LINKS75 are booked in as the day’s only guests. The starter takes us out and points to the 10th tee. The air is clear and crisp and the weather fantastic for a Friday in November – Guernsey lies on St Ouen’s Bay’s horizon and awaits us. We head straight out into a cliff links landscape with sand dunes. The Jersey Open was played here between 1978 and 1995. We immediately run into our good friend Martin Hawtree, who has been working on the 10th, 11th and 12th holes. The 11th hole is a long par 5 with rolling fairway and superb green. The 12th – a short par 3 – with wonderful bunkers and run-off areas.
Par 3, 12th La Moye
A brilliant beginning in fantastic surroundings. The 13th hole turns back towards the clubhouse, with sand dunes showing the way. The 15th hole – a par 4 – looking straight towards the sea with a steep border on the right-hand side. A breath-taking view. The last three holes run parallel, the 17th being a wonderful hole with a final green raised above the waiting sea. A perfect end that today is just the beginning. Back to the clubhouse. The weather closes in. The 1st hole – a short par 3 – a birdie straight away. The 2nd and 3rd holes wander among buildings and out-of-bounds pegs and we don’t know where we are. The cold sets in and our mittens keep our hands warm. The 4th hole finishes again down by the sea and we can breathe again. The 6th – a par 5 – with the green facing the sea. Suddenly, the clouds break, the sun shines and shadows are long – a birdie of pure delight. The 7th – a wonderful par 4 of high links class, 372 yards long with water 260 yards away. A second shot towards a high marker post and a raised green – birdie! Mr J 4/2.
7th, La Moye
The 8th goes past the clubhouse and the 9th turns back – two tough par 4s that complete the circuit of the front nine. LINKS75 goes round in par. Once again we look out over the sea, the dunes and Guernsey. A sensation of links à la carte.
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