Both courses were designed by Robert E Cupp, one of Jack Nicklaus’s course architects, with major championship golf in mind. It’s no wonder that the club staged two European Opens and played host to some of the world’s leading players including Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Vijah Singh, Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal, Nick Price and Ian Woosnam. The academy facilities include a 13 acre driving range with open grassed and covered bays, greenside and fairway bunkers, pitching and chipping areas, three putting greens and a championship standard three hole academy course. The on-site hotel, golf academy and large club house make this a premier golfing destination.

Formally known as ‘The Members Course’, the West is often regarded as the more scenic but is certainly tighter and more undulating. After a gentle opening dog leg par four, the second takes you uphill on a long par five to a tight green. From there you face a par three over water, followed by a gentle par four and a long and sprawling par five 5th. Soon you reach the halfway point of the west as you approach the 9th green. The West boasts no fewer than four signature holes. The 12th is a demanding par five without out of bounds either side of the drive, followed by a difficult second shot with water on the right and trees on the left, culminating in a plateau green guarded by a severe pot bunker and water around half the perimeter of the green. The 18th, in the opinion of many is one of the most underrated finishing holes you could find. From the tee an accurate drive is essential on to a tree lined fairway, followed by a shot into a heavily guarded green with the backdrop of the magnificent Clubhouse beyond.