Not so long ago it would have been impossible to imagine that one would be flying to the Czech Republic to visit Prague and to travel the countryside playing golf. What would be more unbelievable will be the history of some of the fascinating courses that were visited on the trip.

Your home course is a place for you to play, and compete, with your friends. You may not play at the most beautiful golf course but every eighteen (or nine) has its highlights and nuances, as well as its trouble. It's the combination of both the visual (popularist, individual, subtle) and the thoughtfulness of the design that gives you the satisfaction of being good enough - or more often not - to enjoy the experience of even a handful of holes. The better the course, the better the experience.

Having been a frequent visitor to France for many many years, one of the first discussions is the method of travel, and then the route. Experience has taught that it is far better to travel by car, particularly when it is for an extended stay, and further that for us based in the south of England, the ports of Portsmouth or Poole become the obvious choice.

A day visit to play golf at the Souillac Golf and Country Club last autumn was just enough to whet the appetite for a return visit to enjoy a stay in one of the delightful Scandinavian cabins. The drive to Souillac from the South is quite spectacular, there are so many magical sights, it is impossible not to stop to take in the views.

After the peace and quiet of southern France, the drive to the Radisson Hotel was a shock to the system. As Paris nears, the traffic intensifies, and after a few weeks of seeing few vehicles, it is very noticeable. The peripherique was more manic than ever I remember it, and it was a relief to arrive and check into the hotel.

Many years ago, on my first visit to Romsey, I drove down the A3507 from Andover and into a village, where to my fascination all the houses were painted in the same dark green colour. Curiosity got the better of me as I passed through, and I made a U turn and returned to the village shop to enquire about this unusual situation.

The past two years has seen many changes at Old Thorns, changes that are part of a substantial investment programme which will cost in excess of twenty million pounds and that was undertaken following the acquisition of the estate. The programme, which commenced in April 2007, has been undertaken to ensure that Old Thorns will be at the forefront of the premier golf and leisure resorts in the South of England.