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THE PLEASURE OF PAINSWICK
The headline is not a statement for masochistic delight, though at times in the round, the thought could be excused. There must me a very strong attraction, when an auctioneer from Shropshire, a book collector and an engineer from Somerset, and a journalist from Hampshire drive to meet in Gloucestershire. The reward was a delightful day playing the course at Painswick.
HOCKLEY GOLF CLUB - ON TWYFORD DOWN
When I first came to Hampshire over twenty years ago, I had two names in my list of must play golf courses, my appetite whetted by the descriptions given by colleagues who live in the area. As I drive up the M3 my glance to the right reminds of that first visit. Taking a day off, after solving some of the difficulties of re-locating, I headed to Hockley Golf Club, and introduced myself to Terry Lane, the club professional at the time, who told me he had been at the club for ever.
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS
There was a rapid expansion in the game of golf in the twenty years before the First World War. The newly formed clubs would invite the golfing celebrities of the day to design and to open the course when completed. The common denominator for these stars was to have won the Open Championship. Willie Park Jnr had done so on two occasions, his father before him had won four times, so golf flowed in the family line.
THE PLEASURE OF PAINSWICK
The headline is not a statement for masochistic delight, though at times in the round, the thought could be excused. There must me a very strong attraction, when an auctioneer from Shropshire, a book collector and an engineer from Somerset, and a journalist from Hampshire drive to meet in Gloucestershire. The reward was a delightful day playing the course at Painswick.
Luton Hoo
Luton Hoo, Elite Hotels latest superb restoration project opened this Autumn, nine years and with £ 60 M invested to return Robert Adams' palatial designed Mansion House to its proper glories, a project that combined with the building of a superb 18 hole Championship golf course in the grounds of the Hotel - grounds which were sculpted by the greatest of them all, 'Capability' Brown.
THE SECRET IS OUT
DONNINGTON GROVE - From the moment you drive over the ballustraded stone hump backed bridge, flanked by ornamental ponds, and look toward the house, you realise that you have a treat in store. The drive to the club is impressive, with the driving range nestling to the left hand side, alongside the water. There is an air of history, fully justified by the record books, and the ancient Donnington Castle still stands guard over the scene. The castle was built in 1386 by Richard Abberbury under a licence granted by Richard 11. All that remains today is the gatehouse, still impressive on the skyline.