John O'Gaunt Golf Club (Main) ****

Sutton Park, Sandy, Biggleswade, SG 19 2LY

Website: www.johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk

E-mail: admin@johnogauntgolfclub.co.uk

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.

 

Secretary: Mr S. Anthony (General Manager) 

Tel: 01767 260360/Fax: 01767 262834

Professional: Mr L. Scarbrow   

Tel: 01767260094 Fax: 01767 260080

 

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.

 

Aspley Gnise & Woburn Sands Golf Club ****

West Hill, Aspley Guise, Milton Keynes, MK17 8DX

Nearest main town: Milton Keynes

 

Secretary: Mr R. Norris 

Tel: 01908583596/Fax: 01908 583596

Professional: Mr C. Clingan  

Tel: 01908 582974

Playing: Midweek: round £28.00; day n/a. Weekend: round £38.00 (prior booking only); day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 11.30am-1 0.30pm. Food: lunch and dinner from 11 am-11 pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: This course just makes you feel good - enough said. . . Heavenly greens, accuracy at a premium... Play the percentages here as there are plenty of big trees... Undulating heathland with silver birch... Make your score on the front nine... Heathland beauty in area bereft of good golf.