I played the Vallière in June for the first time and hope I get a chance to play it again. It was simply sublime and like you say it is great fun and really provides what most of us want out of a game of golf, fun, variety and challenge. It is incredible to think that none of these holes became part of Les Grand Parcours 10-15 Years later as they are just so good. Tom Simpson was an absolute genius.
I feel your pain of having played so long yet remaining „hole in oneless,“ Richard. I won’t turn the knife in the wound by regaling you with tales of many such successes. I‘m responding to inform you, in case you were unaware, that Seve apparently never had a hole in one. This astounding fact, should it be true, certainly puts you in distinguished company.
Yes...I love this fact and cling to it in difficult times (i.e. after each tee shot on a short hole). But my greatest golfing pal / foe also knows this, so his stock response is "speak to Seve". I've tried; he doesn't answer...
No hole-in-one tale to taunt you with, as none of my perishing tee shots have ever dropped either, not even at the tiny pitch and putt I played a thousand times as a kid.
Every one of your posts make me want to experience the course in the subject line, but never more so than now. Vallière looks and sounds like the perfect playground.
Another engaging story, I enjoy your writing style very much. I especially like your detailed descriptions of the course landscape, history, strategy, good & not so good shots and your self deprecating humor. At age 67 I still don’t have a hole in one so at this point don’t expect it will happen. Maybe that’s the secret…I certainly do play better with low/no expectations. Like last year’s trip to Scotland that was in jeopardy due to bad shoulders. I recovered in time for an unforgettable experience plus 2 eagles, one with hickories at Prestwick with the great Chris McBride guiding me and one at Kingsbarns.
Thanks to our friend in common, Pam Allen, I’m now also enjoying your Grass Routes. Well done and keep up your lyrical prose…👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I loved reading your message, Gregg. "No expectations" has set me off on another path, thank you! And that golf connects first Pam and I and then you? Marvellous!
I played the Vallière in June for the first time and hope I get a chance to play it again. It was simply sublime and like you say it is great fun and really provides what most of us want out of a game of golf, fun, variety and challenge. It is incredible to think that none of these holes became part of Les Grand Parcours 10-15 Years later as they are just so good. Tom Simpson was an absolute genius.
I feel your pain of having played so long yet remaining „hole in oneless,“ Richard. I won’t turn the knife in the wound by regaling you with tales of many such successes. I‘m responding to inform you, in case you were unaware, that Seve apparently never had a hole in one. This astounding fact, should it be true, certainly puts you in distinguished company.
Yes...I love this fact and cling to it in difficult times (i.e. after each tee shot on a short hole). But my greatest golfing pal / foe also knows this, so his stock response is "speak to Seve". I've tried; he doesn't answer...
I think the fact a ten-handicapper might have half a dozen while Seve had none is one of the most beautiful and exasperating aspects of the game.
No hole-in-one tale to taunt you with, as none of my perishing tee shots have ever dropped either, not even at the tiny pitch and putt I played a thousand times as a kid.
Every one of your posts make me want to experience the course in the subject line, but never more so than now. Vallière looks and sounds like the perfect playground.
Another engaging story, I enjoy your writing style very much. I especially like your detailed descriptions of the course landscape, history, strategy, good & not so good shots and your self deprecating humor. At age 67 I still don’t have a hole in one so at this point don’t expect it will happen. Maybe that’s the secret…I certainly do play better with low/no expectations. Like last year’s trip to Scotland that was in jeopardy due to bad shoulders. I recovered in time for an unforgettable experience plus 2 eagles, one with hickories at Prestwick with the great Chris McBride guiding me and one at Kingsbarns.
Thanks to our friend in common, Pam Allen, I’m now also enjoying your Grass Routes. Well done and keep up your lyrical prose…👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Gregg Thompson
I loved reading your message, Gregg. "No expectations" has set me off on another path, thank you! And that golf connects first Pam and I and then you? Marvellous!
Two on our Northcliffe Course, and on the 11th at Walmer & Kingsdown 😉
I'd chosen to forget those since we played! Clearly, you haven't! Well played, Stuart, and thank you!
Ah to dream, lovely.