This is the older of the two Winston courses and has in recent years been overshadowed a bit by the spectacular Winston Links. But the Open is a worthy course in its own right and has hosted the European Senior Tour for a couple of years before the Links was sufficiently grown in to take over. It's curious that the Open course exhibits a bit of David Krause's style of unabashed eclecticism, while in fact being designed by local hero Holger Rengstorf.

The terrain is close to ideal for golf. There are undulations, but none too severe and enough natural features to make things interesting. As an example, there is a hill on the property, which is used for two tees, the 4th and the 16th. Getting to the top is just a short walk and the holes are far enough apart to avoid the "not again" effect and instead foster a sense of familiarity. Other holes have artificial features like sleepered bunkers or a stone wall, which also work very well.

The soil is very good, it can absorb a lot of rain and the rolling terrain helps in channeling excess water off the fairways. Combined with rigorous maintenance standards this means that playability will rarely be compromised. It could actually be a downright great course, if it hadn't a few pedestrian holes like #9 and #14. But in any event it is a lot of fun to play and shouldn't be missed when visiting the resort. And those who are of two minds about the faux links on the other side of the clubhouse will not leave disappointed: there's always the very enjoyable Winston Open to fall back to.