A name synonomous with golf, Wentworth offers three inland championship golf courses and plays annual host to two of the most important events on the European Tour - the PGA Championship and the World Matchplay. Harry Colt designed both the Wentworth East Course and West Course in the 1920's and although the East Course gained the early acclaim, the West Course was always considered to be the tougher test and it is this layout that is known and revered throughout the world.

If the West Course at Wentworth first shot to prominence when it hosted the 1953 Ryder Cup, then its status was cemented when it staged the 1956 Canada Cup, which the United States won at a canter, with Ben Hogan making his only competitive appearance in England. And then came the World Matchplay in 1964, when Arnold Palmer emerged victorious and set the aristocratic tone of events to come. Over the years, the World Matchplay has yielded a list of champions worthy of the venue - Player, Ballesteros, Nicklaus, Charles, Irwin, Norman, O' Meara, Montgomerie and Woosnam are among the list of golfing legends that have prevailed.

The West Course, which winds like a snake through a densely wooded estate and offers tightly bordered fairways, begins with a huge par four of some 470 yards in length from the championship stakes. The 2nd hole, though a relatively short par three, is another great hole, with the bunker placement on the right the making of the challenge. The par four, 7thhole may be rather innocuous looking from the tee but can often prove devilishly tough, requiring an uphill approach over a well-positioned bunker. And the inconvenient presence of a pond in front of the 8th green makes this hole another interesting challenge.

It's the homeward stretch however, that ensures that Wentworth's West Course is an acclaimed matchplay venue. A recently built elevated tee has made the approach to the angled green on the 11th even tougher, while the uphill 440-yard 13th is a splendid driving hole. Last of the long par fours, the 15th requires a strong drive and brave approach over a stream and is rated by many as the finest hole on the course. But it is on the two closing par fives that the serious drama can unfold. With the 17th bending to the left and the 18th bending to the right, the key here is position from the tee. You can be assured that every element of your game is tested over the closing holes.

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