Slaley Hall – The Priestman Course

The Priestman is the Slaley course that lets you play a bit. After the Hunting the day before, it felt noticeably more open and forgiving, especially off the tee. There’s still plenty going on - elevation, streams, wind - but you’re given room to build a score if you stay patient.

This was day two of a Ryder Cup-style weekend and, crucially, the day our team got the job done. I played solid golf without ever needing to force anything. The front nine was where most of the good work happened and it felt like a course that rewards calm decision-making rather than hero shots.

The back nine still has teeth. A couple of holes can turn quickly if you lose focus, and there were moments where the card threatened to unravel. But overall it’s a course that gives you a chance to recover and keep things moving.

This was very much a team win, and credit goes to the lads for carrying the momentum. The Priestman suits that kind of golf - steady, supportive, competitive without being brutal. It’s a great counterpart to the Hunting and exactly what you want on the final day of a match-play weekend.