I really don’t need to extoll the virtues of Hollinwell, I played a lot of golf there when I took up the game 30 years ago and it was my first love.
It was a joy to introduce so many Teetours members to it for the first time and see their reaction. If Hollinwell was inside the M25 it would be £200 per round, we are lucky it is near Mansfield.
What makes it so good? - Simple answer; soil structure and topography. If these two elements are right, the job of the course designer is made a lot easier because mother nature has crafted a piece of Britain that should never be anything other than golf course. So please don’t tell me how good the Nottinghamshire, the Belfry or the new JCB course are because, regardless of how much money has been thrown at the construction of them, they will never be a Hollinwell or a Sunningdale Old.
Just two of the many emails I received say it all:
Afternoon Tony,
I just wanted to pass on my thanks for Hollinwell yesterday. It was an absolute privilege to play such a wonderful golf course. I totally agree with your opinion of the course as I thought it was just magnificent.
I am really looking forward to coming back in March.
Paul Buntin (2 hcp. Leasowe G.C.)
Hi Tony,
Firstly, thanks for arranging such a great day at Hollinwell. The course just oozed tradition and all the things I love about golf and its history. Apart from some spectacular holes and the beautiful scenery, which I imagine must be even better with the heather in bloom, the clubhouse was very welcoming and the food and Taylors Landlord bitter were spot on. I hope it remains on your Teetours events calendar for many years to come.
Peter Romyn (20 hcp Stratford Oaks G.C.)
Although the temperature was low, being the first real day of winter thrust upon a group of golfers who are still basking in the memory of the best summer on record, there was no need for brollies, as the briefest shower past through between extended bouts of sunshine.
However, after playing on Monday personally, I have decided it is time to get my mum to sew me into my winter underwear from which I will be unstitched in March.
Thanks go to Jason Hy, Tom Doyle and Martin Truman for stepping in to make up teams.
Nearest the pin on 9 went to Bill Angus
Nearest in two on 16 went to Jerry Casper
Longest drive on 3 went to Paul Sidwell
Charlie Insley’s team were in the prizes again with 83 points for 5th place
The amalgamated four of Will Thompson, Bill Angus, Clive Musgrave, & John Broadley took 4th with 84
A count back was needed to separate the podium places of 2nd & 3rd with 86, but top spot with 89 went to Justin Hadley (12) Phil Luke (12) Dave Golds (14) and Chris Whitmore (15).
Many thanks for your support.
Tony.
