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Wentwood
Hills might be the main event for golfers at the
Celtic Manor, but The
Roman Road
Course is a rather unique second
option for a variety of reasons. For starters, its
unique name is drawn from a particular reference to an
ancient roadway from Roman-Britain, which bisects the
land the course is laid upon. Secondly, it is one of the few sister resort courses
that can stand up under scrutiny to its larger
sibling. When the course opened in 1995, it was the
first course at the resort. Although Wentwood Hills
would later be built and attract the world’s
attention and the Ryder Cup, Roman Road
stands dutifully by and provides a great second course
for visitors. It is shortish, with a par of just 69,
but the 6,685-yard course plays as long as any par-72.
The original design has been somewhat altered after
extensive renovations and expansions to the resort
property in 1999, but the two courses compliment each
other beautifully. The harmony can be said to be
familial, and it rings true on a variety of levels:
Robert Trent Jones Sr. actually designed Roman Road
before his son arrived with the blueprint for Wentwood
Hills.
The
course, like its sister, runs across a variety of
terrain, which affords a fine balance throughout. The
course really finds its legs on the first of the
rolling holes, the downhill 586-yard par-five third
hole. The
drive must find the fairway after a carry over a
ravine, with trees left and bunkers on the right. Once
this daunting task is behind the golfer, strategy of
playing for position ensues. The 100-yard range
affords a flatter lie to approach the well-bunkered
green that also boasts plenty of movement from front
to back. The sprawling countryside which makes the
entire resort setting so spectacular is nowhere more
evident than beyond the green.
Another
long hole greets the golfers at the 461-yard par-four
sixth hole. The tee shot should ideally clear the
ridge in the fairway to set up an easier approach to
the small elevated green. The view here is from a gorgeous ridgeline
that borders the left side, which offers a nice
respite after the course's most difficult hole has
more than likely bruised one's spirit.
The
back nine begins with what is probably the most
interesting and photogenic hole on the course. The
dogleg right hole plays sharply downhill, with the
approach needing to carry a natural ravine that
protects the surface. The green perched
in the shadow of the hotel is quite shallow and
requires a delicate approach to hold the surface. With
the hotel as the backdrop, it is little wonder that
some golfers get stagefright, but two smart shots
can lead to par.
Following
the 12th and 13th, which play in front of the hotel,
the 14th returns to a more secluded setting with a
challenging 380-yard par four. The hole is guarded by
a large lake on the left side that parallels the
fairway and protects the green in front. The tee shot
requires a steady nerve and must find the fairway to
set up a reasonable approach. Three bunkers also
protect the green, further requiring the golfer to
find the putting surface above all else. Although the
hole does not rely on length, the challenge is still
evident, clearly living up to its label as the third
hardest hole on the course.
Having
crossed the road and back again, the finishing hole
returns to the clubhouse in style. Measuring 449 yards
from the back markers, the drive is into a slender
strip of fairway that is pinched on either side by
fairway bunkers. The approach is played into a long
and somewhat narrow green that sits beside the grand
clubhouse. Generally an audience in the 19th hole
awaits the shots into the closing hole, which helps
turn up the heat for those in need of a closing par.
Clearly
laid out with skill and finesse,
Roman Road
offers golfers more than just a chance to warm-up for
the Wentwood Hills. The course measures 6,685 yards
from the back tees, affording the golfer all the
challenge they wish. It is the undulating topography
and cunning greens that leave the lasting impression
and have return visitors anxious for another crack.
With the omnipresent beautiful scenery that graces the
resort, the course will continue to be a hit with all
comers. |
