Hunstanton – There is No Place Like Home

Already in the shop we feel at home with advice and forewarning concerning the walking paths, water obstacles and a blind par 3. The putting green becomes a place of conversation – “We are to follow two giant Swedes – is that you?” A week ago the Ladies British Amateur Championship was played and the course in tip-top shape. In the changing room there is a leather bag from the R&A. The sun is shining and there is just enough wind. The 1st is a par 4 – 319 yards – with the tee at the same height as the bar, marker posts and a gigantic sleeper-lined bunker. What delight- a birdie. We play away from the clubhouse with a big smile on our lips. The 2nd and 3rd are tough two-shotters. The 6th is a short par 4 – well-bunkered with elevated green demanding accuracy. The 7th – a par 3, 152 yards – has skyscraper-high sand dunes to the left crowned with a bench and a gigantic sleeper-lined bunker, which acts as a wall, in front of the green – Links75 class. The 8th and 9th are consecutive par 5s. On the 10th there is a monolith commemorating the high-water mark from 1978. We get supportive cheers from the group behind. Suddenly, we slalom over the ridge; the 12th a short par 4 – blue peg; the 13th a short par 4 – red peg and finally the 14th a 212-yard par 3 – blind towards the flagstick.

14ht, blind par three! Hunstanton

Then we see it again – the black dog. Sherlock where are you? The home stretch – 15th is a wonderful par 5 which demands course management. The 16th – par 3, 159 yards – has its own story. In 1974 the region’s annual foursome was being decided. Robert Taylor would never forget it. On the practice day he hit a hole-in-one with a 1-iron on the 16th. On the first day of competition he hit a hole-in-one with a 6-iron. On the second day he once again hit a hole-in-one on the 16th with a 6-iron. One doffs one’s hat! A hat-trick.

Reminder of three hole-in-ones, Hunstanton

MrJ 4/2. The 18th is a brilliant finish with elevated green next to the 1st tee – fully visible from the bar. LINKS75 breaks 80 and feels completely at home.