Saunton Golf Club (West Course)

The West's Second Life

The West Course at Saunton Golf Club began in 1935, when Herbert Fowler was asked to design a second layout beside the established East Course. The Second World War halted its progress, and military training across Braunton Burrows left the land badly damaged. Frank Pennink later redesigned the course, which reopened in 1974. Its greens were relaid in 1987 and 1988.

The routing moves through gentler dunes than those found at the start of the East Course, but its challenge depends on position rather than scale. Doglegs and narrow ditches influence the line from several tees, while the green complexes favour approaches played along the correct running route.

That test is clear at the par-five 17th, Leonard Lake. A cross ditch threatens the drive, another ditch hides along the right, and a diagonal ditch guards the approach. The farther right the drive finishes, the longer the required carry becomes. These decisions give the course a distinct identity beside its older neighbour.