The "Pimpley" Short Course

Bob Gillham New Bern, NC,USA

“Just a short note to express my appreciation and admiration for the pleasure of visiting and playing Royal North Devon on 3 July this year.  The warm welcome and generous time spent with myself and my two companions by the staff and members made the day one to remember for many years to come.  I had previously corresponded with Mr. Hughes regarding the my visit, but his praise of Royal North Devon was understated when compared to actually being in Westward Ho!  It is a rare treat to play a natural course, one not created artificially, and to see the sheep, horses, and other animals roaming in their natural state.  The highlight was sitting in the clubhouse after the round and seeing a sheep come on to the 18th green and shake the flagstick.

I wish you and the club great success on your `150th year, and may you have at least 150 years more.”

Phil Caffull

"After many years of owning a caravan at Surfbay and enjoying many hours watching others play your beautiful course, I finally arranged to play it myself on the 18th March 2012. Me and 3 friends had been looking forward to this since I booked the tee time some weeks ago. None of us had played links golf before (we live in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire) and had been told that you either love it or hate it. Well I can confirm thanks to our experience at your club 4 more golfers have been converted to the joys of links golf. We were made very welcome by all staff and enjoyed a hearty "Full English" in the restaurant. The course was in fantastic condition and the greens were immaculate. The course guide is a must for anyone who has not played there before.
Thanks for a fantastic day and we all look forward to returning in the near future hopefully this time finding fewer bunkers."

Kevin Harris

"We booked and invited family from Torbay for Sunday Lunch on the last October weekend. To say we were impressed is an understatement. Food quality, ambience and staff attention was excellent. The lamb shank was to die for ! The parsnips were devoured by the kids and extras readily supplied with smiles and encouragement by the staff. The small (!) portion beat the mother-in-law so I know the beef was excellent too !! Our family vote is very positive and rates the new catering by PaR Dining as a significant improvement in quality and we look forward to our next visit. Thank you and keep up the good work Kevin A Harris"

Richard Ager Visitors from Royal Eastbourne

"If you like links golf, you'll love RND. If you don't like links golf, you should come and give RND a try (because you'll probably be converted). You can probably guess from that opening comment that I've fallen in love with RND. Whilst we were blessed with reasonably gentle conditions (a two club wind), it is easy to imagine how much of a test the course would be when the wind is up. Our whole experience was first class, the condition of the course, the views, the friendliness of the staff and members and the atmosphere that oozes history (the clubhouse is a golf historian's dream). As a visitor, you get the real sense tha RND is saying " we know we have a fabulous club and we are delighted to share it with you". Without doubt, one of the very best days golf of my life."

Russell Tiffany

"I turned up at the golf club as a single golfer and was quickly helped by the Pro-shop. I was soon out on the course with a member thoroughly enjoying this lovely course. Thanks again for you hospitality and Mike for having the patience to explain how to navigate my way around this tricky course. SUPERB!!"

Liz Bird Newquay Golf Club

"I entered the August meeting because I had never played RND and had heard so much about it. I was very impressed by the welcome receiving 2 phone calls before we had the starting time! The course itself is a beautiful links. The weather was great and I was fortunate to play it under such benign conditions. We had a cracking couple of days helped by good golf and friendly members. We both won a couple of prizes and yet you were all keen for us to come back again. The course played well with the wind and the greens being it's best defence. Lovely facilities too. We will be back but perhaps not in a tent this time!"

Lorna Young and Ian Thomson

We want to thank you, the staff and members of your club, for making us so welcome when we visited and played your course back in June. We had a wonderful afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed playing the course and meeting some of the members out on the course. We were made to feel very welcome and we have spread the word about your club since returning.

Again many thanks and please pass this on to your staff and club members.

Tim Wilson

My son and I played yesterday at RND and we had a superb round - the course was magnificent and we really enjoyed being back on a true links course. The greens were in excellent shape for November