For the South African Charity Golf Day we rename the Bernard Hunt Course to THE DE KLERK COURSE.
The Bernard Hunt Course is named after Bernard Hunt, MBE, who still
teaches at the club. He was the first head professional at Foxhills and
served for 25 years.
Bernard won 30 times on the European PGA Tour, played in the Ryder
Cup 10 times, twice as Captain, and won the Tour's Order of Merit in
1961 and 1963.
Not surprisingly, the course that's named after him offers more than a
few serious challenges for club golfers. The 10th hole, for instance,
is a 445-yard par-4 that plays downhill initially and then sweeps uphill
to a green protected by two bunkers in front of the putting surface.
You have to keep your tee shot to the left of the fairway to have the
best angle into a green which slopes wickedly from back right to front
left. It is undoubtedly the most difficult hole on the inward nine and
one where a par feels like a birdie. "It's a fantastically challenging
hole", says Richard Summerscales, Head Professional at Foxhills. "It's
demanding off the tee and then the green is hard to hit being very
narrow."
Another real test can be found on the finishing hole, a dogleg of
446-yards. Somewhat unfairly, the members call it Cardiac Hill - but
it's a truly great finishing hole, widely considered one of the most
difficult in the country as the tee shot must carry more than 200 yards
to reach the narrow fairway. Unless you hit a monster tee shot, your
approach shot will be partially blind up the hill from where, in the
distance, you can see the spacious double green that's shared with the
finishing hole of the Longcross Course.
For the South African Charity Golf Day we rename the Longross Course to THE MANDELA COURSE.
The Longcross Course is widely considered the very best example of a
typical tree-lined Surrey course. It winds through Scots pine, beech and
silver birch trees and is very reminiscent of Sunningdale's Old Course
in places.
The 408-yard par-four first hole sets the tone for the round. The
drive has to be fired down a funnel between the trees and the second
shot must circumnavigate two bunkers that protect the front of the
green. It can cause all sorts of trouble for the wild hitter. The
uphill, 430-yard ninth is arguably the most difficult hole, requiring a
tee shot of more than 200 yards to clear a bunker on the left and
presenting an opportunity to hit the green in two.
The Longcross last hole is also an uphiller, this time of 531 yards,
with a large tree on the left narrowing the fairway for the second shot.
Again, the approach shot is partially blind to the large, double green
which makes for a fantastic climax to the round.