skysports.com plays the Sea Course at Estonian Golf Club - an official European Tour venue.
skysports.com plays the Sea Course at Estonian Golf Club
Part of the European Tour's select portfolio of venues, Estonian Gold & Country Club's Sea Course already proved to be amongst the elite tracks in Europe by staging the qualifiers for the Omega World Cup.
Situated half an hour from the centre of the Estonian capital Tallinn, and just 15 minutes from the airport, Estonian Golf & Country Club's nestles down by the Baltic Coast and Jagala River delta offering some fantastic views as you make your way along.
A nine-hole Stone Course offers a good warm-up to your day, but it is no pushover as the links-like creation has some round-wrecking rough lying in wait making accuracy off the tee essential to post a good score.
A sense of history lingers all around the venue, especially on the Stone Course with several ancient burial grounds dotted about and very much in play, although you do get a free drop if your ball ends up in one but best not go and try a retrieve your ball and upset any lingering spirits.
Various historical artifacts have been found on site and some of these are in display in the unique clubhouse - a wooden structure modeled on a traditional Estonian farm house which dominates the skyline above the 18th green.
Facilities
Practice facilities are first rate as you would expect from a European Tour course, and the venue will be even better once nearby land is purchased and a second 18-hole course is built.
After tackling the Stone Course we were treated to lunch in the clubhouse where our guides, manager Hanno Kross and sales manager Pepe Aaviksoo, filled us in on future plans and just how tough it was managing a course that was only open April to October due to the devastating harsh winters Estonia has.
On the plus side to so much snow and ice pelting the course, during the summer months there is hardly any darkness so tee-times can be pushed right back in the evening to take advantage. Pepe explained that the very best time to play was August and September when the course is in optimum condition.
So then, on to the Sea Course and a tough opener - a par five measuring in at 447 metres (yes they use metres in Europe!) provides an early examination of driving accuracy - watching out for one of the many boulders scattered around the course that have been left on the property by the last ice age.
These help to add the touch of uniqueness that every good course needs to keep golfers interested, but the course design itself is also an intriguing one as not many holes strike fear into you upon first look, but many of them are far trickier than you think.
Well placed trees, use of boulders, and cunningly situated sand traps all mean that being in the wrong position off the tee can land you in a world of trouble, while a huge sandy waste ground is lying in wait on both the sixth and seventh holes.
Sand
The vast expanse of sand separates the two holes, and with it being on the right both times, needless to say that are two groups of players had time to stop and chat as we all ended up in there at least the once, and some of us twice!
Watch out for some well-placed water around as well, especially on 12, which protects the green to the right and will need to be carried if your tee shot is too far right and the pin is tucked away on the same side.
The par-four 13th has water which comes into play off the tee, especially with a slice such as mine, so maybe next time putting the driver away and sending a long iron/hybrid down the left hand side would be the smart play.
Smart plays are not what some people are after though when playing a course for the first time, especially our playing partner Klaus, our German friend who loved a chat and a laugh on the course and also had an unfeasible swing which he somehow managed to get right under control and he hardly mishit a shot all day.
Coupled with course manager Hanno having the round of his life and myself and playing partner Kevin Nash (not the famous American wrestler) had it all to do to try and grab a win out of our friendly match.
Dogleg
15 was probably my favourite hole as you dogleg left along the marshes down by the coast, although this was where a combination of being on a good round and an all square scoreline saw our match rise in intensity as the previously excellent good natured banter got a little quieter.
I also thought the opening and closing holes were excellent, with the 18th a tough uphill slog of a par five back towards the towering clubhouse which peers over the green. Luckily despite my ineptitude Kevin managed to sew-up a narrow victory, but Hanno was delighted enough with his personal score not to notice too much (and he still might allow us to return one day hopefully!).
All in all a most enjoyable round of golf, it may not be as spectacular as other big courses around Europe or have any of the gimmicks of huge water hazards or islands greens or anything like that, but it is a good test of golf and a well-maintained track despite the obvious disadvantages the Estonian winters bring with them.
The people at Estonian have done an excellent job of producing a fine course, which will only improve, and the addition of a second 18 hole course will also help no end, as well the continued construction of the spacious and uniquely designed villas dotted around the course - the ones situated off the fourth fairway would be my favourite with stunning views out to sea.
Added to an historic feel, and peaceful, beautiful location and with the sights and delights of Tallinn nearby and where most will be staying for now, then the journey is one well worth taking.
