Enjoy the tantalizing trail, ranked as the best in the South of England by Top 100 Golf Courses, that make up England’s Atlantic Links (www.atlantic-links.co.uk).
Top 100 Golf Courses has ranked the six golf courses that make up England’s Atlantic Links (www.atlantic-links.co.uk) as the best in the three counties that this tantalizing trail takes in along the north Atlantic coast of south west England.
The UK website (www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/) which describes itself as ‘the only independent website dedicated to the best golf courses in the world’ has placed Saunton East, Royal North Devon and Saunton West in the top three spots in the Top 20 courses in Devon whilst St Enodoc and Trevose are the top two in the Top 10 in Cornwall.
Meanwhile Burnham & Berrow, which acts as either the gateway or the grand finale to the Atlantic Links, has been ranked first in the Top 10 courses in Somerset to give the championship links tour a full house by topping all three rankings.
In spite of being the very best in three counties, the Atlantic Links courses represent unbelievably good value. From November, when the winter green fees kick in, all six courses can be played for just £261 in total.
Thanks to the temperate micro-climate of the south west the green keepers are able to maintain the links in immaculate condition throughout the winter and ensure they remain open all year round.
The winter green fees for the individual courses that comprise the Atlantic Links are:
· Burnham & Berrow - £45
· Saunton East & West - £48
· Royal North Devon - £35
· St Enodoc - £45
· Trevose - £40
The Atlantic Links courses may not be as high profile as those of Scotland or Ireland but this cluster of ancient links lacks nothing in terms of pedigree and is rich in history and tradition.
Testament to their quality, all six courses have hosted major amateur championships over the years. Last year for example Saunton hosted the English Amateur Championship whilst St Enodoc was chosen to stage the English Women’s Amateur Championship.
Trevose hosted the 2008 Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship (The Brabazon Trophy), the 2012 English Boys Championship and will be the venue for the English Men’s County Championship in 2017 whilst Burnham & Berrow has also staged The Brabazon Trophy and The Boys Championship, both in 2011.
Dating back to 1864, Royal North Devon – or Westward Ho! as it is often called – is England’s oldest golf course and boasts a golf memorabilia collection on display in the clubhouse that is second only to the R&A. The other two elders in the group, Burnham & Berrow and St Enodoc, reached their landmark 125th anniversary this year whilst Saunton was established in 1897. Trevose, at just 80 years old, is the youngest member of the group.
Off the course, the south west is a charming holiday destination; its stunning scenery and its artistic & cultural attractions, glorious gardens & sweeping sandy beaches, numerous sporting activities as well as the gastronomic delights of Rick Stein, Jamie Oliver and Nathan Outlaw and local pubs offering traditional fare.
The Atlantic Links are easily accessed via the M5 motorway and A39 “Atlantic Highway”, and the international airports at Bristol, Exeter, London Heathrow and London Gatwick.
For more on the Atlantic Links golf courses, go to www.atlantic-links.co.uk or for Golf Packages, please contact [email protected] or T:+44(0)1637 879991.
