Southerndown Golf Club in Wales
BRIDGEND, Wales -- Established in 1905, Southerndown Golf Club ranks among southern Wales' top links golf courses.
The golf course has been redesigned numerous times, including alterations from Herbert Fowler and H.S. Colt. Colt helped redesign parts of Southerndown, including four new holes -- Nos. 7, 8, 17, and 18 -- when he was in town to design Royal Porthcawl G.C. down the road.
In fact, the town of Porthcawl can be seen in the distance from many points of Southerndown, which sits on high ground. Despite sitting away from the sea by about a mile, the golf course features firm, fescue turf and plenty of gorse bushes.
Southerndown G.C. is set on common ground. Sheep roam free and graze the rough. While driving the ball is relatively easy at Southerndown, thanks to wider-than-average playing corridors and low rough, the approach shots pose real difficulty. There are many contours in the greens and surrounding areas, as well as deep, small sod bunkers.
Southerndown Golf Club is the nearest links course to Newport and Celtic Manor Resort, a drive of about 30 minutes.