Alderney

No excuse needed to go to Alderney, previously it was cricket or sailing but now it was for the golf.  Nine holes with additional tees to make a proper eighteen.  A solid, small, but determined membership keeps the club running.  They were doing a roaring trade in take-aways when we arrived; a lesson that many clubs could profit from. 

A good solid par 4 to open and a green that allows you to survey almost the entire island.  They say it is the most fortified island in Europe and I am sure the residents are happy to repel incomers and keep this place for the wildlife and their own enjoyment and who could blame them.  It is stunning.

The third takes you down the hillside and is an interesting hole because the more you take on the dogleg the more the hill side helps you.  The fourth is the second short hole and nearest the sea. The views unwind with every hole out to France, or over Braye beach and harbour, as the course turns up and around the hillside.  The ninth rises highest and is a very awkward dogleg with no prisoners taken if you cannot find the tiger line to the fairway or you must choose to bale out a long way left.  I am afraid, however, that it is sadly not a links course and therefore does not make my list. But I would commend it for the resilience of it’s membership, the wonderful views and atmosphere and a jolly loop of golf. Please don’t let the club die out like the famous Alderney cow.

All in all a lot of fun, a good overview of the island, and a very generous donation to Alzheimer’s Society for which huge thanks to a community club.