Sunday October 24 was not a good day for two members of the puregolf2010 party. Because they had been led astray in London by a group of kiwis. Yours truly, sitting here sober and smug, decided for the first night in puregolf history to pike, which proved to be a sensible, perhaps even mission critical decision.
So as the car pulled away from Clapham Junction there was not a lot of chat as we made our way to destination Walton Heath the New Course. I was behind the wheel â?? it was a matter of necessity.Â
The Walton Heath Golf Club has been outstandingly kind to us the last 2 weeks. When we played the Old a couple of weeks back, the assistant professional James said to not hesitate to contact him if we were looking for a place to play when we were back in the area. And so we did and the new course was arranged although unfortunately we didnâ??t manage to time it so that James (a half kiwi a bit like us) could join us.
After playing the Old course off the purple tips we sensibly made the call to have a whirl from the white tees today.  Any further back and JP wouldnâ??t have mustered the strength to get it to the fairway on the first hole (the fairway on the first is about 50 yards from the tee). JP called on my finest banter to get him around the course, and after an initial slump through the first 6 holes during which he realised his preparation for this match was poor even by JDâ??s standards, we managed to both thoroughly enjoy the course.
The New course is easier than its elder brother and the heather is not as prominent. The bunkering is also much friendlier and the wind was benign today compared to our last foray here. It is a magic piece of land Walton Heath. The two courses roll in and out of one another and youâ??re continually passing other golfers, dog walkers and joggers on the property. It never feels crowded though, just popular. Pace of play is not an issue here either â?? before we went out a group of gentlemen came into the pro shop saying â??good day out there lad, and we got around in under 3 hours tooâ??. No messing about in that four ball.  Fast golf is good golf.
heather galore on the stroke one 5th - the best hole on the course doglegging right, the cross bunkers below just short of the green, visually intimidating but should not come into play if you steer clear of the heather.
Walton Heath is the final qualifying course for the US Open. The US Open has very few automatic qualifiers and so the qualifying is a huge part of it. Seasoned professionals still take the time to go through qualifying the gain entry into the tournament. A few years back one such seasoned pro qualifying here and went on to win the US Open at Pinehurst #2 â?? Michael Campbell.  Now there is nemorabilia about Camboâ??s feats up on the clubhouse walls. A good kiwi moment.
Now youâ??re probably wondering whether JP was still standing come the 10th hole but first I will digress to our manager / physiotherapist Bart who was also a little off top form. In fact, really, Bart was not up to much today, so we opted to park the Tank in the far corner of the public car park out of view across the road where Bart fell into a deep slumber only to be woken by the boot opening and clubs pouring in some 3 hours later.
above - the par three 10th hole
Now JP was very much still standing by the 10th hole and it seemed his complete lack of sleep had not affected his short game whatsoever. In fact he was dancing around par for most of the round after it took him a couple of holes to realise how to muster the strength to swing the club â?? if you were watching him for the first time youâ??d think he was like one of those annoying schoolboys who had so much talent only to be distracted by pubs and women. JPâ??s been flushing it for weeks now and judging from today nothing could stop him as he nonchalantly knocked it around in +2, beating me (grinding away and loving the track) by a stroke. The only putt he missed all day was a 6 footer on the last for birdie, although even after then JP, who is never ever happy with his putting did admit to â??a good day on the greensâ??. I think Loren Roberts would have said the same after that performance.  Â
Golf finished with the 18th hole that mirrors the par four on the Old, it was back in the car, driving (again by necessity) with two tired lads sleeping their way through the 3 hour or so journey to Dover, where we realised the nearest hostel was back in Canterbury, turned around, booked ourselves in and Bart & JP hit the hay (for 12 and 14 hours respectively). I chatted with a Canadian chap called Nenad traveling Europe by himself. I could relate to him after ding the same for 6 weeks a few years ago. Itâ??s a strange sensation having nothing planned, no-one to spend time with and the world at your feet to explore.  Nenad said, London by yourself - so many people but one way to feel very alone â?? which I could relate to, itâ??s not a place that has a great pull for me,
Putting up the photographs above I realise that may well be our last heathland experience for the year. Â This style of golf has become one of my favourites - it is distinctive in it's own right like the sandbelt courses in Melbourne, fun to play and the heathland courses have generally been extremely well designed and maintained. Â I hope to one day come back to this part of the world to try out this genre again!
So all in all this Sunday was a Long Day but itâ??s all part of the fun. Thanks to Walton Heath, and James when you make it back down to NZ weâ??ll finally have a game!
Posting comments has been disabled.
Glad you guys had a great day and look forward to seeing you guys before you both depart!
Posted by James G, 31/10/2010 8:50pm (3 years ago)
Chisholm Park
12 holes bart cape kidnappers christchurch christmas doak ed bayley hawke's bay heretaunga jane poole napier golf club new zealand puregolf2010 rangiora rarangi gc royal royal wellington the first tee the interislander waiohiki
