WELSH Rarebits is a unique collection of 46 properties of Wales top country hotels and inns, intimate
hideaways and luxury resort hotels.It is the brainchild of Emyr Griffith, who recently
said: "The secret's out. Wales is to host the 2010 Ryder Cup, and the world is now waking up to the
outstanding golf that is available throughout Wales."
So, throwing my clubs in the back of the car, I thought I'd better go and have a look for myself.
From Holyhead, a short drive gets one to Aberystwyth where Dee Reynolds, Regional Strategy Director,
Tourism Partnership Mid Wales told me there are 31 Golf Clubs in her area. I was surprised at the number.
I booked in at the Conrah County House Hotel. It was among the first hotels to be invited to become a
member of the Welsh Rarebits Collection, so I reckoned I knew what I was doing.

I soon found I had made an excellent choice - comfortable fire-lit drawing rooms, elegant bedroom
overlooking immaculate lawns, and Aberystwyth only 15 minutes down the road. Arrangements to play can be made by reception at this
6119 yard, par 70 course with panoramic views of Cardigan Bay and the mountains of North Wales. On this
Harry Vardon 18-hole course green fees are very modest - £20 mid week and £25 at weekends, and you do not
have to wait long to start playing.
Next day, driving north, I arrived at the Aberdovey Golf Club at the mouth of the Dovey estuary.

As you enter the clubhouse you will see on the wall a set of old clubs. They belonged to former members who
played here in 1882. The club itself was founded in 1892. In the history of the club, Bernard Darwin, great
grandson of Charles Darwin, features strongly. Besides being Captain and later President of Aberdovey, he
wrote as golf correspondent in The Times and Country Life from 1907 - 1961.
He once wrote 'Aberdovey is the course that my soul loves best of all the courses in the world.'

This 18-hole championship links course is bounded by sand dunes to the south and west and by the Cambrian
Coast Railway with a station on the opposite bank. And set in Snowdonia National Park, it is home to the
annual Welsh (men's) Senior Championship.
My next hotel was Bae Abermaw (Barmouth Bay). The dignified Victorian stone facade belies the owner's
choice of contemporary Scandinavian decor of white and natural wood interiors that are fastidiously minimalist.

My top floor room had a view over the harbour and out to sea. There is a useful car park by the side of the
hotel, but a lot of steps to negotiate. The food is imaginative, with excellent duck and lamb on the menu, and a very good selection of reasonably
priced wines.
The Royal St David's link course lies just below Harlech Castle, and has been described by some
professionals as 'the hardest par 69 in the world'. No end of compliments have been paid to this course.
Bernard Gallagher, Ryder Cup Captain, said: "It is no exaggeration to say that Royal St David is one of the
finest courses in the world."
Players will find a succession of long test par four holes and five short holes over the 6571 yards from
championship tees. Another feature is the large size of the greens. The last five holes form a loop through
the dunes that provide a finish equal to any.
Over the years the club has played host to over 50 major championships. And the Wales Senior Open this
year takes place on the first three days in July.Summer green fees are £52 per weekday and £62 per day
at weekends. After 15.00 hours the fees are respectively £26 and £32.

Close by, I stayed at the Maer-y-Neuadd (The Mansion in the Meadow). Peter Jackson, one of the partners who
owns the hotel is President of the Welsh Culinary Association. And Adam Taylor, one of his chefs in the
kitchen, has recently won a gold medal in the Culinary Olympics.
In the grounds of the estate are two large kitchen gardens with greenhouses that supply year round the
vegetables and herbs that make up the gourmet menus. Over the years the hotel has received the highest
culinary awards from the AA and the RAC and high praise in the leading Food and Wine guidebooks. This
historic granite mansion has inglenook fireplaces, oak beams and decorated plaster work.
Anyone coming to this area for the first time must visit the now world-famous Portmerion Village and
Gardens. Sir Clough William-Ellis began this project in 1926.

His lifelong concern was with architecture and the protection of rural Wales. He lived until he was 95
and completed these Italianate buildings and gardens in 1976 when he was 90-years-old.

The buildings have now been given a Grade Two listing.On site Hotel Portmerion and Castle Deudraeth close to
the site entrance are popular hotels and members of the Welsh Rarebits Hotels of Distinction.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Scotland has chosen Conwy Golf Club as a final
qualifying course for the 2006 Open Championship. Golf was originally played here as far back as 1869.

John Roger Jones, Past President of the Welsh Golfing Union and holder of six national amateur championships
said: "It would be difficult to imagine a better place to play golf than on these links beside the Conwy
Estuary." He went on to say that when the wind blows from the west, the true testing nature of the course is
revealed, challenging the best of ball strikers, and the last few holes down the gorse-lined fairways
provide a fitting climax. Green fees for visitors are £30 per round and £36 per day.

Within seven minutes of this course is Bodysgallen Hall and Spa. I have stayed here once every five years
since this 17th century house was converted into a hotel just over two decades ago.It can only be spoken of in superlatives regarding
service, furnishings, and food and wine.
The first-class facilities now extend to a magnificent spa and leisure complex containing a 50-foot swimming
pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam room, gymnasium and beauty treatment rooms. With its 19 bedrooms, it is
without doubt one of the finest hotels in Europe.
For 2005, Welsh Rarebits hotels have teamed up with some of Wales's top courses, to offer attractive
breaks ranging from three to seven nights. All golf packages are tailor made to suit the individual's requirements.

Contact Emyr Griffith personally at Welsh Rarebits for itineraries and costs at Welsh Rarebits, Prince's
Square, Montgomery, Wales SY15 6P2; or telephone 01686 668030.

A golf brochure and also a Welsh Rarebits Hotels of Distinction brochure are available from the above address. Also for further information visit the
website www.welsh.rarebits.co.uk

BY PETER MCGREGOR-EADIE