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Duncan Cheslett's avatar

I too had the pleasure of a game with Ran this week - at my beloved Cavendish with hickories. What a treat! I’d like to think that we might enter the 147 next time around.

Ran spoke of Minch Old as I would speak of my home club - it puzzled me slightly at the time. I didn’t know he’d bought a bloody house there! 🤣

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Richard Pennell's avatar

I love this…the rustic side of golf is a tight community. You have mail, Duncan…yet more of Ran’s footsteps I must walk in!

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Duncan Cheslett's avatar

Please come up to Cavendish soon, Richard! There are a few more unheralded gems up this way too. Have you ever played Baildon or Halifax?

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Richard Pennell's avatar

Mmm…not played either, don’t think I’d even heard of Baildon. But it looks interesting from what I just read on - predictably and wonderfully - golfclubatlas.com!

Thank you! The list evolves by the day!

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Duncan Cheslett's avatar

I’ve just heard from Ran that he’s updating the 147 this month and that Cavendish is in!

You’ve no excuse now, Richard! 😉

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Alan Joss's avatar

I am getting less and less interested in rankings and more interested in other peoples suggestions on places to play and Pitchmarks along with ‘Grass Routes’ have been a great source. I have also reached an age where it is more important who I play with rather than where I play.

You get lots of noise in rankings which I get as everyone has different tastes which is why folks would always have different rankings. I don’t particularly have one favourite course and never really look in terms of which is best. I think there has been a movement towards courses with great views and as there probably always has been some recency bias. I would like them head to Gold, Silver & Bronze rankings or as a good friend suggested use Stars like Michelin do for restaurant rankings with a bit of luck this might take some of the vitriol out of people’s comments online.

One thing I do know is that Minchinhampton, Painswick and Cleeve Hill are all on my ‘bucket list’, I’ll get there one day….

Lastly, I had forgotten about the “147” list so must have a look at that later today.

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Richard Pennell's avatar

And it is a two-way thing this…it was your recommendation that led me to Kilspindie, and the company there - the “who I play with” - worked out beautifully that time! Next time, Royal Aberdeen…

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John Francis's avatar

Yet again, I’m with Alan! I think I’ll just play every course on the Pennell list⛳️😉

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Richard Pennell's avatar

Excellent, John, thank you. My list and my hickories are here waiting for you, along with my diary! ❤️

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Steve Schaefer's avatar

Richard, The year I've been a subscriber of Pitchmarks, I think this is your best post yet.

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Richard Pennell's avatar

Steve, thank you so much! Very grateful!

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Morris's avatar

This is why I read Pitchmarks. You transport me to iconic golf tracks and times I may only visit in my dreams. Nothing this side of the pond compares, so I’m awash in the joy! Cheers.

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