I’d been to Rockliffe Hall, one of the best courses in County Durham, just once before and, in a world of increasingly hazy memories, on this occasion I can say with absolute certainty that it was in 2009. How do I know for sure? Well, I’d enjoyed a hard-hat tour back then of the magnificent soon-to-open hotel that I was to enjoy in all its splendour second time around 15 years later.
The superb hotel was still under construction when I first visited in 2009
(Image credit: Rockliffe Hall)
Mention Rockliffe Hall to knowledgeable UK golfers and they may well say, “Ah, isn’t that the longest course in Britain?” It does, indeed, stretch to nearly 7,900 yards off the tips, and its length alone makes it one of the hardest courses in GB&I, so the first sensible decision you must make is which tees to play from. Last time round I played at least some holes off the very backs, but the passage of time, coupled with soft conditions, meant such a notion would have been sheer folly this time. I retreated to the yellows.
The view from the tee on the island-green par-3 5th
(Image credit: Rockliffe Hall)
Assuming you’re sensible enough to reach the same conclusion, the bunkers, of which there are many and often of some size, become your main concern. This is golf over an essentially flat canvas by the River Tees, save for the gentle descent from the 1st tee and corresponding rise to the 9th green up the same incline. Early on, you’ll probably notice the 2nd hole’s hourglass green, the pond short of the 3rd and the lake around which the 4th hole curves. You can actually take on more of the water than you think here, but don’t hold me to that!
Memorable moments
The par-3 5th will certainly then get your attention as it’s one of the UK’s best island-green holes. I was pleased to get safely aboard here. On the 7th, spare a moment to glance left to the back tee another 126 yards from the yellow, no slouch itself at 538 yards!
A bird’s eye view of the challenge of the island-green 5th
(Image credit: Rockliffe Hall)
I got overly acquainted with the bunkers on the back nine visiting one a hole from 10 to 14, with the highlight a 3-wood into one of them into a strong wind on 10 followed by a gratifying splash to 2ft. On the par-3 15th, there’s water right plus the Tees not too far away on the left, with 16 and the signature 17th then playing right beside the river.
As for the hotel, it’s simply one of the UK’s finest, with classy, spacious rooms and a superb spa…
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