Canford Magna has two eighteen hole courses, appropriately name Parkland and Riverside, if you are only playing one, it will be a difficult choice to make, since both are in first class condition and a very good test of golf.

Although they are comparatively young, the courses were first opened in 1994, they were designed to fit into the landscape of mature trees and lakes, and the meadows which run along the River Stour. The mature broadleaf trees have been enhanced by a diligent programme of planting of new trees.

Whilst the courses are recent, the land that they occupy is steeped in history. The estate and the stately home were once owned by the Guest family. They had accumulated their wealth from iron and steel, and sold steel for the Trans Siberian Railway in the early 1800's.

Later the land and gardens were sold to Earl Wimborne, who loved the land and laid out wonderful gardens and avenues of trees, trees that remain today and line the fairways of the Parkland course. The avenues were built to take his visitors from the house Canford Magna, in stately carriages, to the nearby station for their journey back to London, after the enjoyment of a society weekend in the country.

The architect of the Parkland course is the renowned Howard Swan, and he has created a layout that is inviting from the tee, but then poses questions, as he uses the water courses and avenues of trees to collect any stray shots. The headline would hardly be appropriate to describe this course, a test for any golfer.

The large undulating greens are to USGA specification, and they have great variety of shape, and are a real challenge the first time that they are played. At 6560 yards from the medal tees, it is not a monster, but there are sufficient long par 4s to make scoring far from easy.

The first hole, at 440 yards sets the standard from the off, the lake in front of the tee should not be in play, but it still manages to accumulate balls aplenty. Short par 4s are mixed in to provide relief and a offer a chance of a birdie if the drive is well placed, the 2nd and 6th on the front nine and the 11th on the back are prime targets.

The chance to score well is a temptation for that little extra effort on the drive, but only the best place will give the reward. The 9th hole has water in play from the tee and on the approach to the green, and is a hard finish to the first nine. The back nine has several holes that stay in the memory, the 12th, 14th and the last hole, all with water and needing that little extra attention.

The course records are held by Roger Tuddenham with 64, and amateur Matt Fletcher with 65, Matt also holds the record on the Riverside course with a superb round of 63.

There is some debate about which are the signature holes on the two courses, that in itself tells a story, on the Parkland the 9th and 13th were cited, with the 13th and 18th put forward on the Riverside. I would find it hard to disagree with any of the suggestions, but in terms of challenge, the 9th on the Parkland might just get my vote.

The Riverside course is a little shorter, but once again water is the challenge, with the lakes threatening the wayward drives on several holes, including the par threes. The round has barely got under way, and the when you are faced by the 5th and 6th and the possibility of watery graves.

The opening four holes give the possibility to get a good card going, particularly the 3rd and 4th holes, where good drives will give birdie chances. Make the score early, as things get harder thereafter. The course runs alongside the River Stour, and it is hard to ignore the scenery, especially when the swans and waterfowl are taking youngsters out for a morning parade.

After the 13th, nominated by the pundits for star rating, the run for home begins, not many easy shots here, with the need for good drives on the fairway to gain any possibility of picking up shots. All in all a very good test for the day, two first class courses, which will challenge any golfer, especially from the back tees. One of the privileges of playing for a course review, is that we can try out the options, without wrecking a good card.

There is a positive atmosphere throughout the centre at Canford Magna, busy but not hectic, and it is obvious that they are accustomed to handling the number of golfers that visit and play on a regular basis. In addition to the two courses, there is also the nine hole Par 3 Knighton course, the ideal venue to hone the performance on the short holes, or when time is too short for a full round.

Adjacent is the Golf Academy, with indoor and outdoor bays, putting greens and short game area. Head Professional Martin Cummins has a full team of teaching professionals, available at all times, and each weekend they runs 'The Canford Kids' when three hundred youngsters come to the complex for tuition.

With all the various facets on site, Director of Golf Stuart Hudson and his Course Manager Brian Green have a big task, but the condition of all the courses is testament to the dedication and the commitment that they and their team display.

A full membership list is not so common these days, and when viewed alongside the number of visitors and societies that are accommodated, it goes without saying that the quality of the golf courses is a significant reason.

In addition to the well stocked shop, there is a club fitting service available at the centre, Paul Henley offers a fitting and club repair service on the site. It is no surprise that Canford has hosted regional and County events, and is home to the John Jacobs Golf Classic, and several other major charity events. They are all well handled by the team without fuss, a mark of good organisation.

On the day of our visit, we chatted with four lady members from Highcliffe Golf Club, taking the opportunity to visit and play the course in the fine weather. The one piece of advice was that it is always necessary to book teetimes well in advance, as there is rarely a time when the are spaces. Visitors are not only local, many travel to stay in Bournemouth and Poole and regularly come to Canford Magna, we were told of a group who travelled all the way from Iceland to enjoy the Dorset golfing scene.

The courses are not the only success story, the clubhouse accommodates regular social events, and the Sunday lunches are always in demand. With the excellent facilities, capable of seating 120 to dine, and 200 for evening functions, it is a popular choice for wedding parties. Over forty are held at Canford each year, and there could scarcely be a better setting for the photographs.

This is an undoubted success story, but far from sitting back on the laurels, there is a continuous process of development and investment throughout the complex. The course has been the centre of investment to date, but there are new developments in train. Planning permission has been granted for a new forty six bedroom hotel on the site.

This will incorporate a Health and Leisure Spa. It is anticipated that construction will commence later this year. These on site facilities will be an added convenience for visiting golfers and members alike. Although still early in the concept stages, there is the longer term prospect of a third golf course. There is ample land available for the concept to be tackled, but with the current hive of activity it may be some time before that comes to fruition.

Canford Magna is a success story, an idea translated into a thriving golf club, created by good management, investment in up to date resources and more importantly in the quality and numbers of staff.