John O’Gaunt Golf Club (Main) Bedfordshire, England
John O’Gaunt Golf Club (Main) Bedfordshire, England
Rating: ****
Sutton Park, Sandy, Biggleswade, SG 19 2LY
Nearest main town: Biggleswade
Fred Hawtree is primarily known in the British Isles for his work on Hillside, the less illustrious but gorgeous neighbor of Royal Birkdale in South port. One of the lesser works on his CV is the Main course at John O ‘Gaunt, a course located not far outside Biggleswade in Bedfordshire. Cut through parkland, it is a course with a wonderfully British feel and design.
British golfers generally have a preference for links, heath land and woodland golf (in roughly that order), so it comes as no surprise that John O’ Gaunt is never too busy and can, as a result, usually be found in exceptional condition. It is by far the best course in the county, and holds all the important county and regional competitions.
In truth, it is part woodland and part parkland, but the trees rarely interfere with your line of sight and merely provide the backdrop for the two par-5s and three par-3s. It is long at around 6500 yards. There are a number of par-4s of over 400 yards, the pick being a 472-yard par-4 that the members grudgingly approach as if it were a par-5. Two of the finest holes on the course are the 10th, a par-3 where trouble lurks all around, and the 17th, where the green is located on an old castle mound.
With the fairways cut to curb aggression, and the greens small and well-protected, John O’ Gaunt could be labelled unfair. You may even feel that there are not enough par-5s and par-3s to break the monotony of the 13 par-4s. But you’re unlikely to come away from John O’ Gaunt being anything but impressed with its condition and certain that there is nothing to beat it in the area.
Playing : Midweek: round £50.00; day £50.00. Weekend: round £60.00; day £60.00.
Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 9am-9pm. Bar snacks.
Comments: Can be unwelcoming for non-members….. Challenging with delightful, changing views. .. A very natural course with a river influencing play on four holes. .. For better than the Carthagena … Very exciting. .. Wonderful feel to this club.
*** Free Golf Lessons ***
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