It hardly seems like a month has gone by since we witnessed one of the most memorable European Ryder Cup victories of all time. When Graeme McDowell closed out his match against American Hunter Mahan at the tricky par 3 17th hole on Celtic Manor’s stadium-like 2010 Course to secure Europe’s narrow victory the crowd went wild!
Fast forward a year and you’d hardly know a major tournament had visited. There’s no trace of the damage that was done to the fairways when the thousands that flocked to Wales to watch the drama ended up sliding around on mud drenched waterlogged fairways. The condition of the 2010 course is absolutely A1 again, grass has been carefully replaced and the course has been tastefully restored to immaculate condition. The greens are super slick and perfect to putt on, the fairways like lush carpets and the tees and surrounds look like they belong to a bowling green.
With the grandstands gone the main thing that strikes you about the 2010 Course is how scenic it is. The course winds its way along the valley of the river Usk and has some wonderful panoramas. It’s easy to spend all afternoon lapping up the view at the perfectly placed halfway hut, with its outdoor seating and sausage sandwiches fit for a King! A rest there is a well-deserved reward if you have just taken on the Par 3 challenge. On the 10th tee a friendly marshal will offer you the chance to wager a fiver that you will hit the green. Find the putting surface and you’ll not only get your money back to spend in the pro shop, but you’ll get a free round of golf on one of Celtic Manor’s courses – definitely a bet well worth taking.
The 2010 course is just as challenging as it looked on TV; you need to hit a long, accurate tee ball to set up a chance of finding the tricky greens. Hit a wayward shot and you’ll be lucky to find it in the rough which is quite simply brutal. That said even losing golf balls doesn’t detract from the fun you have from playing this course, as the starter frequently points out to visitors a good score around here on a members competition day is 30 points, so go expecting to play over your handicap and you won’t be disappointed.
If you were glued to the TV for the entire Ryder Cup there’s no doubt you’ll have your favourite holes you’ll be dying to play, and for most visitors it’s the final four that leave a lasting impression. Stand on the 15th tee and stare at the tiny gap in the trees that the players took on to have a go at driving the green and have a crack if you’re brave. Of course the sensible play is to lay-up to the left side of the dogleg leaving a simple wedge into the green. The 16th hole is every bit as ferocious, avoid the front bunker at your peril as the face is steeper than your garden fence. As for the 17th, at 190 yards (just 163 from the yellows) it may seem fairly innocuous, but with the strong prevailing wind off the right, a slopey green and tough little traps awaiting to gobble up golf balls that fall to the right, finding the green is a tough task. As for the 18th – what a grandstand finishing hole this is. A clever green design that slopes all the way from back to front ensures that even perfectly struck shots can spin back and find a watery grave. But that’s just part of the exhilaration of playing this course and even if you come off a few golf balls lighter there’s no doubt you’ll want to have another game here again.
Celtic Manor has two other courses to choose from, the equally challenging and exceptionally hilly (you’ll need a buggy) Roman Roads, and the gentler test at The Montgomerie, plus practice facilities galore, making this a real golfer’s heaven.
However the real heaven awaits the weary golfer in the Celtic Manor spa. Here you’ll find treatments galore from the golfers massage to manicures for the ladies night out and wonderful staff who bend over backwards to make your experience extra special. It’s easy to spend an entire day relaxing in the giant Jacuzzi, sauna or steam room, swimming a few leisurely lengths of the warm indoor pool and then reclining with a drink in hand in the rooftop garden where the rocking benches are so comfy you’ll easily fall asleep.
And if all that sounds like you’ll have worked up an appetite then you’ll be in for a culinary treat. The Celtic Manor resort has a wide variety of restaurants to choose from fine dining in the award-winning Crown at Whitebrook to more relaxed options in the various club houses. A short shuttle bus trip down the valley to the resort’s sister pub, The Newbridge on Usk, is a must. This quaint 200 year old country inn is nestled on the river bank and has a homely rustic feel. The food here is delicious and the service warm and welcoming.
One thing is certain you’ll be hard-pushed to find a better resort in the UK for offering that all-round mix of great golf, great relaxation and great dining. Celtic Manor ticks all the boxes and more. And with some superb special offers on throughout the summer you should definitely put it to the top of your ‘must-visit’ list.
SPECIAL OFFERS
Spa Break
1 night Spa break from £179 including dinner, bed & breakfast and a 50 minute treatment.
Special offer on Spa days until the end of August: 2 for 1 on Elemis Herbal Steam Temple Spa Days, just £25per person. For all spa breaks to Celtic Manor vist BookaSpa.com
Golf Break
1 night B&B and 2 rounds of golf in August from just £99 (save £71) or travel in October for just £89. For all golf breaks to Celtic Manor visit Golfbreaks.com
