Kenwick Park

This is most certainly true of Kenwick Park, for wherever the eye wanders it alights on a scene of panoramic splendour.

The course nestles in quiet seclusion in the last folds of the Lincolnshire Wolds designated "an area of outstanding natural beauty".

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Designed by Patrick Tallack and opened in 1992 by former Ryder Cup captain Mark James, it offers a wonderful variety of challenging holes, each with its own identity.

Constructed on mature parkland, the course is played over gently rolling terrain with nine delightful feature lakes, each adding not only aesthetic appeal and challenge, but also a natural habitat for wildlife.

The course then meanders into ancient woodland, to holes that will not only test the golfer's accuracy, but also his nerve.

From the white tees the course measures 6,782 yards. It presents a real challenge to the expert golfer and is a test worthy of a championship course. From the yellow tees the course is less daunting but it still requires patience. Good strategy is the key to a good round at Kenwick.

There is such a great variety of holes it is hard to pick a favourite.

The first, a par four of 456 yards is no gentle opening.

A new tee has recently been constructed at the fourth hole adding extra yardage and placing greater emphasis on the dog leg.

The extra length will make, perhaps, a two club difference to the second shot which is played over a water course to a green protected down the left-hand side by a lake.

The seventh, at 482 yards, needs a carefully-placed drive through an avenue of trees followed by a second to a green sitting on a lower level with a backdrop of water.

The eighth is a short hole played over water to a two-tiered green which will most certainly concentrate the mind.

The ninth, a short but quite tricky par four brings you conveniently back to the clubhouse.

The second nine meanders into ancient woodland starting with the par four 10th which is 464 yards of intimidation.

A carefully-placed tee shot will leave a second over water to a green whose depth-perception deceives the eye. It is most certainly worthy of its stroke one index.

The 12th, situated in a beautiful wooded glade, is a classic par three.

It is followed by the par five 13th which weaves its way through a narrow avenue of trees. The green may sometimes be reachable in two but beware, danger lurks.

The course architect's favourite hole is the par three 17th – again played over water to a green sitting in an attractive little dell.

The course is sympathetically managed to balance excellent playing conditions with care for wildlife and use of resources.

This environmental awareness enabled the club to win the National Environmental Award for Golf Courses for 2003.

The clubhouse is a 19th century grade two listed building which was originally the estate's coach house.

It has been carefully converted so as to retain its original elegance and charm, and is a perfect place to relax after the round and ponder what might have been. If only!

Kenwick is owned by its shareholder members, including a limited number of business members.

New members are welcome and prospective members should contact the director of golf.

Visitors and societies are welcome by prior arrangement.

DETAILS

TELEPHONE: 01507 605134

ESTABLISHED: 1992

PROFESSIONALS: Paul Spence and Michael Langford.

DIRECTOR OF GOLF: Eric Sharp.

LOCATION: Two miles due south of Louth.

TYPE OF COURSE: Parkland.

YARDAGES: White 6,782, yellow 6,244, red 5,764.

PAR: 72 (70 yellow, ladies 74).