The Golf

Harry Colt, acknowledged forefather of the British golf architecture, was engaged by Tarrant to design two courses. The East course opened in 1924 and the West course three years later.

Characterised by the varied demands of heather carries and narrow fairways, Colt's courses are complimented by the Edinburgh opened in 1990. Designed by John Jacobs, in collaboration with Gary Player and Bernard Gallacher, the Edinburgh winds through the Great Wood and provides a fair test without being a copy of either of its predecessors.

The West course, which was opened in 1926 winds like a vast coiling snake through the heavily wooded estate. Once embarked, there is no short cut back but the tightly bordered fairways somehow heighten the drama, particularly over the closing holes.

It is then that matches are decided. The 13th, bending round trees to a green cut into the side of a magnificent two-shotter. The 15th, once a par five, is now a beautifully shaped par four and in the view of many of the best hole on the course. There is likely to be a sense of false security at the drive-and-pitch on 16th but it is the last two holes that provide the true theatre. Both are par fives, 571 and 531 yards long respectively, and two birdies are not always sufficient, such is the strength and skill of the best players in the world. One bends right to left, the other left to right and few courses in Britain are held in greater respect by the professionals. For the amateurs it sometimes seems a long way round but the opportunity to have trodden the same fairways and greens as the stars is reward enough.

East However, the significant presence was that of a St Albans seed merchant, Sam Ryder. Having watched the play, Mr Ryder thought it would be good idea to make the match official and there and then the Ryder Cup was born. Further distinction followed when the first women's Curtis Cup match, in 1932, was also played on the East.

The undulating land on the heavily wooded Wentworth estate is perfect for golf but in the light soil, which drains so well, there is an abundance of heather and birch and it is seldom, even in winter that the going gets really heavy.

Edinburgh

Dog legs to both right and left with imposing pines encroaching on to the fairways on the inside of the dog legs can spell disaster for those who try and bite off too much and the tee shot at the 15th calls for a decision as to whether the stream winding its way across the fairway can or cannot be carried. The 18th with its green set in a natural amphitheater will hopefully be the scene of many famous occasions in the future, helping to carry on the long and illustrious history of Wentworth.

For the most part the course winds its way through "The Great Wood" which does call for straight hitting. However, the fairways are not so narrow as to inhibit the use of the driver, rather to encourage it.

The overall balance of the course with its four 5's, four 3's and ten 4's, is orthodox, and yet no two holes are alike. The Par 3's are not long (the writer hates long par 3's), but differ greatly in character, the second bearing a striking resemblance to the twelfth at Augusta.

The Par 5's may encourage the big hitter to have a go for the green with the second shot but beware, potential birdies can easily become disasters if the second shot finds trouble at the awkward distance from the green.

The Par 4's have great variety and for the most part are extremely demanding. The view down to the fourth green from the elevated fairway is particularly exciting and calls for a very precise second shot - not only direction but distance also.