We head off to Wales to play Conwy, which was founded by a number of members from Royal Liverpool in 1890. We wait for our tee-off time in the bar while it pours down outside. One after the other the members come in after the 10th hole and pronounce judgement on the day’s indescribable weather. We empty the bag and let Goretex be the day’s watchword. Sou-westers on. With Snowdonia as a backdrop and the Irish Sea in front of us we drive from the 1st tee. Already after three holes we feel like we are on a proper links course. The 4th starts with a classic links plaza as it intersects with the 10th. This stretch of course is challenging.
Tough conditions at Conwy
The rain eases off and the clouds partially break up. The 7th heads towards the sea with a cauldron-like green 429 yards away. The 8th and 9th holes run parallel in opposite directions. The 9th, a 505-yard par 5, challenges one to great deeds but the scene has already been set. The 10th, a fantastic par 5, utilises gorse, contours and bunkers to create an extreme challenge of high links standard. We turn toward the clubhouse and head off into a really tough finishing stretch. The 11th is a half-blind drive over gorse into a headwind. The 12th provides us with a real links test. Suddenly the wind increases. The rain returns. We hit our irons low. The slightest slice takes us into knee-high grass or wet sand. It feels like we will never reach the green.
Wet!
A bright yellow rescue helicopter flies low overhead – Take us with you! The holes take turns to change wind direction. The 14th is once again a par 5. A tailwind takes us to the green with lightning speed – suddenly we are putting for eagle. The 15th, a par 3 of high links standard, requires loft and backspin. The 16th and 17th are two narrow par 4s that demand accuracy and length both in a head- or tailwind. We are forced to search for a ball. In a verdant bush we find it – a ball with “VVS in Dalarna” printed on it. We smile. We are not alone. The 17th is a magnificent par 4 that demands more than we can manage. Mr J wins 2 and 1. Finishing the 18th we make our way smiling to the clubhouse where our knowledge of Douglas Adams and his 19thC landscape paintings is enriched. We will return to Conwy one day.
Douglas Adams paintings
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