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TENBY GOLF CLUB

OPEN WEEK 1^st – 6^th JUNE 2008

To download an entry form for the 2008 Open Week, please click HERE

Tenby Golf Club

Welcome to the oldest established golf course in Wales (1888). Tenby Golf Club is a challenging traditional links course, recently voted 10th in best value courses of the UK by Golf Monthly Magazine. Tenby regularly hosts Welsh Amateur Championships and is a fine test for players of all ability. From the first hole to the last, you will never forget the layout of this renowned links course. With stunning ocean views it maximizes all the natural features of this beautiful part of Pembrokeshire and remains playable all year. Visitors are always assured of a warm welcome at Tenby.

Our recently refurbished clubhouse provides all the facilities you would expect for a course of this standard. These include:

Large and well-stocked Pro Shop.

Spacious male and female locker rooms with hot showers.

Licensed bar with a wide range of beer and spirits.

Dining room with food served throughout the day.

Snooker and darts room.

Ample parking space for cars and coaches.

To download an entry form for the 2008 Open Week, please click HERE

HISTORY

The following extracts are taken from J.J.L.Mabe's book, 'Tenby Golf Club - The First Hundred Years'.

Tenby Golf Club was officially founded in September 1888. However, a passage in 'Laws of Markets and Fairs' (1875) refers to Tenby court proceedings being adjourned whilst the Mayor and magistrates took time off to play golf. Therefore, it would appear the sport was alive and well in the area some years before.

Tenby was a founder member of the Welsh Golfing Union in 1895 along with Porthcawl (founded 1892), Swansea Bay (1894), Glamorganshire (1890), Caernarvonshire (1890), Borth - Ynylas (1885), Aberdovey (1892), Rhyl (1890) and Merionethshire.

The first club president was Sir Charles Philipps and at the first AGM in October 1889 the club had a total of 44 members.

In early days the monthly membership fee was five shillings (25 pence).

The first competition was held on October 25th 1888 over nine holes. It was won by Mr T A Rees who scored gross 51, nett 41 off a handicap of 10.

In 1890, £5 was invested in the first club trophy.

In 1891, Mr P. Nihook was appointed as the first grounds man/professional. Nihook was the first person to card below 100 shots for 18 holes (twice round the 9 hole course). He scored 78.

The first Open Week was in Easter 1892. The card was 4752 yards long (2376 played twice).

The first inter-club home match was against Swansea Bay in April 1893. Tenby won 15-13.
The 18 hole course was opened at the Easter meeting of 1907. Black Rock Cottage (purchased in 1904) was used as the clubhouse.

Hole 1 - Danny Carew
A long par four, often played straight into the prevailing wind. Deep rough dominates the left side of the fairway so many players send their drive well to the right for safety. The 1st has a large green but beware of the bushes and deep grass that cover 'Black Rock' on the right hand side.

Hole 2 - Tom Grant
Again many players opt for a safe drive down the right to leave a mid iron second shot. The long, narrow green is well guarded by pot bunkers and has some tricky borrows to negotiate.

Hole 3 - Dai Rees
Thick rough runs the length of the right hand side of the fairway but it's the approach shot to the green that earns this hole its stroke index of 1. The green is raised on a plateau and anything other than an accurate iron shot will kick off sharply to the left or right. In addition, the green slopes steeply from back to front which can make putting a nerve-wracking experience on fast summer greens.

Hole 4 - The Bell
The fourth runs alongside Tenby South Beach. A long drive will bounce on down a steep slope to leave a short iron to the green. However, the green is hidden behind a large hill so the second shot is always played blind.

Hole 5 - Swn Y Mor
On this short par 4 the drive is all important. Clear the heavy rough in front of the tee and you should have a short iron in to the green.

Hole 6 - Lifter's Cottage
The first and shortest par 3 on the course. Anything short will fall into deep grass or gorse so club selection is important if you are to hit the small green.

Hole 7 - Railway
A long par 4 with out of bounds markers all down the right hand side. Finding the right tier of the green will help to avoid a tricky putt on the undulating green.

Hole 8 - Penally Butts
A short hole which runs adjacent to the Penally firing range. Out of bounds markers run the length of the right hand side of this hole.

Hole 9 - Monk's Way
A testing par 3, particularly when played into the wind. A valley of deep rough guards the left hand side of the target and the contoured green often provides a real putting challenge.

Hole 10 - James Braid
The back nine begins with a long par 4 (par 5 from the ladies tees). Heavy rough runs the down the left side of the fairway. A good drive can leave anything from a wedge to a wood for the second shot - it all depends which way the wind is blowing.

Hole 11 - Giltar
A long drive will hit the downslope of the fairway to leave a much shorter shot to the target. Watch out for the pot bunker which guards the green to catch a short approach.

Hole 12 - Y Ddau Gwm
A fine par 3 with glorious views of Tenby South Beach and Caldey Island. The length of the hole can vary considerably depending on where the tee marker is positioned. The tee shot needs to carry all the way or it will fall into one of two deep valleys which surround the green.

Hole 13 - Duneside
A short par 4 offering a chance of par or better. A good drive may leave a short chip to the green but watch out for the bunkers on the right.

Hole 14 - Black Rock
The 14th is the longest hole on the course. Strategically placed bunkers lurk on both sides of the fairway to catch a wayward drive. If you can avoid the hazards, longer hitters may be able to reach the green with their second shot.

Hole 15 - Fitchett's Copse
A good drive with a touch of draw should leave a short iron to the green. However, deep rough and bushes surround this fairway making it a tricky par 4.

Hole 16 - Four Winds
One of the toughest par 4's on the course. A stream runs across the fairway and is reachable with a long drive. The green is raised on a plateau so the approach shot must carry all the way to the hole. The green is a challenge in its own right with sharp slopes from back to front and left to right.

Hole 17 - View O'Caldey
A stunning par 3 played from an elevated tee with fine views of the course and Caldey Island. Trees, bushes and bunkers surround the green.

Hole 18 - Charlie's Whiskers
A long, straight drive will provide a good view of the green for the second shot. However, a wall borders the left hand side of this fairway - anything over the wall is out of bounds so many players deliberately aim well to the right with their drive. The drawback is that you are then left with a blind shot to the final green.

The Pro Shop

Wide range of new and second hand golf clubs.

Huge stock of bags, shoes, balls etc.

Latest golfing fashion accessories.

Golf lessons and video coaching with our resident PGA Pro, Rhys Harry.

To download an entry form for the 2008 Open Week, please click HERE