12 Comments
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Ant Salmon's avatar

Putting Rye into words is so hard; I think this is the best I've read since Darwin. I moved to New Zealand 24 years ago and have retained my Rye membership; it's the umbilical cord I cannot cut. Thank you for taking me home to a place I yearn for. To borrow from your latest column, I have a longing for something that I dearly love and value but which Covid has rendered unattainable.

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Richard Pennell's avatar

Dear Ant, thank you for yours. I think your prolonged absence but retained membership speaks volumes for that wonders of Rye. Let's hope you are able to return soon. One thing is sure; nothing of the traditional beauty of the place will have changed since your last visit! Golfing paradise...

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Tony Cullen's avatar

I too thank you Richard for encapsulating my thoughts entirely. I was honoured by my friend and long standing member Stephen Evans to be his guest yesterday. It was a beautiful classic Rye day albeit the wind was a brisk south easterly rendering the 13th to be super challenging. Your 1500 words are a delightful summary of this golfing heaven. Thank you.

Tony Cullen

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Richard Pennell's avatar

Thank you Tony, delighted you enjoyed the piece, and more importantly, the golf. Classic days seem to visit Rye more regularly than the rest of the world!

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Cameron Reeves's avatar

Thank you Richard. The game at Rye is special indeed. The design even better. I so agree with the truth in your writing. For me, once played, Rye Golf Course stays in the heart, and not just the head.

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Richard Pennell's avatar

Thank you!!!

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Sam Andrews's avatar

This is a lovely piece Richard.

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Richard Pennell's avatar

Thank you!!!

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John Smith's avatar

From a previous Secretary of Rye, you have described exactly what I have been trying to explain ever since starting my ten year tenure there, and have been soaking in the experience by playing more regularly since retiring twelve years ago. Thank you!

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Richard Pennell's avatar

Dear John, thank you! Very nice to see your comment - we met briefly when I first played there, back in 2006. That sounds like an extremely satisfactory retirement!

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Robin Brown's avatar

A unique course with special atmosphere.I regret only playing there once

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Nick Wright's avatar

A wonderful account of your visit Richard, and certainly not too wordy, you really capture the magic of the place.

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