| An early morning after a long night at the closing banquet of the IGTM conference saw us standing on the first tee at Pyle & Kenfig with 2 of the local members, ready for our next links challenge. Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club, commonly known as P&K, is one of Wales’s finest links courses. Its famous regal neighbour, Royal Porthcawl, lies next door. But make no mistake, Pyle and Kenfig is wonderful course as well. |
| Breathtaking views of Welsh mountains, Rest Bay and the Bristol Channel can be seen from this old links course, which was founded in 1922 and originally designed by Harry Colt. Nine holes were commandeered by the military during World War II, but after the war, it was decided to extend the course to 18 holes once again. With great foresight, some wild linksland was identified, which lay closer to the sea. Philip Mackenzie Ross was asked to design the new holes and what a job he did. |  |
Colt’s front nine is good, but Mackenzie Ross’s back nine, routed through the dunes, is simply outstanding with 5 of the best links holes you will ever play.
 | The 11th hole, a 525¬yard par five known as the Valley Hole, is where the dunes come in to play. The challenge starts with a tight drive off the tee and up the hill you travel into a green surrounded on all sides by a massive dune. |
The challenges continue on the 12th, a tough par 3 surrounded by bunkers, dunes and bracken. Measuring 180 yards from the tees we played, and into the wind, getting out of there with a par like TJ did is a great accomplishment.
 | This beautiful par 3 is followed by a wonderful short par 4 that requires a tee shot over a dune (or into it in Ron’s case) followed by an approach into a green once again surrounded by dunes. |
| The 14th hole is arguably the best on the course. The view from the 14th tee, a 416¬yard par four with the panorama towards the Gower Peninsula, is stunning. How much do you dare cut off the corner, that is the key question on this beautiful hole. |  |
 | The last hole in the dunes is undeniably the best par 3 on the course. At 200 yards it is a tough downhill shot into a well guarded, and beautifully designed green. Par here is another great accomplishment and regardless of your score, it is a hole to be enjoyed. |
P&K is a must add to any itinerary in Wales. While not as highly ranked as its next door neighbour, Royal Porthcawl, it is a wonderful links layout that will challenge and wow you at every turn.
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