The Atlantic Pairs competition launched by St Enodoc Golf Club and Trevose Golf & Country Club in north Cornwall has proved to be a runaway success with the 110 pairs available for the first ever staging of the event sold out within five days of release.
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The north Cornish clubs first launched the Atlantic Pairs concept in Spring 2020 to provide golfers with the opportunity of playing two of England’s most revered championship links in March 2021 then the pandemic hit so it was postponed until March 10th and 11th, 2022.
The two-day tournament, a fourball betterball stableford format, will take place over two very different courses created by two of golf’s most celebrated golf course architects: the James Braid-designed Church Course at St Enodoc in Rock and the Championship Course at Trevose laid out by Harry Colt which is located on the opposite side of the Camel Estuary near Padstow, just 30 minutes away by car.
The competition has clearly caught the imagination of golfers from around the country in a similar way that the well-established North Cornwall Pairs, played over St Enodoc and Bowood Park, has developed into one of the south west’s most popular golf events in just six years.
The Atlantic Pairs is very much a Cornish affair with local brewers, Sharps Brewery that produces Atlantic Ale just down the road on the north Cornish coast, lending its support to the tournament whilst Dreya Glass, a local company in nearby Newquay, is supplying the glass trophy for the competition winners.
The tournament entry fee is very reasonably priced at £185 per pair which also includes a two-course meal after golf provided at each venue. An optional 2’s sweep each day is available at an additional cost of £10 per pair per venue whilst Trevose is offering a special tournament ‘Bed & Breakfast’ rate at their on-site accommodation overlooking Constantine Bay. The competition allows any mix of gender though a maximum handicap of 20 for men and 24 for ladies is required.
“We have been totally overwhelmed by the incredible response to the launch of the Atlantic Pairs,” comments Simon Greatorex, general manager at St Enodoc. “Whilst the event gives golfers the opportunity to play two fantastic championship links and to meet new golfing friends, we also hope that they will enjoy the great Cornish welcome and hospitality that they will receive whilst they are here.
“With the event open to all, we look forward to seeing visiting golfers from all over the country and if successful, we are looking to stage the Atlantic Pairs on an annual basis as an early Spring celebration of golf and friendship.”
What is for certain is that the participants will be treated to some first class golf over two exceptional championship links in March.
The championship Church Course at St Enodoc is regarded as one of golf’s most beguiling tracks that is often described as ‘once trodden, never forgotten’.
Established in 1890, St Enodoc regularly appears in the top ten in the country in course rankings compiled by national golf magazines and websites and rightly so. The exceptional location of the course high up on the sand dunes of the north Cornwall coast overlooking the Camel River and Atlantic Ocean means the Church Course is set against the backdrop of some of the greatest sea and estuary views of any 18 holes in the world.
Considered to be one of Braid’s finest designs, the Course features a splattering of blind shots including one on the first hole, deceptive undulations on the fairways as well as firm and tricky greens.
It is perhaps best known for its distinctive and fearsome Himalaya Bunker on the 6th hole, which is reputedly the highest in Europe. However it is the 10th that is referred to as the signature hole as it winds its way towards the 11th century St Enodoc Church, where poet laureate Sir John Betjeman lies buried beside his favourite course.
Meanwhile the Championship Course at Trevose, one of England’s most highly regarded golf resorts following its establishment in 1925, provides an exhilarating round of links golf. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Trevose Head and the Atlantic Ocean, this layout plays differently every day depending on the strength and direction of the wind.
Known for its stunning seascapes over Constantine Beach and Booby’s Bay, Trevose has been working with course architects, Mackenzie & Ebert, over the past five years to introduce a number of course improvements that have further elevated the playing experience to an exciting new level.
Testament to the quality of the course, Trevose was chosen as the host venue for the Staysure Tour’s Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship 2021, staged from 18 to 21 June and won by South African Chris Williams.
Visitors to Trevose can stay onsite at a variety of excellent 4 and 5-star apartments. The resort includes extensive onsite leisure facilities and has seven beaches within a mile. Dining is provided in Constantine Restaurant, set against the stunning backdrop of the Championship course and the Atlantic Ocean.
For more information on St Enodoc Golf Club, please visit www.st-enodoc.co.uk or call 01208 863216 and for accommodation enquiries for the Atlantic Pairs, please visit www.trevose-gc.co.uk or contact Trevose on 01841 520208.