Collingtree Park - Northamptonshire - England

Collingtree Park Golf Club is Johnny Miller’s first "Signature" course in the British Isles. The former British Open champion was no ordinary golfer and Miller’s 18-hole creation at Northampton is no ordinary golf course. After significant earthworks, 275 acres of uninspiring meadowland has been transformed into an exciting golf course, which opened for play in 1990. Luxury homes flank the fairways and over 11 acres of water wait to catch anything but the most perfectly struck shot.

Clearly proud of his creation, Miller said: "Great Britain is sacred ground for me...I've always wanted to design a course on British soil. We tried very hard to design a course that would speak to today's player and, at the same time, preserve the natural beauty of the land and the sense of tradition that's so much a part of golf in the British Isles." The PGA European Tour soon recognised Miller’s achievement. In 1995, and again in 1996, Collingtree Park hosted the British Masters – Sam Torrance and Robert Allenby claimed the titles.

The layout can be stretched to almost 7,000 yards from the back tees, but from the forward tees, the course is very playable and most enjoyable for the average golfer – providing, of course, that the numerous water hazards are avoided. There is a number of memorable holes, but it’s the long par five 18th that everyone talks about and it’s worthy of the excellent value green fee alone. After a solid drive and a lay up second shot, you’ll be presented with your third to an island green – a touch of Sawgrass in the Midlands. Make no mistake, a par at Collingtree Park’s closing hole is one to savour.