St Mellion (Kernow)

Designed and laid out by J. Hamilton Stutt in the mid-1970s, the Kernow course on the St Mellion Estate is the perfect complement to the Nicklaus Signature layout which opened for play at the resort in 1988.

Much of the Old course, as it was first called, occupies what was previously a potato farm belonging to Hermon and Martin Bond. In 2010, the course was significantly remodelled by Alan Leather who introduced nine new holes.

Nowadays, the course extends to just over 5,600 yards, playing to a par of 70 (36 out then 34 in), with holes arranged as two returning nines. Water features occasionally on the back nine, most significantly at the short par four 10th and the par three 14th, where ponds protect the front of the green at both holes,

Somewhat unusually, a round here starts with back-to-back par fives and there’s another 3-shotter to play at the right veering 8th. With no par fives on the inward half, the back nine measures almost 700 yards shorter than the outward half.

Highlight holes include the long par three 3rd; the right doglegging par four 6th (rated stroke index 1); the short par four 13th (rated stroke index 2); along with the final (and shortest) par three on the card at the 125-yard 16th, where three large bunkers circle the green.