Local Hero

Steven Jones shares his thoughts on the challenges of Caernarfon, his home club

I’ve been coming to Caernarfon for over 10 years. It’s just 20 minutes from where I live so it really is my home club, but even if it weren’t so close I’d still love playing there.

The Caernarfon experience starts with my journey, which takes me past Caernarfon Castle and the Menai Strait, with the Isle of Anglesey off in the distance. It sets the scene for what I always hope will be a great round of golf.

The course itself is just as striking. The first tee is on a small hill, giving you a vantage point on what you’re about to play.  If you’re going to be out hitting a ball for over four hours, it’s great to do it in such a scenic environment, with spectacular views of Snowdonia and the sea.

But what I like most about Caernarfon is the challenge it presents. Weather conditions make the course different every time you play it. Staying on target when the wind is blowing can be incredibly difficult, while when it’s sunny, the firmer ground makes it much harder to hold the greens.

There are some very demanding holes too. Both the 1st and the 14th have out of bounds on each side of the fairway, giving you plenty of opportunity to wreck your scorecard.

To me, Caernarfon sums up the best things about golf in Wales. You always get a warm and genuine welcome. Even if you’re only there for the day, you feel as if you’re part of the club. In terms of facilities and atmosphere, it’s totally opposite to what you see in a golf resort.

The course holds some great memories for me, such as the day I scored an eagle on the par five 18th. I haven’t managed a hole in one yet, but I did see one go in on the 17th. I was looking forward to my free drink at the clubhouse, but the guy who sunk it clearly had fears for his bank balance and never came in. My personal best was winning the Bill Jones Trophy last year. The event was played in absolutely appalling weather, but I had one of those days where every shot went my way. At the end of the day, you want to get the best score in your home club.