AFTER all the hoo-ha about Rory McIlroy’s recent round of golf with US President Donald Trump, I decided to play it safe with the choice of partner for a round at Collingtree Park Golf Club and invited my friend Martin Harris.
Although I love playing golf and have my moments, my very high handicap reflects my ability, so I knew I could rely on Martin, as a single handicap player and a former captain of Northamptonshire Seniors and Northampton Golf Club, to give an accurate assessment of the course.
Back in 1845, the poet Robert Browning had some home thoughts from abroad and penned ‘O, to be in England now that April’s there’. It came to mind on the day of our visit to Collingtree, albeit a few days short of April but, without doubt, the best day of the year so far – warm sunshine, no wind, in essence a perfect Spring morning.
Collingtree has matured into arguably the best course in the county since it was designed and opened by former Open and US Open champion Johnny Miller and there is a definite American look and feel to the 18-hole par 72 course. Water, such a prominent feature of many golf courses in the United States, comes in to play on 10 of the 18 holes culminating in the signature 18th green, which is on an island behind a lake.
But water does not dominate the course. There are some stunning views and wildlife to enjoy while negotiating the 6,776 yards and on a day like the one we were lucky enough to have, it just made the whole experience all the more enjoyable – even with my somewhat limited golf ability.
Since 1992, Collingtree Park Golf Club has staged a variety of high profile events, including the British Masters and European Tour events. This year, the PGA EuroPro Tour returns in August having last been held at the course in 2013, and the week-long event is being filmed by Sky Sports for transmission later in the year.
These events have attracted some of the best-known names in golf, including Neil Coles and Sam Torrence, while Darren Clarke, the former Open champion and Ryder Cup winner still holds the professional course record – a 10 under par round of 62 in the 1995 British Masters.
From the outset, there was little likelihood that either Martin or I would be knocking Mr Clarke off his perch, but the signs were encouraging for a reasonable round with par 4s at the gentle opening hole, mine being achieved with a monster putt of at least 20 feet. All 18 greens were in magnificent condition and could not be blamed in any way for our putting lapses at some holes.
Water comes in to play for the first time on the fourth hole. There is water to the right and the river is to the left, although out of sight, but there is enough fairway to negotiate these hazards without too much difficulty, which we both did.
Hole five is the first par 3 and I was informed by Martin was one of two holes on the course featured on a golf programme he had watched on television the night before – the other one being the infamous 18th, of course. And it was here where I had my first foray into water and, unfortunately, not the last but it in no way damped my spirits.
Like many courses, the recent heavy rains have taken their toll and there was a trolley ban on the day of our visit, but we were provided with a buggy with the proviso that we kept to the concrete path which runs round the course. As we wended our way round, we were able to enjoy some stunning views of the landscape bursting in to life and daffodils dazzling in the sunshine and even a couple of amorous swans on the lake in front of the 18th green.
And so to the 18th. On my previous visits to Collingtree I have, inevitably, ended up in the lake. But not this time, although I did catch the bunker as I tried to lay up in front of the lake. We both managed to find bunkers during our round, but the high quality sand made it a reasonably easy task to get out of them. And so it proved on this occasion to leave me with a reasonably easy shot across the lake to finish off with a one over par six to complete a thoroughly enjoyable round in superb weather, on a course which is in excellent condition, and which has rightly won praise from golfers of all abilities, and in the company of a good friend. No mention of Brexit, Donald Trump or a Scottish referendum passed our lips.
Of course, no game of golf is complete without a visit to the 19th hole where we relaxed with a coffee and a sandwich. There is also Greens Restaurant and Bar which, since it opened in 2004, has become a well-known venue for mouthwatering food, award-winning Sunday lunches, a number of themed events and key date occasions and can stage weddings and private parties.
Collingtree Park Golf Club offers a collection of varied membership packages that suits all abilities and ages, including corporate membership. On May 10, Collingtree Park is staging a Corporate Masters event for local businesses. The day consists of a four-ball better ball team Stableford competition with a 10am shotgun start, preceded by registration, buffet breakfast and ending with a two-course meal with prize presentation. The entry cost is £199 per team.
For further details email or telephone Brenda Scott on 01604 700000 ext. 205.