■ The 10th hole on the picturesque Kernow course PICTURE: Andy Hiseman Fairway to heaven HE journey to St Mellion is a Stutt (who also remodelled Barton-on- tantalising taste of what’s to Sea), and quickly established itself as a come. Driving can be a chore leading tournament venue, hosting its Tthese days – but not when you’re first major international event, the PGA motoring through West Dorset, then Cup match between GB and Ireland, and Devon and across the spectacular Tamar the USA, in 1978, and its first European estuary, with Isambard Kingdom Tour event, the Benson and Hedges Brunel’s wonderful Royal Albert railway International, in 1979. bridge alongside, into Cornwall. ■ St Mellion hotel The Tournament Players Championship Now, following a two-year £2m of Europe and the Weetabix Ladies’ investment, the new Kernow Course at unusual approach to the green over a British Open brought professional Tour St Mellion International is complete – traditional Cornish hedge. golf back to Cornwall in the following making this surely one of the finest 36- There’s a new sequence of holes to start years. hole resorts not just in England, but the back nine, which, while relatively The second course, designed by Jack Europe. short, offer up a series of exciting risk Nicklaus, opened in 1987, and was fully With nine new holes, and nine of the and reward decisions. refurbished and reopened last summer, best from the original Old Course, this But not all the holes are new – the along with a new 80-room four-star comprehensive redevelopment is bound picturesque all-or-nothing par three 14th hotel with a luxurious spar complex to attract players in search of a new is an old favourite featuring a shot including three swimming-pools – and challenge. across a lake, with a fantastic view from the announcement that the European The par-70, 18-hole Kernow (meaning an elevated tee. Here, what you see is Tour will return from 2011, with the Cornwall in Cornish) complements the really what you get English Open. mighty Nicklaus Signature Course, Set in 450 acres of Cornish countryside, KEVIN NASH which also winds around St Mellion’s St Mellion is the only English resort to spectacular wooded valleys. have had full European Tour golf staged With stunning views and eight new on both its courses. Golf operations getting there USGA-spec greens, it’s longer than the manager David Moon says he’s looking ◆ St Mellion, near Saltash, is close original Old Course, with many new forward to an influx of players keen to to the villages, beaches and tees and hundreds of new trees. try out the new-look Kernow. attractions for which Cornwall is A staggering 250,000 tonnes of earth “It has certainly undergone some famous. Call 01579 351351 or visit have been moved to provide a fresh spectacular changes,”he says.“Because st-mellion.co.uk golfing challenge which, while more of new technology, players hit the ball ◆ benign than the notoriously difficult further now, so the new course is longer St Mellion International Resort is Nicklaus, still has plenty of teeth. and a little tighter. However, I believe it’s the flagship property in the award- Stand-out holes include the new first, a still a fair and extremely enjoyable winning Crown Golf group, which tricky par five that demands an accurate challenge for golfers of all standards.” has 30 UK golf facilities and 50 golf first tee shot of the day, and the new In 1976, the Old Course, as it was then courses in its portfolio. Visit sixth, the hardest of the 18, featuring an known, was designed by J Hamilton crown-golf.co.uk July 17, 2010 25.