Today’s round was at the Southerndown Golf Club in ‘Ogmore-by-Sea’, another village in Brigend county.
I was looking forward to playing here as it was highly recommended with limited access for visitors. A murder’s row of architects has worked on the course over the years. The original design was by Willie Fernie with later updates by Herbert Fowler, Willie Park, Harry Colt & Donald Steel. Sadly, neither of us were impressed with the course. Very hilly, bare fairways, just not good condition. Even worse was the poor etiquette by some of the members. They hit into us a number of times, then cut in front. Disappointing.
On the scorecard is reference to something never heard of before – a ‘ha-ha’. It’s considered a part of the course and sits between the 18th green and Clubhouse. Had to look this one up. Per Wikipedia, a ‘ha-ha’ is also known as a sunk fence and is a landscape design element to limit livestock access to a garden or yard without obstructing views. There you go!
In the afternoon we took a walk along Rest Bay to the Porthcawl promenade and town. After a few pub stops we landed at the ‘Jolly Sailor’ in Porthcawl’s Newton area for some real ales and dinner. The Sailor is the oldest pub in Porthcawl.
