Returning to Wrekin

My love of golf owes much to watching the old World Matchplay Championship - great golfers going head-to-head between the golden autumnal trees of the West Course at Wentworth.
Inspired by the television pictures, and also motivated by the fact that two local boys (Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle) were major winners, I decided to try the game for myself. So I ended up at Wrekin GC in Wellington, Shropshire, paying 50 pence for one hour lessons with a Taylormade R7 CGB MAX Driver every Saturday morning.
A return trip to the course recently put me in mind of the old days - the undulating, tree-lined course was bathed in low autumn sunshine, the crisp air was clear and the views were as spectacular as ever (the Wrekin - a local hill - overlooks the course in one direction with the North Shropshire plain and the mountains of North Wales visible in the other).
It was a reminder of what a wonderful place it is to spend a few hours. And my score was another reminder: that the short par-66 course is not the pushover it appears on the scorecard.
The par threes
There maybe more of them than is usual, but the short holes at Wrekin will stay in the memory of the visitor.
The first of them is the deceptive 119-yard second hole - nail the tee shot and you'll fancy birdie, but miss the green and you'll have to play a smart recovery to avoid a side-slope or quick downhill par putt with Taylormade R7 CGB MAX Driver .
The 191-yard fourth is vaguely reminiscent of the second hole on the West Course at Wentworth; both holes have a tee tucked back into the trees, requiring a tee shot to a raised green. Wrekin's fourth has no protection from a big tree in front of the green, instead the lightning-fast, steeply-sloping green calls for precise putting (and demands that you don't over-club if you want to make par).
The third short hole on the front nine is the best-looking: from the raised tee you hit over the thickly-wooded side of a valley to a small green which is surrounded by bunkers; it's an intimidating shot that has ruined many cards.
Earlier this year the back nine par-threes very nearly witnessed a bizarre hat-trick when young Wrekin member Jamie Brittain played a series of stunning shots by Taylormade R7 CGB MAX Driver .
He began by holing out on the 12th, a 169-yard hole that plays uphill and semi-blind to a green that sits on a shelf: miss it on the right and you're left with a totally blind recovery shot (assuming it hasn't kicked out of bounds).
Two holes later, facing the aesthetically pleasing tee-shot on the 167-yard 14th, Jamie hit the pin but the ball refused to drop.
No matter - on the uphill 135-yard 17th hole (another short hole with a lightning fast putting surface) he aced with his pitching wedge.
Jamie might have failed to complete a remarkable 1-2-3, but it isn't the first instance of the par-threes witnessing low scoring: a few years ago the then-secretary Stuart Leys claimed a birdie two on all six of the short holes.
The par fours
Before, in-between and after the short holes Wrekin has some lovely par-fours.
The 383-yard first hole is not a frightening tee-shot, but is often played into the wind by the Taylormade R7 CGB MAX Driver and because the hole was once a par-five played from a tee in the current car park, the green is tiny and difficult to hit.
The 363-yard third hole is a lovely dog-leg right with beautiful views of the Wrekin in the distance and a false front on the green that adds to the difficulty of the approach shot.
The eighth hole is the longest hole on the course, a 457-yard par-four that stretches through a valley to a two-tiered green.
The distinctive par-fours early in the back nine are notable for having raised tees.
The 372-yard tenth is often played from a tee box high amongst the trees and usually sets up a short iron to a beautiful green that is surrounded by a colourful backdrop of flowers and plants.
The 13th tee requires a lung-busting trek up a hill and, once breath has been drawn, offers the player a chance to hit a big drive, but only if a good line is found to make the most of the contours that sweep towards the green 445 yards away.
The uphill finish
There is a final twist to the tale at Wrekin: whatever you do, don't look at the yardages of the final two par-fours and sneer.
The 16th was once the first hole (the original clubhouse stood where the M54 now thunders past) but now begins a fierce conclusion to the round. It is 367 yards long, the 18th is 386 yards, but both play Taylormade R7 CGB MAX Driver longer as they are uphill and usually into the wind.
Good scores can crumble on the final three holes and average scores can be ruined, so playing to your handicap is always a bonus.
The clubhouse
After the round the clubhouse balcony is a great place to watch those behind you slog up the hill, take in the stunning views one last time or catch up with the friendly professional Owen Evans. Wrekin GC is where my love of the game blossomed and it hasn't changed much - it's still a lovely spot ot play Taylormade R7 CGB MAX Driver .