54 holes played. 5 more won’t hurt! It was time to test the Par 3 course. Walking to the first tee our strategy was anything but similar; one player, carrying a wedge and putter, another only a half bag and the third, full bag and with pockets full of golf balls. I then recalled this from our arrival yesterday …
Through the quaint forest drive, you catch glimpses of it; short cut green grass, large mounded greens, some water, towering pine trees and contrasting sand bunkers. This is your first glimpse of Pärnu Bay Golf Links.
Turning the corner into the main drive you can see the prominent Clubhouse directly ahead, ocean behind, golf course left and golf course right. This is an impressive entrance. As we slowly continued the drive, our peripheral vision was working overtime, left and right, whilst looking straight ahead, encapsulating everything, not daring to miss the striking beauty of it all.
The “golf course left” happened to be the Par 3 course, short game area and even range, although from the road you could quite easily expect it to be part of the main links. I like Par 3 courses, the challenge, the fun, the banter. I like them even more when they are built like this. Pärnu Bay has 5 holes and the experience reminds me of the Par 3 course at The Bears Club.
My form to date was ‘improving’ and this was my chance to take advantage of my 4 wedges and superior putting. It started for all with a GIR and finished with a play off between two. There were no lost balls, some incredible up and downs and a monster putt from downtown. The comradery when you play golf is something you cherish, the banter is something you revel in, the fact that one of your playing partners took only a wedge and putter when one of the 5 holes needs a 7 iron to get there, something you laugh at for a long time.
The Par 3’s are just as good as those on the main links and could easily be substituted without affecting the integrity of the design. The greens feature the same bold movement and the options to choose a shot remain high and at your disposal. The ball rolls true and if you are heading to Pärnu, playing the Par 3 course is a must. It’s a great place to take golf less seriously and a memorable place to record your first victory in Estonia. ?
/ Marc
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