Coxmoor 6.6.24
Great inland golf courses are primarily dependant on two things: Soil structure and undulating topography. If these two basics are good course designers can excel, in the same way that great artists capitalise on perfect subject matter and light.
Over 230 million years ago, a 90m layer of Sherwood Sandstone was laid down in South Nottinghamshire, thus providing exceptional soil structure. It not only drains well but provides the right growing conditions for thin, wispy grasses, perfectly suited to golf rather than agriculture. This is heathland.
Coxmoor is also blessed with that undulating topography. It is a super heathland course and improvements over the last few years mean it just gets better.
No wonder then, that those who played it for the first time this week, were delighted with the experience. And everyone who had played it previously can’t wait to come back again.
Draught conditions don’t favour heathland courses; the thin wispy grasses burn off the free-draining sand, so fairway watering becomes a necessity.
The uncommonly wet spring has suited this course. It was in fabulous condition - probably the best we have experienced. The greens were rapid and provided a challenge that, looking at the scores, was met by few.
Jeff Thomas comes in for special mention and he assembled a group of 20 and was still herding cats and their CDH numbers on Wednesday evening - well done Jeff! (Welcome to my world ????)
Martin Gadsby’s team was one of the first out and were disappointed with their performance - especially the putting of Glynn Douglas - watch this space.
Stuart Bond’s team has varied over the years but good-living Stuart is always keen to recruit new players - espcially if they are bigger than him to disguise an expanding waist line.
Nick Gould gallantly stepped up to fill the last space in Darren McCalls group and quickly became the Lionel Messi of the team.
Due to a small miscalculation on the card, I managed to find another point for Dean Pointon’s team which meant that with a little more dignity they still came last.
Scores were tight at the top with podium places vied for by three teams on a count back 83 points. Apart from that disappointed early team with one more and a winning 84.
I am delighted to say that we are booked in to return to Coxmoor on Monday 2nd June 2025 - book early!
Many thanks
Tony
