The 4th opens out and finally allows you the freedom to swing the driver without fear of finding the trees. The par-4 3rd demands length and precision off the tee to thread between the pines that dominate this opening stretch. The 2nd is a strong par-3, well-bunkered with another rolling green. The severely undulating green is fast but true. The 1st plunges downhill into the woodland and instantly immerses you in the round. The round can consist of as many as seven par-5s, with six par-4s and five par-3s. The 1st, 4th and 9th holes, all par-5s off the silver tees I was playing from, were played as par-4s by the professionals. And this flexibility allows the par score to fluctuate between 70 and 74. Designed by the relatively unknown Simon Gidman, there are five teeing areas on each hole, meaning Centurion can play as short as 5,500 yards, or as long as 7,100. What is not up for question is the quality of the course. “It took me two seconds to decide ‘yes’,” Evans told Golf Business News. The head of Saudi Golf then said he wanted to turn the $2m prize fund into $25m and launch LIV at Centurion in June. And while there are those who will disagree with Centurion staging the events, it’s easy to see why they are difficult to turn down.Ĭenturion Club was the brainchild of Scott Evans a man who has been involved in the opening of Dubai Creek, Loch Lomond and Bearwood Lakes in Berkshire a man who is fully supportive of the Saudis investing huge sums of money into the sport.Įarlier this year, the club had been due to host the first Asian Tour event to be held in Europe – funded by the Saudis. The $2bn Saudi involvement in the men’s professional game is polarising. The LIV Golf Invitational at the Centurion Club. It is somewhat ironic though that the Saudi Arabian millions that have caused such controversy in the men’s game, are being lauded in the women’s game, despite coming from the same Public Investment Fund source. Now the infrastructure has gone, it’s easy to forget this championship-standard course hosted the first event of a series that has led to a civil war in the sport. On my previous visit to Centurion Golf Club, for the contentious LIV Golf opener, the range was home to the tournament’s fan zone. I’m running late, having spent a frustrating 90 minutes circumnavigating St Albans and Hemel Hempstead trying in vain to find a working charging station, so it’s a huge bonus to be able to fill up the car while I play.įrom the Courtyard, which allows an early view of a well-guarded 18 th green, flanked on one side by a lake and the other by bunkers, it’s a short walk to the driving range. The 8th is one of many stunning holes at Centurion ![]() An air of exclusivity hits you from the moment you drive up to the entrance gate and have your name checked to gain access to the car park – a car park that I’m delighted to find has half a dozen electric car charging points. The relaxed and informal vibe is a world away from what I was expecting when I rocked up 10 minutes earlier. There are several bar staff milling around, fetching coffees and enormous pastries and breakfast sandwiches. The retractable roof is in place, to shelter us from the threat of rain on this otherwise mild autumnal morning. The stunning clubhouse at Centurion Golf ClubĪn elegant clubhouse offers a warm welcome with most players gravitating towards the spacious Courtyard wing. The LIV Golf and the Aramco Team Series tournaments are scheduled to return in 2023, while planning has gone in for another nine holes. ![]() ![]() The Hertfordshire course, situated 25 miles north of London, is celebrating its 10 th anniversary in 2023 and has been creating headlines right through its first decade.įrom hosting the inaugural GolfSixes in 2017 and women’s Aramco Team Series, through to staging the first LIV Golf event in June 2022, Centurion Golf Club does not shy away from the innovative or controversial.Īnd just like the course, future aspirations are big and bold. No committees, no captains and a casual approach to clothing – welcome to Centurion Club, a golf club that does things differently.
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