celtic manor golf day

Hi chaps,
I have finally got someone to cover me for Wednesday, AAH pharmaceuticals golf day at the Celtic Manor, Wales.

I think the first 4 get into a golf comp in spain in september, full handicap medal I would presume. I have been cut from 25 to 22.1 after my maiden victory on Monday at Captains Evening, on Monday (still over the moon). Tried to play the front 9 last night in the same conservative fashion as I did on Monday and got 18pts so feel that a par to handicap score on this course (montgomerie not 2010) would leave me in with a shout to a trip to Spain in september.

Has anyone played Montgomerie course, been to this venue, got any strategies or any other information I need to know about.

I am a rookie but been bitten by the competitive side of the game and the girls in my Pharmacy say I have to return with a trip to spain.

The most difficult thing I told my girlfriend is deciding which one of my friends to take to the luxury hotel in spain

Erm..... top tip for you.

Don't get ahead of yourself! These type of events are notoriously full of bandits so just relax, enjoy and try not to get too wound up when someone comes in with 48 points!

I have played two of the courses many years ago (Roman Way was one of them I think). It is very hilly in places. No other advice I can offer I am afraid!

The venue is stunning (as in the Hotel) although it does look like Colditz from a distance.

Its actually the nearest course to where I grew up (my folks still live only a mile from it).

Have a great time and just enjoy it.

Tarka, another thing worth considering is that these handicap competitions are laden with cheats with artificially high handicaps. Usually it is something ridiculous like 44 points that wins it.

As d4S says, don't get ahead of yourself, one shot at a time and count them up at the end.

Hobo, nothing wrong with looking like Colditz, that's a stunning building.

Celtic Manor is the 1st picture.

Spoiler:

i thought it was strange when they didn't want a handicap certificate, I think they can verify handicaps on the database now though.

I am driving up from Cornwall for a 10am registration. considering driving up the night before and staying in a scaffy hotel, just when I do that I end of getting jaked on the drink and not playing to any kind of potential in the morning!

tarka wrote:i thought it was strange when they didn't want a handicap certificate, I think they can verify handicaps on the database now though.

I am driving up from Cornwall for a 10am registration. considering driving up the night before and staying in a scaffy hotel, just when I do that I end of getting jaked on the drink and not playing to any kind of potential in the morning!

There is a Premiere Inn about 500 yards from the entrance of the CM. Also a Hilton and Holiday Inn for that matter within the same distance.

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/NEWCOL/newport-south-wales?cmp=GLBC

take your skis. It's easier to use those going down one of the par 5's than it is to walk as I recall.

hobo, can I just stay with your parents? I am clean

will look at the premier inn, or maybe just bristol or someplace on the motorway.

Tips for the Monty (I was a country member for 3 years).
1. Avoid the bunkers they are much deeper than your average parkland bunker.
2. Get some cardiovascular training in (you'll realise what I mean by the time you reach the turn
3. Bacon & sausage butties from the halfway house are rather nice, order from we'd hut behind 9th tee and pick up by 10th
On the course, 3rd don't look at yardage book and think you have to muller it off the 3rd tee. 2 decent straight ones will get you over the hill and a shot at the green in about 3 clubs less than you think...and don't go long.
Note the wind up top, you won't feel it at ground level on 4th/5th but it WILL still be there so select additional club accordingly.
Left side of green on 7 is good it will feed right, don't miss that one right.
10 just along with 3 the best 2 holes on the course...
11 don't try to cut the dogleg!! 13 deceptively sloping right to left green short is better than missing left or right.
Unless you are long and accurate with the big dog don't take on 17 go for a sensible 180 -200 club to leave short iron/wedge in.
Caddy fee = charitable donation see longest day thread

Oh and good luck and enjoy!!

That'll be the 3rd LJ....like the Hannenkam at Kitzbuel without the snow!!!

JAS, will sort out longest day, good lad

Good lad...seriously though (especially if it's been raining - not entirely unusual for the CM!!) be very careful going down the slope from 3rd green to 4th tee. Many a bruised, wet, mucky, grassy ass obtained at that point!!

If I recall the walk it feels like a drop of around a thousand or so feet from the tee on the 3rd down to the lowest point of the course....

Jas, didn't mean "good lad" in a condesending way, more like "top lad" "one of the lads" etc :-)

Toddle on like a good boy now............

got 26pts on 3/4 handicap allowance. Winner was 33pts and 2nd and 3rd on 31pts. I had 16pts at the turn and was playing really well. All went wrong with three blobs on 10,11,12. 17th hole was difficult, blobbed that too as that was the only hole I didn't get a shot on. Could not believe the wind and ditched the drive after a few holes. Hit a 3 iron rescue club off the tee on most holes so I was quite happy with the scoring, just I blew my chance of Spain at the turn.

JAS, tips were great; though underestimated the 10th hole, just hit a dink with the rescue and the rescue to the green, made it in two over the water but not to the green and proceeded to chip off one side on to the other and four putt!
12th: hit a lovely drive (dogleg right) with a bit of fade and I thought it was perfect and would be down the bank but couldn't find the ball, should have went with rescue club but all in all what a day and a great course although severe as the scoring showed with the wind. Another thing I thought the practice green (where I spent 15min on) was 20pc faster than the course greens so ended up leaving puts short with a difficult 5-6ft second put instead of a tap in