Popping the Cork at Bunham and Berrow

It felt like a celebration of golf while I walked the links at Burnham on the Sea, of England's West coast.  I believe those who are fans of the course will be able to re-live my first timers excitement and I hope those who have not seen this great links will be able to go there someday!

I had a day off and the sun decided to shine, it was a glorious Winter day in England.  I swallowed a quick breakfast and began a two hour drive from Poole on the South coast.  I arrived in plenty of time to smack some practice balls, enjoy this sign, 

A good omen for practice before any round on the links!

slap some putts, and have a brew (coffee, although I have seen many a pint consumed in English clubhouses before noon on any day of the week!).  Is it time to tee off yet?!  I get paired with three young lads who tell me they are posting scores today and I propose we played a match as well.  Stabelford it is, how delightfully English and confusing for me!

1st Tee
Notice the large dunes on the horizon.

My broad impressions for the day included:

Blustery and Sunny, "out and in" routing, marching into the wind back nine, a difficult test.  I obviously want to play the opposite wind, it will be like unwrapping the gift of great links golf all over again.

#1
Notice my playing partners climbing the massive dunes on the right of the photo.

The opening holes are a tough and captivating start to get the juices flowing.  The golf leads you through large and irregular dunes, leaving uncertainty about what shot will be required around the corner.  The following holes 4-8 scale down a bit, but not in strategy, while skirting around the wild dunes in the heart of the golf course.  The middle part of the round  9,10,11 exhibit a brilliant use of subtle and “flatter” terrain as a link back to the commotion within…

Blind Tee Shot #10

#11
Flat but not without golfing interest.

Holes 12-18 continue to build the crescendo as you move back through the dunes.  Getting to the 18^th green is a relief, with a chance to make a flat putt.

#18 The Home Green

Burnham and Berrow reminded me in many ways of North Berwick in Edinburgh.  Both have a funky start in irregular terrain and exhibit a brilliant use of the subtle ground to link up with the more dramatic holes later in the round.  Both golf courses also use this dramatic terrain late in the round to build to a terrific climax.

#16 Green
A wonderful spot to end a golf hole.

B&B has many unique green sites and approaches to the par 4’s and 5’s.  Two punch bowls (3&15), a couple of “turtle backs”, a few shoulders on the side of dunes and others on dune tops.   The 16^th green is possibly the best greens I have ever seen.  It’s a miniature and twisted version of the crazy green at Sitwell Park or any other such inspiration.  Its in a league of its own.

#16 Green Surface

A pint of bitter helped me soak in the experience of the day.  I’m glad I played with the locals as well or I surely would have scored even worse.

I can't wait to go back already!

A Self Qualification in Golf Architecture

Cal Club
California

Broadstone Golf Club
England

In the last year I have accumulated an extraordinary amount of frequent flier miles in pursuit of even more experience around the world of golf.

From the start of 2012 I have been to exactly 60 golf courses on 3 continents, in 8 different countries.  I'd also like to highlight my work experience on exciting and ambitious projects in Uruguay, England, Nebraska, and New York.  This work has allowed me to study and test out the essentials of the worlds best golf courses, in many different cultures.  It is the beginning of my 5th year as a golf design professional and I am prepared to take on the responsibilities of a golf architect in addition to my playing and construction expertise.

Technically I can't be a golf architect without clients.  In 2013 it is my goal to retain at least one client and help them express the best qualities of their golf course in a matrix of design, construction, and maintenance.

Sincerely,

Jeff Stein

Dismal River Continued...

18th Hole, Par 4

In my last post I used the phrase "latest and greatest remote destination.." to exemplify the kind of golf course which creates buzz and excitement around the world of golf.  This year that golf course is Tom Doak's latest design at the Dismal River Golf Club, in Mullen, Nebraska.  It is a golf course successful in its virtue of modern minimal design.  I can say this with accuracy and truth as I have participated in the construction first hand.  Even the few holes which required significant earth movement, were only disturbed in part to connect fairway landing areas and add playability.  The 2nd and 13th greens required NO earth movement whatsoever.  They were both tilled, cleaned, and planted as we found them.

2nd Hole, Par 4

I believe all those involved in the project all believed in and tried to emulate the principles of design which Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw pioneered at the Sand Hills Golf Club back in 1991.  Today both of these golf courses exist in remote and often harsh conditions.  Where Sand Hills has stood the test of time, Dismal River follows in its foot steps, adding to the wonderful golf experience that can be had in the Sand Hills of Nebraska.

 3rd Hole, Par 3

My contribution to the construction and design of the new course at Dismal River started by mowing out the prairie grass, but I was mostly on the business end of a rake.  No matter what the task it was a really special privilege to be a part of this vision in the Sand Hills and to help create a legacy for world class golf in this region.

 5th Hole, Par 3

6th Hole, Par 4

Mercer Oaks, West Windsor, NJ

The small NJ commuter town of West Windsor must enjoy some of the best municipal facilities in the Northeast. Members of the community play for just $24 mid week, have access to a lightly used grass driving range (half are mats for colder months), and two thought provoking 18's. Now you have just seen me write affordable, thought provoking, and NJ all in the same sentence! It is a first for me but this is what public golf is all about in West Windsor and could be seen as a great example of how best to grow the game one community at a time.

Try to carry the bunkers or tack around to the right
on this reachable par 5.

The latest greatest remote destination course builds excitement in the world of golf but it will
not create the type of ground swell needed to grow the game from the roots up. Mercer Oaks
is the type of golf facility which should be applauded for its accessability and overall quality of experience. Junior play is also supported here with green fees of just $15. Also to the point of accessibility and enjoyment are the 5 sets of tees ranging from 5400-7000+.

More options abound off the tee on this reachable par 4.

The range of options for all levels of golfers from children and seniors to top level
amateur play creates an  opportunity for everyone to have fun. The fairways are also wider than average to create some strategic options and
alternate routes to the hole.  I always enjoy coming to Mercer Oaks because you get the most for your money here. The staff clearly care about maintaining the best possible product and my last visit justifies this praise once again.

Weaker players still have a chance to bounce a shot up the left side,
while the more accurate players are still challenged by the green side bunkers