Hi Everyone,Any views on this Golf Club? I was told it is a nice course/club to join.
Charles
I was a member getting near half that time ago, so I'm probably similarly 'impaired' - and there have certainly been changes to both the courses and the overall complex since.Posting a review from almost 50 years ago might not be so relevant, nice story though. ?
A couple of points that I believe are still relevant though....
It's expensive.
It's not a 'members' club. The owners view the Golf side as something that attracts customers to the resort - in the same way as per The Belfry and other 'Golf Break' organisations, but the Club certainly 'pays its way'.
It's clay based (apart from a couple of holes), so drainage/wet weather has and will always be problematic.
2 very different courses, both of which are nice in there own ways - and both difficult! Longcross is shorter and more unique - seemingly carved from a forest, so a premium on being straight; Bernard Hunt (He was the original, and long serving, Pro and a fabulous guy, so the 'Chertsey' course was renamed in his honour and it was always a joy to see him hitting balls so smoothly at the range) is longer and generally the harder of the 2. I actually preferred the BH, but would generally showed guests Longcross first - as it's what's 'special' about the place. There's also a (short) Par 3 course (BH's 'baby') that's great short game practice.
Additionlly, but might not be 'current'
There were several (4 that I knew of) 'swindles', all with their own 'rules' regarding 'fees' and handicaps. One had the facility to gamble (heavily if desired) but that was not necessary; one (early) was for guys that wanted a quick competitive round and to be home long before noon; the other two were more mixed and social. I joined the 'BH Students' one (part of the 'fee' was allocated to an annual dinner (at one of the member's restaurant) where Bernard and his wife were invited guests), though played in 2 of the others occasionally.
I left mainly because I was working (and playing golf every evening) in Edinburgh, so couldn't justify the cost and time involved balanced against 'family' time at weekends.
