Page 110 - Golf World (February 2020)

Hotel, and Fistral Beach, the celebrated surfing
spot, lie just to the north and west. The green fee is
£34. See www.newquaygolfclub.co.uk for details.
It is a dour and dismal golfer who, during the
planning process, visits Perranporth GC’s website,
sees the amazing aerial of the course on the home
page, and doesn’t immediately start daydreaming.
How could you watch the opening slideshow and
not picture yourself hitting mighty drives over
daunting sand hills, pinching wind-piercing irons
off springy turf, and putting out on greens
surrounded by dunes, all overlooking the golden
sands of Perranporth Beach and ominous waters of
Perran Bay?
It is all rather intoxicating, and James Braid’s
wild 1927 design – with blind shots at almost every
turn – is apt to get the golfer’s head spinning. The
course is so quirky it makes St Enodoc look rather
plain. Of course it’s all well and good being quirky,
but the golf course would be a gross waste of space
were it not a worthy test of basic golfing skills, and
Perranporth is most certainly that. Braid would
have known the course was unconventional
certainly, but he wouldn’thavesulliedhisreputation
building a novelty course that just didn’t
work. Perranporth, 67th in England, is probably
unlike anything you’ve seen before, but it most
certainly works. The summer green fee is £40, as
it is in winter, but then it also gets you a bacon
bap, tea/coffee, and lunch. For full details, see
www.perranporthgolfclub.co.uk
On a long weekend, you’re not going to have time
to visit any other courses, but how could we write
about Cornish golf without mentioning a stellar
supporting cast of Mullion, Bude & North
Cornwall, or West Cornwall (Lelant). Clifftop
Mullion is among the most exhilarating places
to play golf in Britain, while Bude and Lelant
are terrific links you can’t help but enjoy. Extend
your stay to squeeze them in, or save them all for
another trip.

Where to eat/Drink

By the time you arrive at St Mellion on the first
evening, you’ll probably be tight on time to eat out.
No bother, the resort has a couple of excellent
dining choices – the two AA-Rosette An Boesti,
and the more informal No. 18 Bistro. Both remain
open until 9.30pm.
If you choose to stay in Rock, you can eat well
at the St Enodoc Hotel or, for something really
special, try the Dining Room on Rock Road or
head across the estuary to Padstow for Paul
Ainsworth at No. 6 on Middle Street, or any
of Rick Stein’s five locations. And, if you get the
chance, be sure to stop for a delicious crepe
at the Cornish Crepe Company at South
Quay. Stay at Trevose GCC and the excellent
Constantine Restaurant is on hand, but

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