Saunton Golf Club: West

The West Course, the newer of the two courses at the club, opened in 1974, in contrast to the original course, which was established in the spring of 1897. The club has faced various challenges throughout its history, including labor shortages during World War I and damage during World War II when land was used as a battle training ground. Despite these setbacks, the club celebrated the opening of its new clubhouse in 1923 with an exhibition match featuring Harry Vardon, a six-time Open champion and U.S. Open winner, and J.H. Taylor, a five-time Open champion. This clubhouse, which still stands today and survived the war, has become a historic centerpiece of the club. Since then, the course has hosted a range of prestigious championships, including the R&A Boys Amateur Championship, the British Ladies' Championship and the English PGA Championships. Known for its challenging layout, the West Course demands clever and strategic ball placement off the tee and requires skillful play on its complex greens. The course will reward precision only with careful alignment, making it a compelling test even for experienced golfers.