Saunton Golf Club, located on North Devon‘s pristine coast near Bideford Bay and the River Taw estuary, boasts two remarkable courses amidst the Braunton Burrows sand dunes. The West course, originally designed in the mid-1930s by Herbert Fowler, was intended as a short holiday track. After being used as a training ground during World War II, it lay dormant for over 40 years until Frank Pennink revived it, reopening in 1975.
Frank Pennink’s “Choice of Golf Courses” (1976) praised Saunton’s charm, predicting the West course’s rising popularity alongside the East. The West, though slightly shorter than the East at nearly 6,600 yards from the blue tees, offers a formidable challenge, hosting County Championships and the EGU Seniors Championship. It demands accuracy from the tee, featuring a mix of par fours, threes, and fives, particularly on the inward nine, making it more varied than the East.
Narrow streams, reminiscent of Scottish burns, and doglegs add complexity to the course. Except for the opening hole through towering dunes, the course navigates pleasant, undulating links land. Recent renovations by Tom Mackenzie in 2016, including new bunkers, re-aligned ditches, and added tees, aimed to enhance the West’s standard to match the East.
The West course stands as a worthy complement to the East, with some viewing it as an equally significant challenge. Saunton’s dual courses collectively offer a superb golfing experience.
