not sure it lessons the hole's shot values. There should be some risk not just reward for those trying to drive the green. Why does the fairway need to be wide on this hole?
Tommy what about people who are not able to go for the green, why should they be punished? Also, having rough in front of such bunkers lessens the value of the bunker.
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I remember the ninth hole very well. I loved it. I haven't played its new iteration, but I'm not sure it lessons the hole's shot values. There should be some risk not just reward for those trying to drive the green. Why does the fairway need to be wide on this hole?
Tommy
There is a ton of risk going for the green...that isn't the issue. The lay-up now makes no sense. The terrain leans heavily left so guys laying up will now most likely end up approaching from the left rough to a blind hole over a bunker. If I had my way
1. A ton of trees would be cleared near the tee and further up on the right...making the fairway spread much further right...thus encouraging play to a terrible (impossible for most) angle.
2. Place the medal/championship tee on the ladies tee and call it a par 3...~210 yards.
Ciao
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Nice to see some tree removal on the 7th. More generally needed including around some of the tees which have become a bit tight.
As to the 9th, I'm not convinced by the new fairway mowing. More fairway up the right would seem worth at least a trial.
I've never been convinced though about folks going for the 9th green from the tee either - the ball is unlikely to roll up the pretty steep (and narrow) rise onto the green, the green itself is pretty small and from the medal tees it's about a 270 yd carry and if you happen to hit one too far and go over the back, well you're more likely to make 3 from a shorter tee shot, a pitch and putt than you are from over the back where 5, 6, 7 etc is probably far more likely than even a 4.
Top course. One not to be missed.
Atb
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ATB
I have always gone for the green because I really don't like the lay-up option...that leaves a tough approach. In truth I hope to get somewhere level or in the forward bunkers. I don't mind playing from sand and will take that shot anyday over the bottom of the hill. Plus...its fun to have a crack at it :D
Ciao
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Sean,
This raises some interesting ways of looking at the game.
The challenge/thrill/pleasure/pain through the attempt at a given shot or the challenge/thrill/pleasure/pain through the ultimate score on the hole. Or some other basis?
For example, take a decent hcp player who can carry the ball with a driver say 260 yds through the air. Give the player concerned 10 attempts at the hole always going for the 9th green. How many tee shots would be on the green? How many times out the 10 that the player goes for the green would the player make a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 etc?
Also, how challenge/thrill/pleasure/pain may or may not vary between a one-round game or match and a single-round, or even moreso multiple-round, competitive event where every stroke counts and there are prizes at stake. Does success or failure at one shot lead to a frown or a big smile and does the smile or frown from one shot then lead to happiness or grumpiness and effect the players play for the rest of the round (and afterwards)?
Lots of aspect to this fascinating game.
Atb
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ATB
It depends on how straight hitting that handicap golfer is. I would expect a 10 capper to maybe hit the 9th 1 in 10 assuming he is long enough (likely less in truth) and he gets par 6 in 10 by going for it. I think laying back may have the same results...6 in 10. I've seen it go badly wrong both ways :D
The one thing a driver does is open the possibility of a kiss on the card. So yes, from a pragmatic PoV...nearly all should lay-up on 9. I rarely score well around Beau because I am not straight enough. However, I recall once in one of their opens I scored a 77...which for me is awesome round that course...still only 3 shots lower than my cap (Beau is a much harder SSS of 71 because the difficulty of Beau is not the yardage so the system of rating doesn't work well here) I did it by not taking on a single temptation offered by the design. I gotta say, it was a boring round. I recall playing your 12th and 13th a few weeks back by laying up. One time it worked, the other it didn't, but there was no sense of fun on either hole.
Ciao
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Prompted by major GCA enthusiasm (especially from Sean) and the older endorsement of Frank Pennink, I finally got to BDGC on Tuesday afternoon for a quiet midweek round on my own, deliberately following behind three members. As with almost all British inland courses this (very wet) spring and summer, the course was evidently much lusher than normal for July, although the greens were still pleasingly firm and swift. It was a showery, blustery afternoon, and I thought the course lovely, if not perhaps at quite the level some GCA adherents project (but then the experience of one single round is never a good guide): some bits akin to Hollinwell, some bits akin to Swinley, and overall for me at the level of (say) Delamere, which I returned to yesterday with some Harlech friends and which was equally and unusually green and lush for mid-July. Clearly BDGC has an active programme of tree removal, opening up some of the vistas, although the unslightly ring of leylandii (?) around the 18th green presumably has to remain for safety reasons. My only criticism, made before by others, would be of the bunkers, too many of which seemed (in contrast to Delamere) of the flat inland pancake variety. The green sites were every bit as good and interesting as I had been led to believe. Incidentally, at the much-discussed 9th, I went with a driver off the tee, carved right, lost the ball, and ended with a seven. Risk/reward in spades...
£45 on the County Card for 18 holes of this quality was excellent value, and very good bacon and lentil soup too, even if the clubhouse (with its odd entrances, and the large and deserted bar and dining area downstairs) seemed not quite to come together. But lots of mementoes of celebrated midland golfers of the past (Dr Tweddell, the Lunts, Beharrell, etc etc: even Henry Longhurst (Bedfordshire) made a cameo appearance on one poster) to keep this golf historian happy and engaged.
A Staffordshire mini-break of Little Aston and BDGC would make for a terrific couple of days of distinctly English inland golf. And with the £ at its current levels, distinctly accessible to overseas visitors too. Warmly recommended.
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Richard
Your comparison to Delamere is interesting. I think Beau is the better course for two reasons. 1. The greens are miles more interesting...Delamere's biggest weakness. 2. There are more really good holes. Where Delamere trumps is with better rough/tree control...Beau's biggest issues. I need to risk the misery of the M6 and get back up to Delamere.
Ciao
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Sean,
Have you ever played Delamere's very near neighbour Sandiway? Which is the better course is a topic of much local debate.
I suggest a double header one day...
http://www.sandiwaygolf.co.uk/
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Sandiway certainly looks pretty inviting from the weblink.
Not much about the course herein that I could find though.
Atb
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I love Sandiway Thomas, and would put it on a par with Delamere Forest and Beau Desert. Indeed, it has a lot in common with both those courses. I am puzzled as to why it is less well known.
Sandiway is generally thought of as being one of the very best inland courses in North-West England.
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Sean,
Have you ever played Delamere's very near neighbour Sandiway? Which is the better course is a topic of much local debate.
I suggest a double header one day...
http://www.sandiwaygolf.co.uk/ (http://www.sandiwaygolf.co.uk/)
Duncan
I have never been enticed to play Sandiway. I recall seeing photos and thinking there is a lot of much of muchness going on with the bunkering and shape of holes. What are your thoughts?
Ciao
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All
See the updated tour. More importantly, it looks like the club is going to work with the Forestry Commission to aggressively tackle the tree issues. So far as I can tell, in year 1, which might be this winter, not sure:
Left of #s 1, 2 & 4-8 will be dramatically thinned up to the paths.
There may also be some clearing on the right from halfway down 6 to halfway down 8. If not, probably year 2.
In year 2 left of the last half 8 through and 9 & 10 to be dealt with.
The large swaths of interior trees are also being targeted. Surrounding the 16th is a target. The huge area of trees between 12-15 9 and halfway up 13 are other targets.
There are also some plans for more exterior work, but that is not yet confirmed.
Hopfully, in the next few years we will see a radical transformation of the course with between 50 and 75% of trees in targeted areas removed. Now we can only hope the club recognizes its poor bunkering for the course to shine as it should.
Ciao
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All
See the updated tour. More importantly, it looks like the club is going to work with the Forestry Commission to aggressively tackle the tree issues. So far as I can tell, in year 1, which might be this winter, not sure:
Left of #s 1, 2 & 4-8 will be dramatically thinned up to the paths.
There may also be some clearing on the right from halfway down 6 to halfway down 8. If not, probably year 2.
In year 2 left of the last half 8 through and 9 & 10 to be dealt with.
The large swaths of interior trees are also being targeted. Surrounding the 16th is a target. The huge area of trees between 12-15 9 and halfway up 13 are other targets.
There are also some plans for more exterior work, but that is not yet confirmed.
Hopfully, in the next few years we will see a radical transformation of the course with between 50 and 75% of trees in targeted areas removed. Now we can only hope the club recognizes its poor bunkering for the course to shine as it should.
Ciao
Sean,
As you know, I joined Beau last year, in large part thanks to yourself.
I don't know what's considered year 1 either, but significant tree clearing was carried out last year in a number of areas:
Right of 4
Between 11 and 12
Left of 12
I am probably missing a few as that's off the top of my head, but as you suggest, there is a multi-year tree management program in place.
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Sean, that is a welcome change. I'm not sure how playability will change but it will be grand to open up some vistas. This is one of my favorite places and I remember our day so well. I can't wait to get back.
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Tommy
After the hugely more playable clearance on 7 its hard to fathom the club would not want to move ahead with more tree clearance. I think it would help a bunch when trees are cleared left of 2, 5 & 6 and right of 6. I don't think plans are firm for 11, but clearance on both sides, but especially left would really help playability. The hole makes little sense now as trees take away probably 5-7 yards of prime approaching area on the left. I think clearing right of #1 would also be good. Just from an aesthetic PoV, clearance behind the 3rd and 6th greens and all down the right of #5 across thru 15 and up to 12 would be good...imagine the cool views! Being treed in fairly in recent in history, Beau is not blessed with a significant number of cool trees....probably 90% could go!
Ben
I hope you are enjoying your membership. I am back on Monday!
Ciao
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I played Beau a few weeks ago after a gap of probably 3 yrs and was very pleased so see how much tree removal had taken place. Lots more so go I suggest, but then Rome again was wasn't built in a day and all that.
Another tree related area is low lying, self-seeding scrub. There's quite a bit at Beau that could also be removed. Not just Beau either. Far from it. Almost all UK inland courses, whether heathland or parkland seem to have large areas of scrub and self-seeded growth under and within trees. Clubs really ought to keep this in check and with modern machinery it shouldn't be that difficult if programmed properly. And once it's been cut back to ground level it can often be mown with the usual rough cutter and then it will stay low or non-existent and not require 'blitzing' in the future.
atb
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I played with Sean at BD last Tuesday and thought it was magnificent.
One note of caution with the wholesale forest removal that has taken place beyond the boundary. Judging by a recent Google Earth, it would seem these areas have been replanted, so enjoy the views whilst you can.
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I am far more concerned about the tree reduction for playability and agronomy reasons. That said, there are some good opportunities for interior views with tree removal.
I played Beau today and the course was nearly perfect. The few hit days have firmed things up and the greens were running a perfect speed. I don't think I have ever seen Beau look or play better.
Ciao
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After a gap of a couple of years I made it back to wonderful Beau Desert and what a delightful course it is.
Some photos below as refreshers as to its general delightfulness and Herbert Fowlers magnificent green complexes.
atb
Below - from rear of 18th green
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiyFnx5WsAcvjsL?format=jpg&name=medium)
Below - from rear of 5th green
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiyIKpDWkAEfM0U?format=jpg&name=small)
Below - from rear-left of 6th green
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiyIKpGWsAEtoAd?format=jpg&name=small)
Below - from rear of 14th green
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiyIKpEX0AgalDM?format=jpg&name=small)
Below - from front-left of 16th green
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiyIKpAXkAI_0oo?format=jpg&name=small)
Below - from front-left of the 5th green
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiyMjt3XYAoM8Pb?format=jpg&name=small)
Below - from right side of 9th green
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiyMjt7XsAAGm0X?format=jpg&name=small)
Below - from rear-left of 16th green
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiyMjt8WsAAoSim?format=jpg&name=small)
Below - from rear of 7th green
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiyMjt7XgAYd1bj?format=jpg&name=small)
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Hi Folks,
Just a quick update on tree removal at Beau. We are in the midst of another round of tree clearing on various holes so I'll share some photos as I have them. The first set are from 5, 6 and 14. Apologies for the poor quality but they were from my phone on a horrible day of weather!
Note these are from more than 1 week ago now, and I know there has been further clearing on 5 (greenside), 14 (greenside) and 15 (tee) in the last week, and more planned throughout the winter.
Hole 5
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50698860807_d9d41d5444_c.jpg)
Hole 6
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50698778656_c6da33f1f6_c.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50698778716_c531063003_c.jpg)
Hole 14
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50698035148_7d1661ffaf_c.jpg)
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Ben
Thanks for the updates. It's remarkable what can be accomplished once the ball is rolling downhill. It's very satisfying since I have long admired Beau Desert's design. I want to have another look!
Happy Hockey
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I was fortunate to play Beau Desert yesterday with Ally Mcintosh in the most perfect September weather imaginable.
Last summer, we were both very lucky to be able to play Crystal Downs with Tom Doak and we both felt that the greens at Beau Deesrt bear distinct similarity to those we experienced at Crystal Downs. The severity of the camber is what sets them apart. The Crystal Downs greens are quicker and more treacherous, whilst BD's run at 9 or so and are therefore manageable but confounding.
If BD's greens were up at 11 or so they would be unplayable. As they are they were great fun and as a set, one of the most distinctive in the British Isles.
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Hey Doc, what do you think of the work on 18?
Ciao
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Definitely a similarity between Crystal Downs and Beau Desert greens with the on edge amount of tilt applied to many of them (i.e. minimal softening over the years). Some of the rolls and undulations on a few of the greens were also reminiscent.
I thoroughly enjoyed Beau Desert but did not fall in love with it. Outside the greens, I’m not sure there were enough standout holes. Really liked 5,6,7 tumbling down the backside of the property… 9 & 10 was a cute wee corner if a little more claustrophobic than it needed to be. Plus the strong finish (much down to the greens).
1st tee-shot and approach in to 18 are stunning but Sean, to answer your question above, I wasn’t overly enamoured with the added bunkers splitting 18 fairway, even if the primary objective was to force a layup on the grounds of safety. I’m led to believe by Robin that the work at the green site is a huge improvement.
Still, fantastic day and above is just being choosy. To steal from your own playbook, who needs great when very good gives us all we want.
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I am not sure what you mean about 18. The new bunkers opens up the drive. The number of bunkers is the same, just repositioned.
Ciao
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I am not sure what you mean about 18. The new bunkers opens up the drive. The number of bunkers is the same, just repositioned.
Ciao
I don’t know what was there before?
I just saw newly shaped mounds and bunkers with such a narrow fairway in between that no-one in their right mind would ever think of taking it on (if they were long enough).
What was there before?
EDIT: After heeding Robin’s advice below to look back at earlier photos, I see the change. From a functionality point of view, it makes no difference: No-one takes that slot on. From an aesthetic point of view, it opens up the view to the green nicely.
I wouldn’t have kept the left bunker if an option was desired to be added from the tee. In addition, it’s blind from the white tee. I didn’t know it was there until I walked up and found my perfectly struck tee-ball within three feet of the edge.
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Ally:
I did slightly misrepresent Sean's thoughts. Looking back through this thread you can see that 18 previously had another fairway split, which stopped the drive in its tracks. The change has added the space between the bunkers which wasn't there previously. I think I misheard Sean's criticism of how it used to be as criticism for how it is now.
That said, it is still narrow and i would think very difficult to thread through that gap from the high yellow tees, which hit into a downslope. We played off the lower white tees and were hitting into the camber, which helped to hold up the ball.
I like the work at the green. It is much, much better than before. Those Leylandii were horrendous. The very worst example of committee led design you could wish to encounter.
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I much prefer the drive and green now compared to last year. It reduces the huge advantage biggish hitters had over the likes of me.
Looking forward to more tree removal and bunker work completion.
Ciao
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Ally makes a good point about the left fairway bunker. You can't see it and anything falling down that camber leaves a semi-blind approach around the trees. That seems penalty enough. Ally hit a lovely 4-iron into the green, but couldn't quite turn it over enough and found the right bunker.
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Ally makes a good point about the left fairway bunker. You can't see it and anything falling down that camber leaves a semi-blind approach around the trees. That seems penalty enough. Ally hit a lovely 4-iron into the green, but couldn't quite turn it over enough and found the right bunker.
It's 50/50. Also a good saving bunker. Lots of lost drives up that way. The real solution is to remove more trees on that side of the fairway.
Ciao
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Anyone have a photo showing the changes to the 18th that they could post?
Atb
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Anyone have a photo showing the changes to the 18th that they could post?
Atb
David
There are a few photos in the recently updated tour.
Ciao