Storming the Castles
Golfers will find that many of the finest courses in Wales meet their match with relics of the country's rich history.
Wales is a nation of castles. Beginning with the hillforts of the pre-Christian era and moving through the conquests of Rome, the Norman Invasion, the “Iron Ring” of King Edward I and beyond, military architecture has always been a part of the Welsh landscape. From massive, well-preserved fortresses to romantic ruins, each one has a story to tell. For visitors, they're an excellent lens through which to view the country's history. In the same way a sommelier matches wine with one's meal, we've suggested a few of the best castle-and-course pairings in Wales. To be honest, though, it's just a start—there are so many of each to explore that a traveler could easily come up many more favorites of his or her own!
The Celtic Manor Resort / Roman Caerleon: Fans attending the Ryder Cup on the Celtic Manor Resort's Twenty Ten Course will have a view of the village of Caerleon, once the site of a Roman legionary fortress known as Isca. The fortress is mostly gone, but Caerleon also figures prominently in Arthurian legend, and some scholars believe the Roman amphitheatre was the site of King Arthur's round table. Caerleon's National Roman Legion Museum makes an easy morning side trip for Ryder Cup visitors.
Royal St. David Golf Club / Harlech Castle: In the case of Royal St. David's (pictured left), the connection is made pretty quickly—mighty Harlech Castle looms on an outcropping directly overlooking the course. Royal St. David's is a superb links—with one bruising par-four after another, it's one of the toughest par-69 layouts in the world. According to local lore, an especially long hitter of the 1920s once won a bet by cracking a shot off the castle walls from just in front of the clubhouse—an impressive feat made all the more so by the fact that he used a hickory club! After the round, the views of the links and sea from Harlech Castle's commanding vantage point are something to be savored.
Conwy Golf Club / Conwy Castle: Conwy, another of the Iron Ring castles, is among the most impressive surviving examples of medieval military architecture not just in the UK, but in all of Europe. Visitors can climb to the top of its crenellated towers as well as walk along sections of its surrounding walls. Much of the town itself is still held safe within these walls, giving Conwy a feeling of timelessness few places can match. The nearby eponymous golf club is one of the finest links in North Wales, boasting majestic views of both mountains and sea. Careful, though: the scenery can easily distract golfers into finding one of Conwy's many punishing pot bunkers.
Bull Bay Golf Club / Beaumaris Castle: The aesthetic appeal of Beaumaris, with its symmetrical walls and swans swimming in the moat, is so unmistakable that it's hard to believe such a tranquil place was once designed to be one of the most fearsome links of the Iron Ring. Pair a visit to this castle with a round at Bull Bay Golf Club (pictured right). It's half an hour up the road, but on the sparsely-populated Isle of Anglesey it's an easy drive. Designed by Herbert Fowler of Walton Heath fame, Bull Bay is full of quirky surprises--a true “hidden gem” that sweeps around a pastoral, rugged headland.
Vale of Llangollen Golf Club / Castell Dinas Brân: Vale of Llangollen is a charming parkland layout in the verdant mid-Wales countryside. It's also challenging, having hosted numerous regional and national events. And while it would take a stout constitution to take a post-round hike up to Castell Dinas Brân (pictured left), situated on a dominating peak just outside of Llangollen town, it's well worth a visit. While many of the country's castles were built by outside forces, Dinas Brân is truly Welsh—it was an ancient stronghold of the princes of Powys. As such, its design is quite different than what one would find at an Iron Ring castle. For those looking for something a bit more “modern”, it should also be noted that lovely Chirk Castle, the last Edwardian era castle to still be inhabited today, is only ten minutes away.