The North West Golf Guide by The Golf Guide

Complimentary

June - July 2010

THE NORTH WEST

How to find... Your guide to courses in the North West, including directions for locating each one

Featured Course Hesketh Golf Club, Southportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oldest Golf Club with125 years of history

Plus Features, Latest news, Costa del Sol...

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Welcome North West Golf Guide

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Featured Course

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Cheshire

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Greater Manchester

084 Lancashire 102 Merseyside 120 Travel

Welcome to the North West Golf Guide Welcome to the second issue of the North West Golf Guide. This magazine has been designed to help the local and National golfer in selecting and finding the course they wish to play in the North West of England. It gives each golf club the chance to showcase their course and facilities with superb photography and enough information to wet the appetite of any golfer or group of golfers who wish to visit. The North West Golf Guide has been brought to you by the people who publish the Costa del Sol Golf Guide. This formula has worked for many years in Spain and is already proving a similar success in the North West of England. This bi-monthly magazine will contain in depth reviews of Golf Clubs, Local and International News items, and special promotions. A select number of courses each month will have editorial describing the course, the facilities and signature holes and contain the directions to the course. These editorials are the chance for each club to highlight itself and detail any offers and deals they have running during that period.

The magazine is split into 4 areas. Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire. These areas are colour coded, containing a map highlighting where each course can be found. Whilst in our first issue we will feature a number of the courses in each region, this will increase issue by issue. A full golf course listing will be featured in the magazine containing the address, phone number, email and website of every golf course in the North West of England. The Golf Guide is aimed at golfers of all levels from professionals, club players, beginners and societies. We hope that you will find this free publication an enjoyable read, and a must for choosing your golfing calendar of events in the North West for 2010. The next issue will be available from all golf clubs, and select golf shops, driving ranges and hotels from the start of August. Happy golfing from all at the North West Golf Guide!

The whole of the text and all of the photographs and illustrations in this publication are protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden. While every effort has been made to maintain integrity and check for accuracy, the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for any problems, inconvenience, loss, injury or legal proceedings of any kind arising from information, advice or advertisements contained herein. All rights reserved.

Issue 2. June - July 2010 Cover Image & Above: Hesketh Golf Club Published bi-monthly by North West Golf Guide Ltd Reg Office 112-114 Witton Street Northwich, Cheshire CW9 5NW Company No. 7107182 Email: info@golfguidepublications.com Web: www.golfguidepublications.com Publisher: Paul Lambert Telephone: 07786 548629 Email: paul@golfguidepublications.com Director: Kenny Plumb Telephone: 07740 411778 Email: kenny@golfguidepublications.com Printed by: B&D Print Services Ltd Rawcliffe House, Marathon Place Leyland, Lancashire PR26 7QN Tel: 01772 426635. Fax: 01772 426601 Designed by: www.Qreative.es

News North West Golf Guide

Ryder Cup Europe have received the 5 bids for The 2018 Ryder Cup The Ryder Cup Evaluation Panel visited France, Germany, Holland, Portugal and Spain over a three week period recently to accept the Bid Documents, evaluate the progress being made by each country and to make site inspections of the potential venue for 2018. The whistle-stop tour by the panel, comprising Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills and his team of Edward Kitson, David

MacLaren and Gordon Simpson, provided a fascinating insight into the tireless work done behind by scenes by the five bid nations to compile and present their documents by the April 30 deadline. Each country placed a unique stamp on their individual bids as the Evaluation Panel visited, in chronological order, France, Holland, Portugal, Germany and Spain. The commitment to stage The 2018 Ryder Cup shone through in the simple form of each candidate’s unique catchphrase. France have opted for “Passion, Prestige and Panache”…for Holland it is “The Gateway to Europe”. Portugal’s slogan is “Got Game… Got Garra (Willpower)”; Germany’s motto is “Emotions Made in Germany” with Spain selecting “Todos Juntas (All Together)”.

Many iconic names from the world of sport have threw their weight behind the respective bids, from German footballer Oliver Kahn to Dutch tennis player Richard Krajicek, Spanish international goalkeeper Iker Cassillas and a host of leading golfers including five-time Major Champion Seve Ballesteros. The overwhelming message from several of those athletes was the desire to see The Ryder Cup staged in their homeland. Hills expressed his utmost respect for the quality and commitment of the five Bid Documents and said: “Every country delivered in terms of the professionalism and presentation of their bids. Our Panel was humbled by the warmth of the welcome in France, Germany, Holland, Portugal and Spain.

“Many iconic names from the world of sport have threw their weight behind the respective bids... including five-time Major Champion Seve Ballesteros.” “We will meet each candidate nation at least once more in the coming months for further dialogue and clarification. At the moment we are entering a period of evaluation and validation of the five bids and we will be briefing our Ryder Cup partners in the PGA and the PGAs of Europe. “We will also have dialogue with the three influential independent observers who are assisting in the bid process, namely Nick Bitel, Jaime Byrom and Michael Payne, who bring a wealth of knowledge from the legal and sporting arenas.” Hills added: “Once we have conducted the initial evaluation and clarified any points of issue, the culmination of the bid process will be the signing of conditional contracts with all five bidding nations. The contract with the successful candidate will be activated on the announcement of the winning bid in April 2011.”

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Matteo Manassero Makes stride into professional golf with Footjoy “Seventeen year-old Manassero first burst on to the scene at sixteen years of age when becoming the youngest ever winner of British Amateur Championship in 2009.”

European Marketing Manager at FootJoy. “He has some astounding achievements already in his short career, and we look forward to further success with him in the future.” Seventeen year-old Manassero first burst on to the scene at sixteen years of age when becoming the youngest ever winner of British Amateur Championship in 2009. Since then he has taken the golf world by storm; claiming the Silver medal and 13th place in the Open Championship at Turnberry. In 2010 he became the youngest ever competitor at the Masters Tournament, and won the Silver Cup for low amateur while finishing in 36th place.

Reigning British Amateur Champion to Wear FJ Shoes and Glove as Manassero announces future in professional ranks FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove in golf, is delighted to announce the signing of the former world #1 amateur Matteo Manassero to a multi-year shoe and glove deal. The young Italian put his faith in FootJoy during his elite amateur career, and will continue to

do so as a professional. Currently choosing the unrivalled style and performance of the FJ ICON™ and powerful grip of the StaSof® glove, Manassero has tee’d up in his home event, The BMW Italian Open, where he made his debut as a professional. “Matteo is a fantastic young player who we at FootJoy are extremely excited to be working with,” commented Richard Fryer,

Manassero joins the industry leader at a time when the brand has significant momentum with a tremendous product line and an unparalleled stable of players. The ultra-stable SYNR-G™ shoe category continues to be the shoes of choice for many of the game’s best players such as Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson. In addition, the new flagship shoe category, FJ ICON, delivers the perfect blend of performance and stylish elegance and has quickly attracted a loyal following from elite players Ian Poulter, Camilo Villegas, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and now Manassero. As a new era dawns with young up and coming stars of the future it is clear FootJoy remains the overwhelming favourite for not only the world’s elite, but for golfers of all abilities around the world.

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The Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club from 29th July to 1st August

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew will defend her title at the 2010 Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club from 29thJuly to 1st August. Catriona (pictured left) will be joined by the winner of the year’s first Major, Yani Tseng, and Michelle Wie, who won the Ricoh Women’s British Open Amateur Medal in 2005 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Catriona triumphed at the 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club only 11 weeks after the birth of her second daughter, Sophie, and just three weeks before her 40th birthday.

In recognition of her extraordinary win, Matthew was recently selected by her fellow LPGA players as the recipient of the Heather Farr Player Award which honours an LPGA player who has demonstrated determination, perseverance and spirit in fulfilling her goals as a player. She was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List and was also named 2009 Ladies European Tour Player of the Year. Yani won her second Major title earlier this month at the 2010 Kraft Nabisco Championship after a final round 68 which included a pace-setting eagle at the second hole. She held off the intimidating challenge of a number of

News Photographs of Royal Birkdale Golf Club by Alan C. Birch

North West Golf Guide

“Catriona will be joined by the winner of the year’s first Major, Yani Tseng, and Michelle Wie, who won the Ricoh Women’s British Open Amateur Medal in 2005...” Major champions coming out at the top of a final leaderboard where 10 of the top 14 had one or more Major titles on their C.V. Michelle Wie (pictured right), who won her first LPGA title in Mexico last year, is looking forward to a return to Royal Birkdale having finished tied third there in 2005 and was the youngest Amateur Medal winner. Five years on since impressing the knowledgeable Birkdale crowd, she turned twenty in October, making her one of the youngest members of the 2009 US Solheim Cup team. Catriona said, “I am really excited to be defending my title at Birkdale. I have had a remarkable 12 months since the birth of Sophie which would probably have been more than enough excitement on it’s own. Add that to winning my first Major and I feel very fortunate.”

She continued, “I certainly didn’t arrive at Lytham last year with high expectations but I was still putting a lot of pressure on myself as I knew I needed a good finish to have a hope of qualifying for the European Solheim Cup team. This year will obviously be different with the pressures that accompany any defending champion but I am looking forward to it. What a wonderful position to be in and I know I will feel enormous pride when I am announced on that first tee as the defending Champion.” Yani, whose latest Major triumph has taken her to Number Two on the Rolex World Rankings added, “Winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship has given me a lot of confidence so now I am very excited for the rest of the year’s Majors. I enjoyed playing links golf last year and am looking forward to playing at Royal Birkdale for my first time.”

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Southport’s Oldest Golf Club 125 years of history

Southport Golf Club (now Hesketh) was founded in January 1885. Southport was a socially advantaged town waiting for a golf club to happen. In 1888, a feature writer for the Liverpool Porcupine speculated that it was ‘...the richest town in the world in proportion to its population.’ The 29 founder members were strongly linked to the local 13th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers. The south west Lancashire coast has the largest and arguably finest tract of sand dunes in the country. It was to become the home of an extraordinary cluster of internationally renowned golf courses. The Southport course was at the northern extremity of this belt, where the sand dunes give way to the marshes of the Ribble Estuary. It was laid out by J.O.F. Morris of St. Andrews. The Field reported that: ‘The ground is partly hilly and partly level and some very fine putting greens are to be found.’ The course was on Hesketh land and the club room was in the New Inn on Fleetwood Road. The Rifle Volunteers had their firing

range close by and used the same pub. The landowner and former C.O of the Volunteers, Colonel Edward Hesketh, was the first President of the golf club. Tom Morris ‘...sent a man’ from St. Andrews ‘...to look after the course and to supply clubs to all who may require them.’ Formby Golf Club, which shared two founder members with Southport, was founded a month earlier and took part in Southport’s first inter-club match. By June the Club was staging an open amateur competition, which was won by that great son of Hoylake — John Ball. All was not well, however, at this new course. Between the links and expanding Southport was Little Ireland, a lawless Irish tinker settlement of small in sanitary dwellings, ‘neighbors from Hell’ for the golf club. The Club was offered alternative accommodation from Southport’s other landowner — Charles Scarisbrick, who was also a founder member. As a result the Club moved inland to a new course in 1891.

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An open amateur competition was won by Harold Hilton, the second great golfing son of Hoylake. The members of the infant Club subscribed £52 to a pool of prize money for a Southport Open Professional Tournament. This was sufficient to draw an outstanding field, including golf’s ‘Great Triumvirate’. It was won by Harry Vardon who took away £20, whilst Taylor and Braid came second and fifth respectively. The Hesketh Estate came into the hands of Charles Bibby Fleetwood and he saw golf as a means of revitalising the residential development of the estate. He evicted the residents of Little Ireland, built a magnificent new clubhouse of manor house proportions, on a hill dominating the entrance to the Ribble Estuary, had an 18-hole course laid out around it and in 1902 offered the Southport Club the opportunity to return to the Marshside Hills. His terms were tough but the prize was great and the Club accepted. As part of the agreement it changed its name to Hesketh.

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The course occupied much of the ground of the old course. George Lowe, the professional from St. Anne’s designed the new course and supervised its construction. The 385 yard long (now the 15th) became the signature hole. The drive was blind over tall sand dunes as was the approach to the green. Harold Hilton was to write: ‘This hole has been eulogised by many as the best in the north of England, while some go further and term it the finest that they have ever played in their lives.’ G.F. Smith, the club captain in 1904, dominated competition at Hesketh. He won 71 scratch competitions at the Royal Liverpool, West Lancashire, Formby, Birkdale and Royal Lytham, all clubs of which he was a member. When the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs inaugural County Championship was played at Hesketh in 1910, this English international was the Champion. Hesketh was to be very influential in the formation of the English Golf Union in 1924.

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J. Rayner Batty, a Hesketh captain, convened an exploratory meeting and became the Union’s first president after its foundation. The 1930s saw the emergence of Southport as a top venue for competitive professional golf The Corporation shared the cost of mounting an annual golf tournament with the Dunlop sports’ goods company. The four major local clubs shared the hosting of the Dunlop-Southport Tournament. It was the 1930s that saw the flowering of the extraordinary golfing talents of the Bentley brothers — Harold and Arnold. Members at Hesketh from boyhood, both brothers were English Amateur Champions and between them they held a number of other European national amateur titles. Both were internationals, whilst Harold was a Walker Cup player and Arnold played for the EGU in a two man team in a competition run in conjunction with Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics. The English team won and this, along with the other achievements of these remarkable brothers, who were close

friends of Henry Cotton, are commemorated in the displays in the Club’s Bentley Room. From 1971 Hesketh joined the other three Southport championship courses as qualifying courses for The Open Championship when it was played at Royal Birkdale. In 2008 Hesketh was honoured to host the Junior Open, a major international event mounted by the R&A in conjunction with the Open. The 100th Lancashire County Championship will take place at Hesketh this year and the Amateur Championship in 2011. Hesketh continues to offer visitors an attractive and challenging course, a welcoming clubhouse and an opportunity to share in the Club’s rich golfing heritage. Contact Details: Hesketh Golf Club Cockle Dick’s Lane, Southport PR9 9QQ Telephone: 01704 536897 Email enquiries via website www.heskethgolfclub.co.uk

News North West Golf Guide

www.europeantour.com

European Tour In Full Bloom

Photo ÂŠTaylorMade

News North West Golf Guide

“Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell won on The Twenty Ten Course – where The Ryder Cup will take place on October 1-3 - at The Celtic Manor Resort.” The European Tour garden is awash with colour this summer with Justin Rose the latest Member to come into full bloom. Every garden needs variety and The European Tour has this in abundance, from the climbing Rose, to the exciting new flowers such as Rhys Davies, Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlory, the hardy perennials such as Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jiménez, the exotic international species such as Y E Yang or Noh Seungyul or the shrubs that lay dormant for years only to suddenly bear fruit, such as Fredrik Anderson Hed and Simon Khan. Rose was the latest to flourish and his victory in the Memorial Tournament not only marked his US breakthrough but also continued a golden spell for European golf on the global stage through the first half of the year. The Englishman is the third European to win in America already this season, following his close friend and Ryder Cup partner Ian Poulter’s success in the WGC – Accenture World Match

Play and McIlroy’s stunning victory in the Quail Hollow Championship.

winning bogey-free final round of 66 on the course that Jack built in Ohio.

Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie was swift to praise the latest European to conquer America, and thanked him for following orders.

“We all know that Justin had that awful slump (21 successive missed cuts at the start of his professional career) and he has proved himself,” Montgomerie said.

Rose won his first US PGA Tour title after deciding not to enter The Celtic Manor Wales Open, but Montgomerie, speaking after qualifying for next month’s Open Championship at St Andrews with a course record-equalling 62 on the New Course in the qualifier at Sunningdale, commented: “I said, ‘I don’t mind you not playing Wales if you perform somewhere else’.

“He’s a Ryder Cup player already and this puts him in position again.”

“It’s a fantastic time for European golf with Justin winning so well and three great results at Celtic Manor.” Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell won on The Twenty Ten Course – where The Ryder Cup will take place on October 1-3 - at The Celtic Manor Resort with Rhys Davies second and Luke Donald third only hours before Rose shot a

Rose and Poulter combined to form the most potent European partnership in The Ryder two years ago, while McDowell, the other victor on Sunday, was similarly impressive on his debut at Valhalla. He has a reputation for match play and in tandem with fellow Northern Irishman McIlroy in the Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros last September they were unbeatable. In every corner of the garden there is something to admire. Lee Westwood, Europe’s Number One, excelled in the season’s first Major at Augusta National, beaten only by an inspired Phil Mickelson, and Westwood will head into the US Open next week high in confidence

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“Spain’s Alvaro Quiros enjoyed that special feeling of winning his own national Open in May when he captured the Open de España.” after finishing third, third and second in the last three Major Championships. Spain’s Alvaro Quiros enjoyed that special feeling of winning his own national Open in May when he captured the Open de España while South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, Sweden’s Peter Hanson and latterly Donald have also triumphed on Spanish soil, Donald shrugging off the disappointment of the BMW PGA Championship by winning the Madrid Masters a week later and climbing into the top ten in the Official World Golf Ranking. Donald’s elevation to World Number Eight made it four Englishmen in the top ten in the world, led by Westwood at three, Poulter, the current leader of The Race to Dubai, at six, then Donald and Paul Casey, who also reached the final of the WGC – Accenture World Match Play, at Number Nine. With Els, winner of the WGC- CA Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour this year, at seventh and McIlroy tenth, European Tour Members make up six of the world’s top ten players. From the moment Spain’s Pablo Martin, who in 2007 made European Tour history

as the first player to win as an amateur, secured his second European Tour title by winning the opening event – the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa - of the season, Tour Members have flourished. Richie Ramsay, the Scottish former world number one ranked amateur, took the South African Open title before Charl Schwartzel found his stride on home turf, winning both the Africa and Joburg Opens to set the early pace in The Race to Dubai. The desert swing is always an exciting part of the season and while some plants might not take kindly to the arid soils, Germany’s Martin Kaymer (Abu Dhabi Golf Championship), Sweden’s Robert Karlsson (Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy) and Spain’s Jiménez (Omega Dubai Desert Classic) clearly had no issues in the heat of the desert. It was particularly pleasing to witness Karlsson’s return to the winners’ enclosure after a season dogged by an eye injury after the highs of 2008. As The Race to Dubai moved east, Australian Andrew Dodt joined the list of Tour champions when he won the Avantha Masters in India before Korean

Noh Seung-yul became the youngest professional winner in Tour history by claiming the Maybank Malaysian Open at the tender age of 18 years and 282 days. Welshman Davies finished joint third in Malaysia and underlined his burgeoning talent with victory in the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco. Three subsequent runner-up finishes have put him in the frame for a Ryder Cup debut at The Celtic Manor Resort. James Morrison became another English winner when he rose from the Challenge Tour to claim the Madeira Islands Open BPI - Portugal which was followed by a victory for Korea’s Yang at the Volvo China Open. Australia’s Marcus Fraser was another international Tour Member to taste victory by winning the Ballantine’s Championship on Jeju Island in Korea while on the US PGA Tour there had been success for European Tour Members Geoff Ogilvy, of Australia (SBS Championship), Colombia’s Camilo Villegas (The Honda Classic), American Anthony Kim (Shell Houston Open), South Africa’s Tim Clark (The Players Championship) and Australia’s Adam Scott (Valero Texas Open).

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Meanwhile, since The Race to Dubai arrived on European soil, there has been an eruption of colour, from Quiros’ win in Spain to Andersson Hed’s tearful victory in the BMW Italian Open, when he put 14 visits to the Qualifying School behind him with his victory in Turin. Hanson made it back-to-back Swedish successes with his win in the Iberdrola Open Cala Millor Mallorca before Khan, just a few months after winning The European Tour Qualifying School, changed his life by winning the BMW PGA Championship, the Tour’s flagship event, at Wentworth Club and became another Englishman to triumph And last week, The European Tour travelled to Wales to the Celtic Manor Resort for a final dress rehearsal for The Twenty Ten Course ahead of The Ryder Cup. Montgomerie said all along it would do a player’s chances of making the team no harm should he win over the course that will host The Ryder Cup in October and the European Captain was delighted with the outcome. McDowell produced a simply brilliant victory over the course where he

hopes to earn his second Ryder Cup cap against the Americans, but he was forced to pull out all the stops to secure his fifth European Tour title. In-form Davies, fired-up by the home fans, was the man to put the heat on with a stunning course record 62 in which he covered the middle 12 holes in ten under par. But McDowell matched the Welshman’s front nine 30, before closing with a 63 for a 15 under par total of 269. So in a remarkable day’s golf on both sides of the Atlantic, McDowell had won again, Davies elevated his own growing stature, Donald had completed a brilliant 3-1-2 in successive European Tour events and Rose could not have picked a sweeter title for his first American success than Jack Nicklaus’s Memorial Tournament in which McIlroy secured another top ten finish. The 2010 season is almost at the halfway point, only three months remain for Ryder Cup qualification, and with the US Open little more than a week away with expectations high for a strong European challenge now is a great time to smell the flowers.

Feature North West Golf Guide

“It’s a Funny Old Game” Is that football or golf Greavsie? Article written by Kenny Plumb

Feature North West Golf Guide

Footballing legend Jimmy Greave’s famous catchphrase ‘it’s a funny old game!’ was used to describe the idiosyncrasies of our national sport, but is this line better suited to our other beautiful game?

Golf is a game like no other, it can build you up, and then knock you down within a heartbeat. Of course, football can do the same, in fact I could probably hear a decent argument for that same sentiment in any sport. But while other sports may have the ability to infuriate and even bewilder at times, surely no other can take you from greatness to total incompetence so easily and so frequently? What other sport takes you from playing like Ernie Els to playing like Ernie Wise in the space of a single shot? We have all hit that perfect shot, middle of the clubface that flies like an exorcet to it’s intended target with unerring accuracy. Then the next shot squirts off at a right angle never to be seen again!! We have all stood on the first tee and hit a glorious drive straight down the middle of the fairway. Then you hear the voices in your head “this is it, today is the day when it all comes good” or “ I knew that slight change of grip would work, now it’s a personal best score!”. But what happens next? That’s right, you hit your next shot fat and it travels no further than 40 yards! Or you try and reach that green in 2 and thin it into the water! Suddenly the game is not so beautiful, the veins in the neck are more pronounced, the grip on the club is getting tighter, the anger building up!! Yes, this is golf at it’s most humiliating frustrating best. All of us who have played sport regularly have heard people curse themselves after mis-hitting a volley, I have seen people throw themselves to the floor after an open goal miss, I have even witnessed grown men cry when their team lose to that last minute header. But please tell me in what other sport would you see Bank Managers, Lawyers

or Head’s of huge Corporate industries come out with the sort of language that would get you locked up in the streets on a Saturday night in your local town? But we hear it all on the golf course! Even new words you didn’t know existed! I have heard expletive rants that have lasted for 20 to 30 seconds! Do you hear this in squash? cricket? tennis? Well, there was a certain Mr Mcenroe who liked the odd rant, but not even Superbrat himself can come close to the verbals you can hear out on our glorious fairways. But that is what golf can do to you, it can turn decent, well educated, law abiding people into your run of the mill drunken lout! But isn’t this why we love it? Our second angry golfer may not be verbal, but shows his frustrations in other more entertaining ways. Surely we have all seen this player? The one who hit’s a bad shot and then the next thing we hear is the whirring of a golf club as it flies through the air over our head? I certainly have never witnessed a footballer miss an open goal, take his boots off and throw them away, nor a cricketer launch his bat. Maybe you have, but surely not with the alarming rate as we see on the golf course. Then there is the famous over the knee manoeuvre which usually involves the putter, but which has also been done to the odd wedge or maybe 7 iron. I am certain somebody out there has probably tried to do it with the driver, but these new graphite shafts are unbelievable durable! Yes, there is no other sport where you would you pay over £200 for a piece of equipment, to then snap it over your knee without a seconds thought. For anyone who has played our game long enough, we have all seen it done to the poor Odysseys, Rossa’s and even the odd Scotty Cameron!

We then move onto the 3rd type of angry golfer. No swearing, no sudden bouts of destruction, just a calmness that is both terryfying but gut wrenchingly funny at the same time. I have only witnessed it once and could not believe what I was seeing. A gentleman at my home Club was having what can only be described as a ‘shocker’. Five lost balls, and only 3 stableford points to show for 6 holes of golf. Yes, we had the involuntary touret like swearing on the 2nd tee when his divot on the 167 yard par 3 went further than his ball, and the putter became airborne on the 6th green after the third three putt in a row. But what happened on that 7th fairway will live with me forever. After fatting his second ball into the small lake that protects the green, my calm playing partner proceeded to pick up his bag, walk to the side of the lake, turn it upside down and empty the entire contents into the water. He then calmly put the empty bag back over his shoulder, said his goodbyes to the three of his open mouthed playing partners, walked back across the fairways, got into his car and drove slowly away! Similar events happen in golf courses all over the World. The one where players throw their bags into lakes, others driving their electric buggies into them, it goes on. Surely the only sport where we spend thousands in equipment to destroy them at a seconds notice! Again, this is golf at it’s worst, but funny best. So I ask again is football really a funny old game? Yes, I believe it is, but none are quite as funny……………nor soul destroying, as the game we love. As Sir Alex Ferguson once famously said “football eh?.. bloody hell!” surely he meant golf right?

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Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club

Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club has been in its present location since 1925. Since then, the club has played host to numerous professional and amateur events including the Ryder Cup (twice); the Dunlop Open Tournaments in the 1930s through to the1950s; used several times as the final qualifying course for the British Open Championship and also for the British Amateur and Lancashire County Championships. The club has an international and historical reputation and is often referred to by the shortened version of its name, S & A. The course is revered amongst golfers and attracts visitors from all over the world. In the 1990s, one of America’s top golf course designers is quoted in ‘Golf World’ as saying, ”S & A is the best designed course in the UK.” . The course is particularly interesting in that it has retained most of the features from the original layout as designed by James Braid in terms of the natural landscape and the previous uses of the land. Before it became a golf course, the land had been

predominantly sandhills with undulating areas of land in between, which had been used by farmers for grazing cattle and sheep. Prior to 1925, the previous S & A clubhouse, which had been in use since 1908, was located approx, one mile north on Liverpool Road, near The Crown Hotel, Birkdale. It was due to the building of a new road to Southport (Waterloo Road) that the club had to move to its current location in Ainsdale. The road cut right through the old course but twelve of the original holes, which were laid out in 1907 by George Lowe the Lytham professional, survived. Before 1907, the founder members of S & A played on a small 9-hole course near Hillside Station, on land now occupied by houses. The club has the scores of the first-ever Medal competition played on that course, dated August 20th 1906. The founder members of S & A were male and female members of the Grosvenor Whist Club, who used to play cards in a building on Grosvenor Road, Southport.

In 1925, the new clubhouse was opened and members could begin playing their ‘new course.’ James Braid, who was the first golfer to win The Open five times, laid out six new holes, those which are now closest to the clubhouse, and remodelled the other twelve. He was asked to design a course fit to hold championships. Braid was a great believer in retaining the natural terrain and retaining the views. Whenever he designed or remodelled golf courses, he always liked to call one of the holes ‘Braids’ and on S & A, he chose the 3rd hole because from that tee, golfers can enjoy views for over 50 miles. In 1926, Walter Hagen, who was to captain the U.S. Ryder Cup team at S & A in 1933 and 1937 and who won eleven Majors during his career played an exhibition match at S & A for which he was paid £50. One of his opponents was an S & A member and Lancashire Champion, Sam Robinson. The original poster for that event can be seen in the clubhouse. In 1931, the first-ever Dunlop Professional tournament was held at S & A. It was

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won by Henry Cotton. This tournament was held at S & A on several more occasions during the next 25 years. In 1933, S & A hosted the 4th Ryder Cup Match which Great Britain won with the last putt, on the last green in the last match. In one match, Abe Mitchell, personal coach to Samuel Ryder and believed to be the golfing figure on the top of the trophy, recorded the greatest ever comeback in Ryder Cup or Major Matchplay history. He was on the 11th tee, 3 down in his 36-hole singles match against Olin Dutra (USA) . He then won 13 of the next 14 holes and eventually winning by 9 and 8. Four years later, the 6th Ryder Cup match was again held at S & A. This time, the USA beat Great Britain. In the clubhouse, there is a replica of The Ryder Cup and a display of photos and memorabilia from both The Ryder Cup events and of other events held at S & A. The course has changed little since those Ryder Cup matches. 15 out of the 18 holes as laid out by James Braid are basically the

same. Due to housing developments on the east side of the course, three of the original holes have been replaced with new holes. After the Second World War, and through to the present day, S & A have continued to host both professional and top amateur golf events on a regular basis. Among those who played in the 1950s were Open Champions, Henry Cotton, Max Faulkner, Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, plus Peter Alliss, Dai Rees and many other famous golfers. In the 1960s, when The Open Championship started to attract the players from the USA and other countries, S & A members were able to see the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Bob Charles and others. In the 1970s, S & A hosted two Pro-Ams where members of S & A were teamed up with top golfers and famous ‘celebrities’ from the world of entertainment and sport, including Bing Crosby, Sean Connery, Gary Player, Tony Jacklin and Sir Matt Busby In 1979, the British Ladies Championship,

open to amateurs and professionals for the first time and sponsored by Pretty Polly, was held at S & A. During the 1980s and 1990s through to the present day, S & A have hosted several events including final qualifying rounds for The Opens Championship held at Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham. S & A members have enjoyed success at all levels. S & A have won the Lancashire Team Championship a record number of times, including 10 in a row, five of the members have played for England and two of these, namely, Geoff Roberts and David Marsh have won the English Championship. David was also the Walker Cup Captain and Captain of the R & A. Finally, all of the holes on the course have names. The 16th hole which is the signature hole, is also known as Gumbleys. Mr.H.D.Gumbley was a founder member. In 2004, the 16th hole and the 8th hole were included in a list of the top 500 holes in the world by a leading golf magazine.

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“We’ve got our trophy back!” Lancashire Schools Team Matchplay Trophy On Monday 19th April, Culcheth High School became the most successful school in the history of the Lancashire Schools Matchplay Golf Championships, when they successfully defended their title at Grange Park Golf Club, in St Helens. With previous wins in 2005 and 2009, they have now won the trophy more than any other school, and are only the second school in the competitions’ 30 year history to have retained the title. The team of Ross Hunt (a member of Birchwood Golf Club), Sean Blinkhorn and George Scott (both members of Leigh Golf Club) beat Holy Cross College (Bury) and Lancaster Royal Grammar School, to once again be crowned Lancashire Champions. In the semi-final match against Holy Cross, Ross won his match 2 holes up, but Sean was beaten on the last green, to leave the match delicately poised. The responsibility fell to George to secure a place in the final, and he rose

to the challenge with a 2&1 victory (2 holes ahead with only 1 hole to play). The final, against Lancaster Royal Grammar, looked like being an equally tight affair, as they had knocked out a strong team from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in their semi-final. However, as reigning champions we felt that we had a slight edge edge, and the boys justified this confidence as they ran out 3-0 winners. George led the way with a 3&2 victory, which Ross followed up with a 2&1 win to secure the title. Sean then completed an impressive victory by reversing his morning score to win by 1 hole in another tight match. The boys now progress to play in the National Schools Final, at Came Downs Golf Club in Dorset, on the 7th July. I’m sure you will all wish them the best of luck in their hunt for more silverware! Mr Welsford, Head of PE

Lions International are putting on a Golf Weekend to support our wounded. The event takes place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June at Hartford Golf Club, Burrows Hill, Hartford. Open to Male and Female, Professional or Novice, with Pairs or Teams of Four.

Help for Heroes Charity Golf Weekend

Entry is £20 per player per 9 holes, with prizes for the best score on each day and overall winner. There will be free refreshments for players, and bar available. Booking forms are available from Hartford Golf Club Event Secretary. Call 01606 851385.

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New Playgolf Academy Opens near Manchester’s Trafford Centre

May was an unkind month to football fans in the North West, but the region’s golfers can celebrate after the new-look Playgolf Academy was unveiled near Manchester’s Trafford Centre yesterday. The Tour-standard golf coaching facility, which features four state-of-the-art video teaching studios, was formally opened by Sale Sharks and England rugby union international Mark Cueto at the spectacular Playgolf Manchester golf centre, on Monday May 10th 2010.

“When the world’s #4 ranked golfer Lee Westwood opened Playgolf Manchester in December 2000, he said he thought that our facilities were world-class,” said Playgolf’s Head of Operations, Craig Whitfield. “These improvements bring the Playgolf Academy in Manchester up to the very latest Tour specification, and Playgolf’s vision is to upgrade its other facilities in London and Bournemouth to a similar standard. “We promised that Playgolf Manchester would be the ultimate golf centre

the four new-look video teaching bays • The Playgolf Academy has four full-time PGA-qualified coaching professionals, who are all also experts in teaching golf fitness, NLP mind training and golf psychology • The american golf store at Playgolf Manchester is one of the largest golf superstores in the North West • The floodlit 9-hole Championship Miniature Golf course is rated as one of the UK’s finest mini-golf experiences, and features replicas of some of the world’s most famous golf holes

Many Premiership footballers regularly practice and take golf lessons at the Playgolf Academy, including several from Manchester United and Manchester City. Cueto, a regular visitor to Playgolf Manchester, has seen his golf handicap plummet from 18 to 12 since he started taking lessons at the Academy eighteen months ago. In recent months Playgolf has invested over £50,000 in refurbishments and new technology at the Playgolf Academy, giving golfers access to the very latest teaching methods. The Academy now has four video coaching studios, where golfers can book lessons to have PGA professionals film their golf swing from multiple angles, enabling them to compare their golf swing with Tour stars in real-time. Playgolf has also installed a new indoor putting green, plus a floodlit short game and bunker practice area.

when we opened ten years ago, and the new-look Playgolf Academy delivers that promise emphatically.” The golf centre, which is clearly visible from the M60 motorway as it sweeps around past the Trafford Centre, is one of the UK’s largest, and generates some impressive statistics: • The Playgolf Academy gives over 1,000 golf lessons a month • Its PGA pros have taught over 100,000 golf lessons since it opened in 2000 • 3,500 golfers visit Playgolf Manchester each week • Golfers hit 12 million balls each year on the Playgolf Manchester driving range • There are 57 driving range bays, including

“With British golfers such as Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy so prominent on the world stage in 2010,” said Whitfield, “we are expecting our busiest-ever year, as club golfers are inspired to emulate their heroes. The new-look Playgolf Academy has a wide range of offers and options for golfers who want to get their handicap down, so we invite anyone in the region who hasn’t visited us yet to come along, and sample the North West’s premier golf practice facility.” Contact Playgolf: Craig Whitfield, Director of Operations Telephone: 0161 749 7000 craigwhitfield@playgolfworld.com

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James Brearley Lancashire PGA Open

Following the marking of last year’s 10th anniversary of James Brearley’s involvement as main sponsor of the Lancashire PGA Open, which throughout this period has been staged at North Shore Golf Club, it is pleasing to report that the PGA have designated this year’s event as a full Northern Order of Merit event. The tournament will run from Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th August, concluding as in previous year’s with the James Brearley Client Pro-Am event. The decision to promote the event to a full Northern order event, provides PGA members and amateurs from Cheshire and Yorkshire to also compete in the event. PGA Secretary, Graham Maly, is delighted

at this decision and fully expects a record number of entries for this year’s event. He commented “Given the increased year on year on year support for the event, driven by the excellent prize fund and superb condition of the course each year, coupled with the warm reception we receive from North Shore, I would not be surprised if we need to stage one or more pre-qualifying rounds.” David Hannis, Director James Brearley & Sons commented that the company is delighted at the decision taken by the PGA. He stated “This not only helps raise the profile of the event throughout the North of England, but makes it accessible to

areas where we have a high concentration of clients. This is hopefully a further endorsement of how well received the course and facilities at North Shore are viewed by the PGA membership in the area.” John Morris, Secretary of North Shore Golf Club stated “We are delighted to be seen as the home of this high profile tournament and look forward to potentially introducing our club and its facilities to a wider range of PGA members and amateur golfers at this year’s event. It has been very noticeable over the last 10 years how the event has grown in stature and status and is now very much embedded into our club’s golfing calendar.”

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Macdonald Portal Hotel Set to boast Lee Westwood Golf School For more information on the Lee Westwood school call 0844 879 3467 or visit www.leewestwoodgolfschool.com. For further details on Macdonald Hotels’ golf facilities log on to www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

One of Cheshire’s foremost hotel golf resorts has been selected as the fairway of choice by Lee Westwood for his first ever Golf School. Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa, which already boasts two 18-hole golf courses and one 9-hole golf course plus an indoor golf academy, will be host to the two year full time programme for young professionals. Aimed at young golfers aged 16 and over, the Lee Westwood Golf School will follow a unique structured programme, which will develop and enhance the student’s golf, education, lifestyle, psychology and fitness and result in a BTEC National Diploma in Sport.

Lee Westwood comments: “The Golf School is designed to offer young golfers the opportunity to follow their dreams – whether as a PGA playing professional, teaching professional or continuing into higher education.” “As such, the programme offers world class facilities, coaching and training methods, which is why I am so pleased to be working with the Macdonald Portal Hotel. Their facilities are some of the best in the region and have already established them as a world class championship golf venue. I am looking forward to beginning the school and to developing students using the great resources that the hotel is renowned for”.

Mark Lyttleton-Frances, Regional General Manager at Macdonald Hotels adds: “We are delighted that Lee Westwood has chosen Macdonald Portal for his inaugural Golf School. The stunning Cheshire property not only boasts some exceptional golf facilities, but is set in beautiful English countryside alongside an award winning hotel. We all look forward to supporting Lee and wish him, and the school’s students, all the best during their training programme”. The programme is supported and endorsed by the English Golf Union (EGU) and the Golf Foundation and will be headed by Karl Morris, who founded a similar successful programme in Northern Ireland.

News North West Golf Guide

Four of the Wirral’s magnificent coastal golf courses are to host a new 72 hole amateur tournament open to adult male & female golfers. The inaugural Wirral Golf Classic will be held from 13 to 17 September and is aimed at attracting golfers to play & stay in the beautiful peninsular. All entrants will play a round of golf at each of the four participating courses; Caldy, Heswall, Royal Liverpool and Wallasey, with a rest day during the week. Caldy, former venue of the Seniors’ Championship, boasts stunning views from its cliffs across the River Dee to Wales; slightly further down the river, Heswall was the venue for The R&A’s Junior Championships in 2006 and stages the North of England Under-16 Championships each year; Wallasey, home of the Stableford, is an Open Qualifying venue enjoying beautiful views across the Mersey to Liverpool, and Royal Liverpool is much loved by golfers throughout the world; it

has staged the 1st Amateur Championship, 1st Walker Cup, 1st International Golf Match and 11 Open Championships. The Open returns to ‘Hoylake’ as it is more commonly know, in 2014 and the Women’s Open will be staged over the links in 2012. The entrance fee for the Classic is £199 which includes the 4 games of golf and 2 social events, the Welcome Reception at Host Hotel, the 4* Thornton Hall, as well as Prize-giving at Royal Liverpool. With green fees alone almost double this fee the event offers excellent value. Further information can be found on the web site www.wirralgolfclassic. co.uk including promotional offers from accommodation providers in Wirral. The event is supported by Wirral Council, the Northwest Regional Development Fund (ERDF), England’s Golf Coast, National Club Golfer, with Titleist supplying the prizes.

Amateur Golf Tournament 13-17 September 2010 The inaugural Wirral Golf Classic, a 72 hole Stableford competition for amateurs, will be held in 2010 on the four beautiful golf courses on Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Coast - Caldy, Heswall, Wallasey and the magnificent Royal Liverpool Golf Club with views over the Rivers Mersey & Dee. Enjoy a wonderful week of golf with social events and prizes for just ÂŁ199.

Play, eat & stay... Visit www.wirralgolfclassic.co.uk

or ring 0151 625 9994 for further details and to enter

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Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill Stylish surroundings, a lively atmosphere and exquisite food make the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill set in the fabulous grounds of the Doubletree by Hilton Chester the perfect place for any occasion. We offer a wide range of menu’s from 2 course lunches at only £14.50 per head, to speciality menus for those special moments. With Fathers Day fast approaching why not treat the family to our three course menu for just £25.00 per person with options that include Roast Sirloin of Beef or Pork T Bone with buttered apples and cider. If you’re forthcoming plans include a trip to Chester Races this summer, Marco Pierre Whites Steakhouse Bar and Grill is the perfect venue for pre-race or post

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race drinks and dining. In addition to our usual menu we offer a special Champagne Race Day Brunch, only £20.00 for two courses including a lovely glass of bubbly to get the day off to a lively start! This year why not celebrate Christmas with a difference and join us in Marco’s. Intimate and stylish with deep dark furnishings creating a glamorous setting you can enjoy a drink in the Bar or the Lounge area where you can view our Chefs hard at work via the live TV link into the kitchen. Set menus are available from £16.50 for two course lunch and 3 courses, £25.00 for dinner Monday – Thursday throughout December. We are serving Christmas Day Lunch from 12 noon with Champagne and Canapés on arrival £75.00 per person bookings are essential. We are happy to cater for larger numbers between 10-20 guests in our stylish private dining area at no extra charge. For further details on our Menus, special events, private dining and Christmas please call 01244 408830 or visit our website www.mpwsteakhousechester.co.uk

“Stylish surroundings, a lively atmosphere and exquisite food make it the perfect place for any occasion.”

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www.golfino.com / www.golfino-shop.com

GOLFINO Junior given a new twist

GOLFINO Junior continues to follow its role models in the G+ Collections for ladies and men, and will present half a module each for GOLFINO Boys and Girls. The design ideas from the adult collections will be continued, but given a new twist. Some playful new impulses and details add a youthful verve to the Junior Collection. With colours such as powder, lipstick and bubble gum, GOLFINO

fashion for girls is aligning itself to a colour scheme in shades of pink, with contrasts in black and anthracite. Ruffles, frilled collars and golf ball patterns set smart, cheerful accentuations. The GOLFINO Boys Collection simply oozes with colour: a powerful orange, sun yellow and ocean, a shade of turquoise, provide the colour highlights and can be matched perfectly with black and steel

grey. When it comes to quality, GOLFINO Junior makes no compromises. As with the collections for adults, functional materials of the highest quality are used. As these articles have roughly the same production costs, GOLFINO Junior gives excellent value for money. The prices for childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s articles range between two-thirds and threequarters of those for the adult collections.

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Herons’ Reach PGA accredited golf academy Herons’ Reach which is now a PGA accredited golf academy offers a wide range of custom fit options with the use of the flight scope launch monitor. Our current stock for fitting includes Taylormade, Titleist, Ping and Nike and we offer quality informative fitting sessions which enables the golfer to understand their swing performance and how we fit the club to their make up. In addition, the Professional shop has a range of clothing which includes, J Lindeberg, Lyle Scott, Nike, Galvin Green and Glenmuir to name but a few.

There are two teaching Professionals at Herons’ Reach with over 25 years experience in all areas of the game. Biomechanics, psychology, physiology, and swing performance. They have coached complete beginners to European tour players and everything in between. If you fancy brushing up on your skills whether it be a chipping session or an 18 hole playing lesson then look no further than the Herons’ Reach golf academy. Introducing the NEW DVC golf membership, The De Vere Club is a totally different kind

of golf club. Becoming a member really will change the way you play golf forever. Join The De Vere Club and you become a member of 11 spectacular golf clubs with 16 courses instead of just the usual one. When you join, you pick the club you want as your ‘home’ club. And for the Membership fee of just £295 you not only get to play there, but also at any of our other fabulous clubs throughout the UK Call 01253 832577 or Visit http://www. devere.co.uk/golf/membership/devere-club.html for more details.

PRYORS HAYES TEACHING ACADEMY Come and visit one of Cheshires finest state of the art teaching facilities set in the heart of the tranquil Chester countryside HEAD PROFESSIONAL FREDDY VALENTI PGA PROFESSIONAL RICK COLLINGE

STATE OF THE ART COVERED TEACHING BAY HITTING OUT TO A FLOODLIT RANGE HI TECH VIDEO SWING ANALYSIS EQUIPMENT TOP QUALITY GRASS SHORT GAME FACILITY CUSTOM FITTING WORKSHOP WITH LOFT AND LIE MACHINE TOMI PUTTING LAB WITH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PUTTING GREEN GRASS PRACTICE FACILITIES AS WELL AS INDOOR MATS MOST COMPETETIVE LESSON PRICES IN THE AREA LESSONS AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK 18 HOLE GOLF COURSE FOR PLAYING LESSONS 15 YEARS COACHING EXPERIENCE

“I have played all over the world and coached at several facilities and now feel at Pryors Hayes we can offer everything you could want for coaching or custom fitting your clubs”

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK A LESSON CALL FREDDY ON 07971928939 Or visit www.valentigolf.com

Willington Road, Oscroft, Tarvin, Chester, CH38NL

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Delamere Forest Golf Club Celebrates It’s Centenary

One of Cheshire’s hidden Gem’s celebrates it’s Centenary in 2010. Here is a brief history of this heathland classic. The club was founded in 1910, reputedly in a hunting field, and the early list of members reads like an extract from the Cheshire Hunt register. It was the venue for the first Cheshire County Championship in 1921, an event which has been held at the Club on another eight occasions most recently in 2004 and to be held again in 2010. In 1967 Delamere Forest was one of the two qualifying courses for the Open Championship when it was held at Hoylake, the home of the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. At that time, Maurice Bembridge posted the Professional Course Record of 63 which exists to this day. Despite the word ‘Forest’ in its title, Delamere is a natural heath-land course. Certainly, trees are part of the strategy on several holes, but, in general, Delamere Forest provides a glorious backdrop to the panoramic views from the higher parts of the course.

The course was designed by W H Fowler (who also designed the Old Course at Walton Heath) who made the most of the vigorously undulating land that nature provided. Fowler had no qualms about asking the golfer to undertake a number of blind drives, carrying some considerable distances and enjoying the healthy exercise of hill climbing. Overall, there is much variety in hole lengths and every kind of shot will be called for, but the opening five holes really stretch the average player. There are many holes with character, for example the fifth, with a long uphill carry to the green with a pond to the left and below the green and the need to hold the shot up to that side. The sixth is a short hole from an elevated tee to a small green set at an angle to the tee with enticing views over the pond below the green to the left, with woods and fields in all directions. The eighth requires a long straight tee shot to find a narrow fairway to give a long iron

shot to a steeply sloping green. This hole was reached from the medal tee in the 1970’s by one of our past members, Mr George Johnson. This feat is now possible quite regularly with new equipment as is driving the 13th, 15th and 9th with holes like the 17th and 10th nearly reachable. The 15th hole above is a dog-leg left with a blind drive over a hill and an out of bounds in the Forest on the left. The raised plateau green is situated in a delightful dell with a bell to be rung to tell those behind that the coast is clear. Both the ninth and the eighteenth holes dog leg around a central wood and call for tee shots over the corner of the wood which is out of bounds before returning to the Clubhouse. Since the greens are not watered unless it is absolutely necessary, the course presents a tactical challenge in the summer which requires the tee shots to be positioned to give the correct angle of approach to the greens if good scores are to be achieved.

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Sandiway Golf Club Awarded GolfMark accreditation

Sandiway Golf Club has been awarded GolfMark accreditation demonstrating their hard work and dedication to both junior and beginner’s golf. The English Golf Union (EGU) and English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) developed the GolfMark award to identify and acknowledge golf facilities in England that were junior and beginner friendly. The GolfMark award also integrates Sport England’s Clubmark award – a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country. More than 30 other sports, including tennis and rugby are also using the alliance to add value to their accreditation schemes and over 10,000 sports clubs have been awarded Clubmark or are working towards achieving accreditation. There are a number of benefits that golf clubs can gain by achieving GolfMark accreditation, including increased membership, raising the club’s profile,

further development of coaches and volunteers and greater access to funding. GolfMark evaluates golf clubs on the following three areas within their junior section: • Coaching & Playing • Club Environment, including sports equity and ethics • Child Protection & Duty of Care EGU and EWGA Development Officers continually conduct assessment meetings, offering advice and guidance to golf clubs on how to further enhance their junior sections and beginners initiatives as well as develop best practices. Proudly pictured with the GolfMark Certificate are from Left to Right Graham Sayers (Chairman), Bill Laird (Club Professional), Chris Mitchell (Junior Organiser), Richard Taylor (Club Captain) and Keith Melia (Manager).

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Shrigley Hall Golf Club Golf Memberships available

Set in 262 acres of glorious Cheshire countryside, Barceló Shrigley Hall offers a true Championship course, and a real test of skill and stamina, whatever your handicap. For most players, a day or short break at Barceló Shrigley Hall is enough to whet the appetite for more. So we make it easy to enjoy its golfing challenges – and spectacular views – on a regular basis

with a range of membership options. As a full member, you’ll also enjoy privileged access to the hotel and Health & Leisure Club facilities, and preferential rates for tuition with our PGA pros. As an individual you can choose from: • Seven-day Membership • Five-day Membership • Student Membership (must

be in Full-Time education) • Junior Membership (under 18) We also offer a choice of three corporate memberships: Gold, Silver and Bronze. For more details, please contact us directly on 01625 575626 or email at shrigleyhall. golfretail@barcelo-hotels.co.uk

Wirral Ladies’ Membership Now Available

Wirral Ladies’ Golf Club have opened their annual Membership, and special offers are available for men, ladies and juniors. The joining fee has been reduced from £800 to £525 for Men, and can be split over 3 years! The joining fee for Ladies is free of charge, making this the best time to join this historic course.

corporate afternoon. It is the closest course to Liverpool City Centre, making it easily accessible to the City working professional.

The course itself can be played in 3 hours or so making it ideal for a half day outing or

This historic venue formed originally for wives and families of Royal Liverpool,

This undulating heathland course is abound with heather, gorse and natural woodland - a good contrast to the better known links courses of the area.

and is an ideal choice of venue for any Lady Captain’s day out. The clubhouse has a good reputation for its home made cakes, afternoon teas and daily specials. For more information on membership, or bookings please call Peter Greville on 0151 652 1255 or email wirral. ladies@btconnect.com.

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Region turns on the gas at Wychwood Park

PGA North Region professionals travel to their farthest southern outpost next month for the inaugural Phoenix Gas Classic at De Vere Wychwood Park. It’s the first tournament of the season carrying full Order of Merit points and with a £10,000 prize-fund at stake it has attracted a big field headed by all the leading players. The course, situated near Nantwich on the Cheshire Plains, has already hosted two successful Euro Pro Tour events and at 7,191 yards off the championship tees it is expected to provide a tough challenge. Regional secretary Graham Maly said: “It’s an exciting new tournament in the North Region calendar and my thanks go to Phoenix Gas for their support. We’re very impressed with the course and infrastructure at De Vere Wychwood Park which also includes superb practice facilities. “The PGA North Region have only visited once before when we held

our fourball championship there and are very much looking forward to the i Phoenix Gas Classic this year.” The 36-hole event, sponsored by the Midlands-based energy company and initiated by club professional John Farmer, is on July 7-8 and there will be a post tournament pro-am featuring 30 teams. It’s the first sponsorship venture by Phil Grocott, managing director of Phoenix Gas, who is also a member at Wychwood Park. His firm, which also incorporates a serving section to the central heating side of the business, regards the pro-am as an ideal vehicle for entertaining his clients in the North Staffordshire and Cheshire region. “I’m a keen golfer and it’s good to support the PGA in our area,” said the 46-year-old seven handicapper. “We’re all looking forward to it. In addition to our own teams we’ve also had entries from some of our suppliers.”

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Titleist 909DCOMP Performance you can believe in

With a full pear profile, and 460cc titanium and composite construction, the Titleist 909DComp is a high performance driver delivering HIGH LAUNCH WITH LOW TO MID SPIN. The 909DComp features a tour proven, modern profile with a composite crown that creates a low and deep CG for reduced spin, higher launch and MOI, and longer, straighter drives.

The composite crown and tuned sole of the 909DComp, which includes optimized pockets and an internal rib for reduced vibration, deliver a tour validated sound and feel. An integrated titanium blind bore hosel design saves weight, provides solid feel, and allows for more shaft options. The factory installed SureFit Swingweight Screw helps to position the CG deep while also providing a precise head to shaft match. Construction 6-4 titanium body, 6-4 titanium face insert Stock Shafts Titleist Diamana Blue 65 Titleist Aldila VooDoo Stock Grip Titleist Tour Velvet Rubber (round w/ logo underneath) Custom Capabilities Shafts & Grips Length: +2â&#x20AC;? / -2â&#x20AC;? * Loft: None Lie: None * Varies by shaft model.

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Scotty Cameron California Working together like cool jazz and fine wine.

The classics are reborn with a modern twist. Artistic design meets hightech engineering. What’s feel-good familiar is entirely brand new. Scotty Cameron’s latest putter line - California - embodies all of the unique attributes that make his fine milled putters instruments of putting art - high-quality, precision-milled stainless steel; refined, masterful design aesthetics; Tour-proven, customizable

specifications; smart, interchangeable weighting; and classic accessories to match. Simply entitled California, the new putter line includes the milled-from-the-block Coronado pintail, compact Sonoma wide-body, elegant Monterey blade and refined Del Mar mid-mallet. Named after some of Scotty’s favorite California towns, each high-toe model merges the best of classic, old world putter design with

modern, performance-based technology. Interchangeable sole weights give players the ability to match a putter’s headweight to a preferred length, while the misted honey dipped finish complemented with translucent merlot and French vanilla paintfill will remind players of a golden California evening as the sun dips into the Pacific. It’s modern and classic working together like cool jazz and fine wine.

Cheshire INTRODUCTION

Cheshire Cheshire is a diverse county, marked by its canal networks and its industrial history - notably silk in Macclesfield and of course the salt in Northwich.

Perhaps the jewel in Cheshire’s crown, however, is the city of Chester. Nicknamed ‘Capital of Style’. Chester was originally settled by the Romans in the First century AD and is surrounded by Roman Walls (all walkable) and features a vast Roman Amphitheatre in the centre. Chester’s history is long and rich. The fact that the River Dee runs through Chester gives it extra character. Many festivals are held in Chester throughout the year including folk & fringe festivals, literature and racing at the ancient Chester Races. But don’t miss out some of the other market towns like Macclesfield, Congleton and Knutsford, which all have their own unique charm.

Contemporary Cheshire has much to offer the visitor, with designer shopping outlets at Cheshire Oaks, to Chester Zoo, to the famous Jodrell Bank 76m Lovell radio telescope and Science Centre to the awe inspiring Blue Planet Aquarium. Rural Cheshire is today a pleasant and sought after location to live but it offers more than that to the millions of visitors who come every year to appreciate one of the most diverse counties in the United Kingdom where it is h ome to more millionaires than anywhere else in the country. From a golfing perspective, with over 100 courses to choose from, you are spoilt for choice in Cheshire.

Cheshire INTRODUCTION

M-6 M-62

Warrington 20 M-53

M-56

Lymm 11

Runcorn 17

02 10

Frodsham Ellesmere Port

M-56

Chester

22 06

Knutsford 19 Macclesfield

Northwich 21 Winsford

16 15

Congleton

Tarpley

Sandbach

Crewe Nantwich

23 08

Malpas M-6 Whitchurch

01. Aldersey Green 02. Antrobus 03. Carden Park 04. Delamere Forest 05. Dunham Forest 06. Eaton Golf Club 07. Frodsham 08. Gorstyhill 09. Hartford 10. Heyrose 11. High Legh 12. Mere

09 18

Wimslow

13. Mottram Hall 14. Peover 15. Portal 16. Pryors Hayes 17. Runcorn 18. Sandiway 19. Barcel贸 Shrigley Hall 20. The Warrington 21. Vale Royal 22. Vicars Cross 23. Wychwood Park

46 Aldersey Green Golf Club Aldersey Nr Chester CH3 9EH Telephone: 01829 782157 bradburygolf@aol.com www.alderseygreengolfclub.co.uk 01. How to Find From Warrington & Manchester Take the M56 west and follow the signs for Chester. At Junction 15 (Ellesmere Port), join the M53 South to Chester (left hand lane). At Junction 12 (Hoole), the M53 becomes the A483. Take the next exit sign posted for A41 & A51 (Christleton & Huntington), and take the third exit on the roundabout (right) and follow the signs to the A41. After approximately six miles, Aldersey Green Golf Course is sign posted on the right hand side.

Aldersey Green

18 holes, Par 71 • 6145 • 5983 • 5541

GOLF CLUB

Set in 200 acres of Cheshire countryside, Aldersey Green Golf Club has a golf course that is envied by many but rivalled by few in terms of sheer enjoyment to play.

Facilities: Pro Shop, Putting Green, Trolley Hire, Changing Rooms, Club Repair & Custom fitting, Bar & Restaurant

Many of the fairways are tree-lined and narrow making accuracy from the tee absolutely pivotal to scoring well. The course is also home to 14 lakes so be warned that any stray shots can, and on many occasions will be punished. Packing a few extra balls in your bag might be a good idea! The course is superbly laid out and offers some fine panoramic views. Why not enjoy them after your round by relaxing in the fine clubhouse, the perfect place for some post-match unwinding.

Twilight Special Offer Any Day After 3 pm Weekends Included

Only £10 per player Tel: 01829 782157

Signature Holes 3rd. Recently voted 2nd hardest par 3 in the country by top golf magazine. The Green has a lake at the back a bunker guards the right front corner, water to the left side, and two lateral water hazards run up both sides of the hole. A challenge for any golfer. The 15th Hole is a beautiful par 4 slight dog leg right, and features an original bomb crater. The raised green is protected by a stream / pond at the front and a steep wall of sleepers.

47 Antrobus Golf Club Foggs Lane Antrobus Cheshire, CW9 6JQ Telephone: 01925 730 900 admin@antrobusgc.com www.antrobusgolfclub.co.uk 02. How to Find Easily accessible from Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Birmingham and of course Northwich and Warrington. The club is located only 2 miles from Junction 10 of the M56, and near to the M6 motorway. Follow A559 towards Northwich. Turn left 500 yds after the ‘Birch and Bottle’ Pub. 100 yds on take first immediate left (Foggs Lane), the club is signposted.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6220

Facilities: Driving range, Putting green, Golf Lessons, Buggies, Clubhouse, Restaurant Course Guide There is little doubt ... Antrobus is a challenge! Set in the heart of the beautiful Cheshire countryside, the course has been cleverly designed and built around existing natural features, and both the plentiful water hazards and wooded areas ensure your round is never dull. Off the back tees even the better golfers will feel the pressure, with narrow fairways and well protected greens. Antrobus certainly requires more in your bag than a big driver.

Antrobus GOLF CLUB

As you enjoy this course, imagine the landscape as it was in 1992 before the course was built – 100 acres of open farmland with just a few mature trees along its boundries for shelter. Now after the addition of 1000’s more trees plus lakes and other water hazards the result is a versatile and challenging Par 71 Course of 6220 Yards from the back tees, which enjoys maturity beyond its years. The fact that it is one of the new gems of the Cheshire Countryside, the course appeals to many players from around the country. Located in the heart of the Cheshire Countryside between Northwich and Warrington with easy access from the M56 at junction 10, this superbly laid out 18 hole course is suited for its now 500 members, visiting golf societies and corporate golf day’s, having excellent clubhouse facilities complementing this most relaxing and enjoyable golfers paradise.

48 Carden Park Hotel Golf Resort & Spa Nr Chester Cheshire CH3 9DQ Telephone: 01829 731 000 reservations.carden@devere-hotels.com www.cardenpark.co.uk 03. How to Find Carden Park is easy to find from the M6. From the South, join the M54 at Junction 10A, then onto the A41 towards Chester. From the North, leave the M6 at Junction 20A and follow the M56 and M53 to the A41 for Whitchurch. At Broxton turn towards Wrexham on the A534 - the hotel is 1.5 miles along on the left. Sat Nav Coordinates: Lat: 53.074. Long: -2.8076 or enter the village name “Broxton”.

Carden Park

18 holes, Par 72 • 6824 • 6653 • 6348 • 5646

CHESHIRE COURSE

Set in 1000 acres of stunning Cheshire Countryside, Carden Park is the ideal location to enjoy a round of golf. The two Championship Courses offer two very different but equally challenging experiences. The Cheshire Course is reminiscent of the finest British parkland courses; set to the rear of the Carden Park Estate it offers stunning panoramic views across the Cheshire countryside to the mountains of Wales. A wealth of natural hazards makes this a highly technical course and will test your skills throughout. Building to a dramatic and scenic finish, with tough 16th and 17th holes followed by the 18th tee atop sandstone cliffs overlooking the resort and Welsh hills. It certainly ensures a round of golf to remember. An average fourball can expect to complete the Cheshire Course in 4 hours.

Facilities: Jacks Bar serving a variety of snacks and hearty meals; Golf Shop, Saunas in the golf changing rooms, Clubs & trolley hire; Secure bag storage, Halfway houses on both courses, 13 bay covered driving range, Fleet of 60 GPS buggies, Golf lessons, Ropes course, Outdoor activities, 196 bedrooms, Choice of Restaurants including Private dining, 13 spa treatment rooms, Free Car Parking

Signature Hole The testing 351 yard par 4, 18th may only have a stroke index of 14 but don’t let this fool you. The elevated tee will take your breath away with the spectacular scenery across the Welsh Hills. Driver could get you in trouble. The perfect tee shot would be a 3 wood or long iron to land short left which in return would leave an approach shot into a generous green. Remember everyone is watching your final hole from our stunning clubhouse balcony, no pressure!

Summer Sizzler at only £30.00 per person Play any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday 18 holes of golf on either The Cheshire or The Nicklaus course Soup & Sandwiches

To book please call 01829 731000 and quote GNWO5

T&C’s -Valid until 31st August 2010, offer can not be used in conjunction with any other offer, and is subject to availability

49 Carden Park Hotel Golf Resort & Spa Nr Chester Cheshire CH3 9DQ Telephone: 01829 731 000 reservations.carden@devere-hotels.com www.cardenpark.co.uk 03. How to Find Carden Park is easy to find from the M6. From the South, join the M54 at Junction 10A, then onto the A41 towards Chester. From the North, leave the M6 at Junction 20A and follow the M56 and M53 to the A41 for Whitchurch. At Broxton turn towards Wrexham on the A534 - the hotel is 1.5 miles along on the left. Sat Nav Coordinates: Lat: 53.074. Long: -2.8076 or enter the village name “Broxton”.

18 holes, Par 72 • 7045 • 6628 • 6302 • 5906 • 5211

Signature Hole When major championships are played on the Nicklaus course the 17th hole provides the back drop for a fantastic grand stand finish. The back tee demands a great drive, you need to stay high to the right hand side of the fairway which would reward you with an approach shot over the lake to the elongated green. Be careful not to be short or this could cost you dearly. If you’re brave enough the other option is to Tee for the green.

Carden Park NICKLAUS COURSE

The Nicklaus Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son Steve, it is a rewarding challenge, with several ‘double option’ holes such as the 7th and 15th which offer a choice of dual option fairways from which to approach the green. The Nicklaus course offers a scenic yet strategic test of golf where position more then length is crucial. As Jack said it certainly is “a thinking man’s golf course”. The half way house on the Nicklaus is passed twice so you will never be short of a snack or drink. An average fourball can expect to complete the Nicklaus Course in around 4 hours. The testing 378 yard par 4 dog-leg on the 17th demands the utmost accuracy. This hole was chosen as the Nicklaus Signature hole for the challenge and the views it provides from the drive through the estate and from the hotel.

50 Delamere Forest Golf Club Ltd Station Road, Delamere, CW8 2JE Telephone: 01606 883800 sec@delameregolf.co.uk www.delameregolf.co.uk 04. How to Find From M6 Junction 19 take the A556 and head in the direction of Chester and after approximately 15 miles look for Harrington’s Caravans. Take the next right turn at the Abbey Arms Public House. DFGC is about a mile on the right hand side of the road (opposite the entrance to Delamere Forest and the Station).

Delamere Forest GOLF CLUB

Delamere Forest was founded in 1910, reputedly in a hunting field and the early list of members reads like an extract from the Cheshire Hunt register. It was the venue for the first Cheshire County Championship in 1912, an event that has been held at the club on a further seven occasions, most recently in 2004. In 1967, Delamere forest was one of the two qualifying courses for the Open Championship when it was held at Hoylake. At that time Maurice Bembridge posted the professional course record of 63, which stands to this day. Despite the word ‘forest’ in its title, Delamere is a natural heath land course. Certainly trees are part of the strategy on several holes, but in general Delamere Forest provides a glorious backdrop to the panoramic views from the higher parts of the course. The course was designed by W H Fowler.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6817 • 6330 • 5680

Facilities: Driving range, Putting green, Golf Lessons, Buggies, Clubhouse, Restaurant Signature Holes The 6th is a short hole from an elevated tee to a small, well bunkered, green set at an angle to the tee with enticing views over the pond below the green, with woods and fields in all directions. The 8th requires a long straight tee shot over a hollow and a second shot in to a steeply sloping green. It was reached from the medal tee in the 1970s by one of our past members, Mr George Johnson, a feat repeated on the 19th April 2003 by Mr David Blockley.

Delamere Forest Golf Club Ltd. Station Road, Delamere, CW8 2JE · Telephone: 01606 883800 · sec@delameregolf.co.uk · www.delameregolf.co.uk

51 Dunham Forest Golf & Country Club Oldfield Lane, Altrincham Cheshire WA14 4TY Club: 0161 928 2605 Pro: 0161 928 2727 enquiries@dunhamforest.com www.dunhamforest.com 05. How to Find From the M56 signposted Altrincham, take exit 7 ignoring the signs for Dunham Massey. Continue along the A556 until you see the signs for Dunham Forest Golf & Country Club, on your left hand side. From the M6, take junction 19 towards Altrincham. Continue along the A556 until you see the signs for Dunham Forest Golf & Country Club, on your left hand side.

18 holes, Par 72 • 6630 • 6322 • 5769

Signature Holes 4th: A perfect tee shot presents you with a superb view looking toward the green and the clubhouse. Stray off line with your approach and strategically placed bunkers left and right are waiting. 14th: This par 5 is often thought of as the signature hole. A long draw can run down the hill making the hole in range. The beautiful setting of the two tiered green may not be appreciated after a wayward shot, where deep bunkers and dense undergrowth await.

Facilities: Driving range, Practice ground, Practice and Putting green, Golf lessons, Buggies and Trolleys for hire, Clubhouse with restaurant

Golf & Country Club

This stunning 18 hole championship parkland golf course was designed by John Bealey and modified by ex-Ryder Cup player and top international golf course designer Dave Thomas. He designed it to follow the picturesque contours of the natural landscape you would expect in Cheshire. Dunham Forest will excite, tantalize, frustrate, intrigue and, if given due consideration and treated patiently, reward golfers of all levels and capabilities. It is set amongst some truly stunning wooded parkland with tree-lined fairways that demand accuracy from the tee. The approaches to the greens are no easier, as they are well-guarded overall, and will test your approach shots. Sprawling for 6630 yards, the par of 72 is a good indication of the challenges to be found on this course.

Great Savings Green Fee plus Dunham’s Famous Fish & Chips with dessert Tee Off 08.30 – 09.30 or 13.10 – 14.00 Only £49.95 (Mon-Fri)

JUNE & AUGUST offers

Dunham Forest

Winter Package £34.95 including green fee and either Breakfast or Lunch Weekend Golf 15% discount when quoting GG10

52 Eaton Golf Club Guy Lane, Waverton, Chester Cheshire CH3 7PH Tel : 01244 335885 Fax: 01244 335782 info@eatongolfclub.co.uk www.eatongolfclub.co.uk 06. How to Find Golf course is three miles south east of Chester off A41, from Chester, take the A51/ The Bars, turn right at A51/ Challinor Street, turn left at A5115/Christleton Road. At roundabout take 2nd exit onto A41/Whitchurch Road, turn left at Eggbridge Lane, continue onto Guy Lane, course on the right. Easy access from M56 & M53.

Eaton GOLF CLUB

Designed by Donald Steele, the celebrated golf architect, as an enjoyable challenge for players of all abilities. Located some four miles from the historic city of Chester and with views of Cheshire and North Wales, Eaton Golf Club offers a wide range of high quality facilities for members and the many visitors who take part in open tournaments, society events and charity days. At Eaton we are very proud of our golf course which is often praised for its immaculate presentation and the challenge of its contoured greens built to USGA standards, which are fast, firm, and true. Beautifully situated beside the Shropshire Union Canal, it features a wealth of mature oaks, a picturesque brook and several ponds and copses, all of which add to the golfing challenge and provide rich habitats for wildlife in abundance.

18 holes, Par 72 (Mens) 73 (Ladies) • 6580 • 6414 • 5642

Facilities: Driving Range, Putting Green, Golf Lessons, Buggies, Clubhouse, Restaurant Signature Hole 12th. This hole is a gem. Played properly it is relatively easy, make the slightest mistake and you may wreck your card. Longer hitters may take a fairway wood or even a long iron for the tee shot. Hit it as close to the right hand bunker as you dare, to leave a simple pitch across a large ditch to the steeply sloping green facing you. The green is protected on each side by mature Oaks, so drive on the left and you will face a tough decision - take on the trees, or lay up?

53 Frodsham Golf Club Simons Lane Frodsham Cheshire WA6 6HE Telephone: 01928 732159 paulw@frodshamgolf.co.uk www.frodshamgolf.co.uk 07. How to Find Exit M56 at junction 12, A557 for Frodsham/Widnes. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto A557 to Frodshm/A56. Turn right at Sutton Causeway, continue to follow A56. Turn left at B5152/Church Street. Turn right at Manley Road, Turn right at Simons Lane.

18 holes, Par 70 • 6328 • 6068 • 5316

Pro Shop Graham Tonge has been the PGA Professional at Frodsham GC since the club opened in 1990. Over the past 18 years he has carved a unique niche in the world of golf. He has managed to mix the skill of golf professional and clubmaker giving him the kind of insider information required to produce his own competitive custom golf club company. Graham and his team aslo offer a specialist club repair and alteration service.

Facilities: Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar, Putting Green, Practice Ground, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Club Fitting, Pro shop

Frodsham GOLF CLUB

Amidst 130 delicious acres of Green Cheshire countryside, Frodsham Golf Club plays host to a magnificent 18-hole par-70 course, offering a great challenge to golfers of all ages and levels of ability. Greens and tees are constructed to USGA specifications and benefit from free-draining soil structure on a sandstone base, with excellent manicured, dry conditions all year round. The course well deserves its widespread reputation for quick, undulating greens, where strategy, driving and putting skills are constantly put to the test – and this, combined with the panoramic vistas over the Mersey estuary and spectacular distant views of Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, makes Frodsham Golf Club one of the most sought-after and popular golf clubs in the whole of the area.

Frodsham Golf Club · Simons Lane · Frodsham · Cheshire · WA6 6HE · Telephone: 01928 732159 · paulw@frodshamgolf.co.uk · www.frodshamgolf.co.uk

54 Gorstyhill Golf Club Abbey Park Way, Wychwood Village, Weston, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 5SQ Telephone: 01270 829166 info@gorstyhillgolf.co.uk www.gorstyhillgolf.co.uk 08. How to Find Wychwood Village off the A531 between Weston and Betley Opposite Wychwood Park. From Jn 16 M6 take A500 towards Crewe, Nantwich and Keele. At the first Roundabout take First Exit left on the A531 towards Keele. At the second Roundabout take First Exit left onto A531. After 300m take the First Exit left at the roundabout onto the new development. The clubhouse is the first building on the left.

Gorstyhill

18 holes, Par 72 • 6456 • 6120 • 5859 • 5414

GOLF CLUB

Founded in 2005 by entrepreneur and golf enthusiast David Holmes, Gorstyhill Golf Club is located in undulating Cheshire countryside near Crewe. At just over 6,400 yards from the main competition tees it is intended to test a golfer’s course management ability. Gorstyhill, designed by one of England’s premier designers, Hawtree Ltd, is a parkland course but the shaping of the long rough and beautifully contoured USGA greens coupled with a northerly breeze can produce a links feel.

Requirements: Soft spikes only Facilities: Practise Area, Putting Green, Buggies, Trolleys and Electric Trolleys, Clubhouse with Bar and Catering overlooking the 9th green, Pro-Shop, Lessons, Club Repairs

There are natural conservation areas and water hazards to negotiate, with strategically positioned bunkers to ensure that you think about your shot. Although a young course, Gorstyhill is maturing quickly and has gained an excellent reputation for both the USGA greens and winter golf. The course has also established itself on the Cheshire Union map, having already hosted a county event and team matches.

Signature Holes There are many memorable holes at Gorstyhill including the 6th, with an intimidating tee shot over the lake. Two stunning par 3’s, the 13th and 17th, need accurate tee shots over lovely valleys to greens that are well protected by bunkers. The 15th and 16th can easily spoil your card as they are partly unsighted. On the 15th a change in elevation for the 2nd shot makes this hole a tricky one. Only a drive to the end of the fairway will get a view of the green.

2 Players + 1 buggy Quote “Northwest”

for £48 deal! MONDAY - FRIDAY

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Abbey Park Way, Weston, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 5SQ · Email: info@gorstyhillgolf.co.uk · Web: www.gorstyhillgolf.co.uk

55 Hartford Golf Club Burrows Hill Hartford, Northwich Cheshire CW8 3AP Telephone: 01606 871162 info@hartfordgolf.co.uk www.hartfordgolf.co.uk 09. How to Find Easily accessible from Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Birmingham and of course Northwich and Warrington. M56 take Jnc 10 A49 Whitchurch, for approx 4 miles, turn right on to A533 for 5 miles over Winnington Bridge, turn left at Golf Club sign by garden center. Approx one mile on the left.

9 holes, Par 35 • 2770 • 2602 • 2309

Facilities: Driving Range, Clubhouse, Putting Green, bar, catering, function rooms Signature Holes Many people ask what the signature hole is at Hartford – the answer is all nine, but perhaps the favourite for many is the 187 yard 7th hole. It has been written about the 7th as “this hole would not look out of place on any championship golf course”. It has also been likened to Augusta’s sixth hole, there is a 50 metre elevation drop from tee to green through woodland down to a green guarded by bunkers and water left and right; it is a pleasure to play this hole.

Hartford GOLF CLUB

Hartford Golf Club offers an inviting layout for all levels of golfers. You will find plush flat tee boxes and smooth quick greens. Tight lush fairways lined with ponds and trees challenge the low handicapper but at the same time play fairly for the high handicapper. Hartford is a golf course where you are treated like an old friend, it is a golf course where we have not forgotten that golf is a game that should be played for fun and enjoyment. Hartford also boasts a 26 bay floodlit Driving Range, a teaching facility, a large Pro-Shop staffed by PGA Professionals offering a wide variety of top golf apparel and equipment. The amenities along with the full service clubhouse add up to a first class experience at Hartford for golfers of all levels of play.

Hartford Golf Club Start of season membership offers Full 7 Day £560 · Full 5 Day £400

Pay & Play 7 Day £150 · Pay & Play 5 Day £100 Junior from £25 · No Joining Fee!

Get fitted properly with our PGA Professionals

56 Heyrose Golf Club Budworth Road, Tabley, Knutsford Cheshire, WA16 0HZ Office: 01565 733664 Pro Shop: 01565 734267 info@heyrosegolfclub.com www.heyrosegolfclub.com 10. How to Find Heyrose Golf Club is signposted from M6 Junction 19, head for Northwich/Chester and turn right directly after the Windmill pub. Then just follow the brown tourist signs to the course. We are just 19 miles from Manchester and 22 miles from Chester.

Heyrose GOLF CLUB

Heyrose Golf Club, Cheshire’s best kept secret. Set in beautiful parkland with ancient woodlands and many water features Heyrose is not an ordinary golf club. Established over 19 years ago the course is continually modified making it one of the most respected and professionally managed golf courses in the North West. It has been adapted over recent years so it challenges the experienced and rewards the beginner. Set in tranquil parkland and full of wildlife this course cannot be beaten on quality. Unlike others it is playable in all but adverse conditions, with ancient woodland and water features this is a course to join and enjoy, don’t settle for the ordinary, experience Heyrose.

18 holes, Par 73 • 6499 • 6308 • 5513

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Undercover driving range, Practice Bunker, Putting Green, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop

Signature Holes 13th. A great hole. This dogleg right par 5 requires you to drive the ball between 2 sets of bushes that are encroaching the fairway on either side. If you manage to drive past them you have the big decision of laying up or going for it in 2. 16th. Signature hole and probably one of the hardest par 3’s you will find. It is very long and very tight. From an elevated tee, you have a stream with out of bounds all down the left, and a ditch with red stakes all down the right.

PHIL (the shankbuster) BILLS PGA . Guaranteed to cure shank or money back. Popular respected teaching pro in cheshire. 25 years experience. Friendly relaxing no pressure atmosphere. All abilities catered for Beginners, Low handicap, Pros. 12 bay covered driving range, chipping, pitching area, putting.

Heyrose Golf Academy. Tel: 01565 734 267

Members £18 per 1/2 hour , or £90 for 6 lessons Non Members £20 per 1/2 hour , or £100 for 6 lessons .

57 High Legh Park Country Club Mere & High Legh Warrington Road, Knutsford Cheshire WA16 0WAP Telephone: 01565 830 888 info@highleghpark.com www.highleghpark.com 11. How to Find From the North Leave M56 at junction 7, onto A556 Chester Road. At roundabout take 2nd exit onto A56/Lymm Road, turn left at B5159/High Legh Road, turn left onto A50/Warrington Road. Course is on your left after ½ mile. From the South Exit M6 at junction 19, at the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto A556/Chester Road. Slight left at A50 towards Lymm/Warrington, course is 2 miles on your right.

Signature Holes 3rd. “The Belfry” is a challenging par 4 with water hazards comprising of two ponds between the tee and the green. The green can be approached either over the ponds for the big hitters or using the dog leg fairway. 16th. “Marl Pit’s”. A long par 4 with a difficult right turn half way down the fairway. The biggest of hitters may be able to cut the corner and clear the lake making the second shot around 160 yards to the green.

Facilities: 2 Practice Putting Greens, Approach Play Green with 40yd fairway, Short game green with bunkers, Mark James Academy 300yds x 200yds practice ground, Members practice area Irons only 200yds x 200yds, Complementary ball facility for members, Buggies, trolleys, pro shop, Restaurant, Conference rooms

Summer Golf Day Packages Until 31st October 2010

To book call Sam Barnes on 01565 830 012

High Legh Park Golf & Country Club

Opened in 1998, High Legh Park Golf Course was codesigned by Mark James and Steve Marnoch, International Golf Course architect. It now offers 20 holes of outstanding golf together with superb practice facilities including 3 putting greens and a 300 yard driving range. Together with a large modern clubhouse, a top class restaurant, bar and fully stocked pro shop, High Legh is the friendly golf venue you will want to return to time and again. The greens have been constructed to the highest standard using USGA Green Specifications. The layered construction of each green ensures optimum drainage and minimises damage to the greens. This helps High Legh to keep the course open all year round without the need for temporary greens. The greenkeeping staff take great pride in ensuring that the greens are kept up to their high standards all year round.

18 Holes (minimum 12 golfers) Bacon Rolls & Coffee 18 Holes of Golf Weekday: £30 per golfer Sunday: £35 per golfer

18 Holes (minimum 12 golfers) Bacon Roll & Coffee on arrival 18 Holes of Golf 2 Course Dinner* (Choice of Menus) (Sunday - 2 Course Carvery Dinner) Weekday: £41 per golfer Sunday: £45 per golfer

18 Holes (minimum 12 golfers) Homemade Soup & Sandwiches 18 Holes of Golf Weekday: £34 per golfer Sunday: £39 per golfer

27 Holes (minimum 12 golfers) Bacon Roll & Coffee on arrival 9 Holes of Golf Homemade Soup & Sandwiches 18 Holes of Golf 2 Course Dinner (Choice of Menus) £50 per golfer

Golf Days are usually held on Thursdays and Fridays and Sundays, other days are available, we can tailor to your individual requirements, prices on request.

18 holes · Par 70 • 6406 • 5785 • 5557 • 5321

58 Mere Golf & Country Club Chester Road, Mere, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6LJ Telephone: 01565 830 155 play@meregolf.co.uk www.meregolf.co.uk 12. How to Find From the South M6 – junction 19. Take the A556 (right) towards Altrincham and Manchester Airport. Less than one mile on the right hand side is the entrance to club. From Manchester (M62/M56) M56 – Junction 7. Take the A556 filter lane following Tatton Park signs. After approx. 1 mile, at the first set of traffic lights continue across. At the next set of lights after approx. ¾ mile, turn sharp left into club entrance.

Mere

Golf & Country Club

18 holes, Par 71 • 6887 • 6330 • 5680

Designed by James Braid, Mere is as famous for its beauty as it is for the challenges it presents. It would be hard to find a more picturesque course than Mere, with its parkland setting alongside the beautiful lake which gives the course its name.

Facilities: Floating Golf Ball Driving Range, Putting Green, Chipping Green, Golf Tuition, Buggies, Clubhouse, Restaurant, Member’s Leisure Club

Mere offers cleverly sited hazards and some of the best greens in Britain. The 6,887 yard, par 71 course was created out of 150 acres of Cheshire parkland in 1934. Mature trees, rhododendron bushes and the lake add considerable charm to a day’s golf but they are also there to test you!

The Open Championship Regional Qualifying Course 2009 - 2013

Water, ravines and thick vegetation have been incorporated into the layout so that care and accuracy are demanded on many holes. Sky Sports commentator Steve Beddoes has described Mere as ‘The Wentworth of the North’.

Membership applications invited

the experience 01565 830155 play@meregolf.co.uk · www.meregolf.co.uk

Signature Holes The last four holes are particularly memorable. The 15th is a tough par 4 from the first stroke - a dogleg left from a raised tee with a carry of more than 215 yards over a stream. Three times open winner Henry Cotton named the par 4 16th hole as one of his favourites. The short par 4 17th has been described as a card-wrecker. The par 5 18th requires a straight tee shot from a raised tee to the top of a hill. A particular favourite with Colin Montgomerie on his recent visit.

60 Mottram Hall Wilmslow Road Mottram St Andrew Cheshire SK10 4QT Telephone: 01625 828135 DMH.Sales@Devere-hotels.com www.devere.co.uk 13. How to Find From M56, exit junction 6 towards Wilmslow/Macclesfield. Turn left at A538/Wilmslow Rd. Turn left at A538/Alderley Rd. At roundabout take 3rd exit onto A538 and next roundabout take 2nd exit onto A34/Handforth Bypass. At A538 take the 1st exit onto A538/Prestbury. Mottram Hall is on your left after 2 miles.

Mottram Hall GOLF CLUB

Mottram Hall Championship course was designed by Dave Thomas, who previously designed the Brabazon course at the Belfry. It is a challenging 7006 yard par 72, perfect for a weekend golf break or a golf society outing. Set in 270 acres of Magnificent Cheshire parkland, fairways dotted with oak and beech trees. Tricky, well-guarded greens. This is golf at its best. The Championship is a course of 2 loops; The front 9 are played on relatively flat meadowland, with generous fairways giving you the chance to pull the driver out of the bag without too many worries. The back 9 is tougher and makes you think on every tee. The holes are more densely wooded with undulating fairways and carpet like greens. The Clubhouse has an impressive brasserie type bar area with sunny terraces that overlook the course.

18 holes Par 72 • 7006 • 6675 • 5929

Facilities: Hotel & Spa, Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Driving Range, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop, Function/Meeting Rooms

Signature Holes 13th, Par 4. S.I. 1 hole, and an absolute brute. Only the very longest hitters will reach this hole in 2, with a right to left fairway that goes uphill and downhill, before having a sharp incline to the large undulating green. 17th. Another long par 4 that doglegs left to right round heavy woodland on either side of the fairway. If you can fade your drive and hit it long enough it will put you in a good position behind the small stream to reach the green comfortably in 2.

Summer Group Golf from £30.00 per person. Call (01625) 820 064 for details.

61 Peover Golf Club Plumley Moor Road Lower Peover, Near Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 9SE Telephone: 01565 723337 mail@peovergolfclub.co.uk www.peovergolfclub.co.uk 14. How to Find From M6 junction 19, exit onto the A556/Chester Road towards Northwich/Chester. At The Smoker traffic lights turn left onto Plumley Moor Road. Golf course is after 2 miles on the right.

18 holes, Par 72 • 6702 • 6339 • 5640

Facilities: Putting green, Golf Lessons, Buggies, Clubhouse, Restaurant Signature Holes Hole 10, Par 4. The feature hole. A drive between 2 sycamores will run down an undulating fairway. Although the river protects the left hand side, the green is generally unprotected. Hole 14, Par 5. Only the brave will take on the Peover Eye, leaving the green reachable in two. Safest to lay up leaving a long iron or fairway wood for the second shot, then an easier shot into the green.

Peover GOLF CLUB

Peover Golf Club is a challenging parkland course, covering 165 acres of varied terrain, and is considered one of the country’s sternest tests for any golfer. The course is situated in picturesque surroundings where the course and its fairways make the most of their natural features without exploiting them. The ponds and the Peover Eye River that runs through the course are havens for wildlife, but attractive as they are, they have no respect for the wayward drive or that misplaced approach shot. There is an excellent mix of holes varying in design and character with many doglegs and water hazards including the Peover Eye River which three of the fairways cross. The undulating landscape has been enhanced with thousands of new trees which, with the existing mature trees and woodland, give aesthetic appeal as well as privacy, safety and space between holes.

Plumley Moor Road, Lower Peover, Near Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 9SE Tel: 01565 72 33 37 · mail@peovergolfclub.co.uk · www.peovergolfclub.co.uk

62 Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa Cobblers Cross Lane, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0DJ Telephone: 0870 194 2235 golf.portal@macdonald-hotels.co.uk www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk 15. How to Find From the M6: Leave the M6 at Junction 18. Take the A54 towards Middlewich/Winsford. Turn Left onto the A49 and travel through Cotebrook. Signposts for the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa appear on the left hand side approx. one mile after Cotebrook. From the North: Take the A49, cross the junction with the A54, travel through the village of Cotebrook. Signposts for the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa appear on the left hand side approx. one mile after Cotebrook.

Portal

Championship Golf Course

With 210 acres of idyllic parkland and water features, the 18-hole Portal Championship Golf Course offers a rewarding game to golfers at every level. Three holes which particularly encapsulate The Portal Championship Course are the Par 5 3rd hole with its elevated tee, 602 yards challenge and lake fronted green; the picturesque Par 3 14th surrounded by landscaped water features and the dramatic 18th with its cascading waterfall backdrop. Take a well-earned comfort break at the Halfway House, stop for on-course refreshments at weekends and relive your game on the balcony of the Private Members’ Lounge which has a bar, TV and stunning views across the course.

18 holes, Par 73 • 7058 • 6577 • 5928

Facilities: Hotel, Spa, Largest indoor golf academy in Europe, Lounge Bar, Restaurants, Putting Green, Buggies, Trolleys, Pro shop

Golf Academy If you’re new to the game, or want to improve, our PGA Professionals are available for individual or group tuition. Using their expertise and the advanced technology of our indoor golf academy, they will enhance your long and short game techniques, concentrating on pitching, chipping, putting and bunker play. The Academy features leading ‘A Star’ Swing Analysis Software, a Smart Golf simulator with over 20 courses, a 6-hole putting green and bunker.

Swing Out Sisters Welcome Pack • Buck Fizz, Scrambled Egg & Smoked Salmon served on a toasted muffin • Hand & Arm or Foot Massage • 18 holes – Championship Course • Two Course Meal

From £60 per person - One in Eight Free Lady Residential Packages also available, please call for further details. Quote: Golf Guide

Contact our golf sales team on 0844 879 9082

63 Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa Cobblers Cross Lane, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0DJ Telephone: 0870 194 2235 golf.portal@macdonald-hotels.co.uk www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk 15. How to Find From the M6: Leave the M6 at Junction 18. Take the A54 towards Middlewich/Winsford. Turn Left onto the A49 and travel through Cotebrook. Signposts for the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa appear on the left hand side approx. one mile after Cotebrook. From the North: Take the A49, cross the junction with the A54, travel through the village of Cotebrook. Signposts for the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa appear on the left hand side approx. one mile after Cotebrook.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6582 • 6293 • 5688

Facilities: Spike Bar, Putting Green, Practice nets, Buggies, Trolleys, Pro shop Signature Holes 15th, Par 3. “Platt’s Wood.” At only 157 yards off the yellow tee this isn’t the longest or most difficult of holes, but it is the sheer height of the tee above the green, possibly 50 feet, that makes it stand out. Club selection is tricky as the ball can be greatly affected by the wind. 18th, Par 5. “Your Round.” A great par 5 to finish. A tough drive to a fairway that slopes right to left. Then either a solid lay up or big second can get you close enough for a birdie chance.

4 Fore 1 £80 Quote: Golf Guide

Contact our golf sales team on 0844 879 9082

Portal

Premier Course

Just 2 minutes from the hotel, the scenic 18-hole parkland Premier Course provides a feast for the eye as well as a challenge to golfers of all levels. With the panoramic views of the 15th overlooking the Cheshire plains and the beautiful water feature on the 17th, the course builds up to a spectacular finish with the par 5 18th hole. At 493 yards the 18th is designed for the long hitters, and you can be sure of a warm welcome at the award-winning clubhouse, where wholesome bar meals, drinks and snacks are served from 11am until closing. Arderne Course Our 9-hole Arderne Course presents a superb challenge for beginners and experienced golfers alike.

64 Pryors Hayes Golf Club Willington Road, Oscroft, Tarvin Chester CH3 8NL Tel : 01829 741250 / 740140 Fax: 01829 749077 info@pryors-hayes.co.uk www.pryorshayes.com 16. How to Find Pryors Hayes Golf Club is situated 6 miles east of Historic Chester, just off the A54 on the main road between Chester and the M6 junction 19. Turn off the A54 at Shay Lane, this turns into Willington Road and the course is after a mile.

Pryors Hayes

18 holes • Par 69 • 5915 • 5524 • 4996

GOLF CLUB

Situated in the heart of rural Cheshire, this flat parkland golf course offers far more than meets the eye. Although short in length Pryors Hayes’ small greens and well designed layout provides a fair test for all levels of golfer. Well renowned for its friendly atmosphere and welcoming nature, Pryors Hayes was nominated for Golf Club of the Year in 2009, narrowly missing out on the top prize.

Facilities: Pro Shop, Marquee, Celebration Garden, Covered Video Teaching Bay, Short Game Area

With the addition of a state of the art teaching facility, marquee and celebration garden makes it one of the most complete facilities in Cheshire. With a recent refurbishment the overall look of the club is warm and homely with the pleasant staff very welcoming to both members and visitors alike. Pryors Hayes is a golf club with a modern outlook on how golfers should be looked after. Why not check us out at www.pryorshayes.com.

RU N N ER UP I N

GOLF CLUB OF

THE YEAR

Golf’s in full swing at

AWARD 2009

Membership The ladies section have two formal and one friendly competition a week, meeting on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. Up to one hundred seniors play every Tuesday, along with home and away team matches. Male members and juniors play Wednesday and Saturday competitions with the freedom to play at their preferred tee times. Membership is open all year round with no joining fees or waiting lists and with many different offers available throughout the season.

1/2 PRICE GOLF OFFER Play for half price when producing this advert

COMMENDED FOR

COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE

YEAR 2009

YEAR 2008

WEEKENDS

(Normally £60)

(Normally £80)

2 for £30

FINALIST IN MOST

WELCOMING CLUB OF THE

WEEKDAYS To book call 01829 741250 or email info@pryors-hayes.co.uk

2 for £40

Call: 01829 741250 to book quoting reference: NWGG or email info@pryors-hayes.co.uk

65 Runcorn Golf Club The Heath, Clifton Road, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 4SU Telephone: 01928 574214 Email enquiries via website www.runcorngolfclub.co.uk 17. How to Find From the South via M56 exit at junction 12. Follow expressway signed Liverpool/Airport. Leave at 2nd exit following sign for Weston Village/The Heath. After 1 mile turn right at traffic lights into Clifton Road. The Club is 300 yards on your right. From the North via M62 head through Widnes and accross the Runcorn Widnes bridge exiting left following the Northwich sign onto the Expressway. After ½ mile take slip road exit turning left at the Polar Ford Garage onto Heath Road for one mile to traffic lights. Turn left into Clifton Road

18 holes, Par 69 • 6048 • 5877 • 5402

Signature Hole Hole 9. Par 4, 341yds (White Tee) Surely a magnificent hole. Do not be fooled by the panoramic views of the 9th and 10th fairway as many dangers lie ahead. Slice the ball to the right and it will be a certain dropped shot. For the big hitter a ditch secretly guards the green for those who take it on. For those who play to the left of the fairway and are pleased with their drive, a giant tree on the fairway obscures the view of the hole and the way in.

Facilities: Putting Green, Practice Nets, Practice area, Professionals Shop, Golf Lessons, Club House/ Locker room etc, Restaurant, Snooker Room

Runcorn GOLF CLUB

Runcorn Golf Club was established in 1909 as a 9-hole course on heath land and is currently celebrating its Centenary Year. The course continued as 9 holes until the early 1970’s when it was extended to 18 holes, this being completed in 1977. The course, which is situated on the highest part of Runcorn, has now matured into a fine tree-lined parkland course giving easy walking with views over the Mersey and Weaver Valleys. The undulating course has superb greens that will test the best of putting skills having a variety of excellent designs and features. The course is a thorough test for all golfers and is truly a ‘hidden gem’ with visitors and societies returning annually. A friendly welcome awaits visitors and new members with fantastic food, good company and a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a drink and a meal with friends or family.

RUNCORN GOLF CLUB WELCOMES New members, societies and visitors No joining fees and Special Introductory Offer to new Lady Members of 50% subscription. Contact Hon secretary · 01928 574214 · secretary@runcorngolfclub.co.uk · www.runcorngolfclub.co.uk

66 Sandiway Golf Club Limited The Clubhouse, Chester Road Sandiway, Northwich CW8 2DJ Telephone: 01606 883247 information@sandiwaygolf.co.uk www.sandiwaygolf.co.uk 18. How to Find From M6 junction 19 take A556 (Chester) and the entrance is 10.5 miles on the left hand side of the A556. From Chester take A51 and then A556. Bear left onto A559 to tee junction in 800 metres. Turn right over bridge & take next right that is the slip road to A556 (Chester). The entrance driveway is the next turning left in 250 metres.

Sandiway GOLF CLUB

Drive along the A556 on the Manchester to Chester route between the villages of Hartford and Sandiway on the Northwich bypass and you could be forgiven for missing a sign on the left that denotes Sandiway Golf Club. If you missed the sign you would have driven past the entrance to one of the finest clubs and one of the highest quality inland golf courses in the region. Its fairways are generous, but tree-lined with mature oak, beech and birch; the classic inland course trees dominate, and the picturesque back nine offers unrivalled views of Petty Pool, an old Cheshire mere, which forms a stunning backcloth, particularly on the eleventh and twelfth holes. The greens, although small by modern standards, are of the quality expected on a championship course.

18 holes, Par 70 • 6404 • 6019 • 5632

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Driving Range, Buggies, Trolleys, Custom fitting, Lessons, Pro shop

The Clubhouse Originally built in 1926 with the financial assistance of Brunner Mond and Company, its external style followed that of a traditional Cheshire farmhouse. As the game thrived and the membership increased extensions and facilities were added, but the environmentally friendly appearance has been kept. It is a Clubhouse for golfers. Sandiway has been singled out to host international, national, regional and local championships.

Sandiway Golf Club We currently have vacancies for ladies within the membership. For full details please contact the office. Tel: 01606 883247 – option number 4. Sandiway Golf Club, Chester Road, Sandiway, Northwich CW8 2DJ · Tel: 01606 883 247 · information@sandiwaygolf.co.uk · www.sandiwaygolf.co.uk

67 Barceló Shrigley Hall Golf Club Pott Shrigley Shrigley Nr. Macclesfield Cheshire SK10 5SB Telephone: 01625 575626 shrigleyhall.golfretail@barcelo-hotels.co.uk www.barcelo-hotels.co.uk 19. How to Find From the South; exit the M6 at Junction 17. Take A534 then A536 to Macclesfield. From the North; exit the M6 at Junction 20. Take A50 then A537 to Macclesfield. At Macclesfield follow A523 towards Stockport for approx. 4 miles. Turn right into Brookledge Lane, Barceló Shrigley Hall is 2 miles on your left.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6241 • 5984 • 5241

Golf Packages Barceló Shrigley Hall is the perfect venue for entertaining colleagues, clients or business associates. We tailor packages to specifically meet our clients requirements, to suit different budgets for groups of 8 or more. All packages include free use of the hotel’s leisure facilities and the Clubhouse’s private function room. We will happily place your chosen signs or banners around the course during the event. Our club pros will be at your disposal on the day.

Facilities: Hotel, Spa, Bars, Restaurants, Putting Green, Buggies, Trolleys, Practice Ground, Lessons, Pro shop, Conference, Leisure & Beauty

Barceló Shrigley Hall GOLF CLUB

Set in 262 acres of glorious Cheshire countryside, Barceló Shrigley Hall offers a true Championship course, and a real test of skill and stamina, whatever your handicap. Our 18-hole, par-71 course takes you through magnificent woodland and open parkland, and was designed by celebrated architect Donald Steel, who has worked on every Open Championship venue in the country. It’s greatest rewards, though, are the stunning views over five counties – and the warm welcome you’ll receive at our historic Country House Hotel and Health & Leisure Club. Built in the 19th Century, it combines Victorian grandeur with the finest contemporary comfort. And with a range of day, short break, corporate and membership packages to choose from, Barceló Shrigley Hall has everything you need to relax and enjoy some of the best golf in Britain.

Fourball offer including buggies for £120.00. Subject to availability. Monday - Friday. REF: SHRGFOURBALL

68 The Warrington Golf Club Hill Warren, London Road Appleton, Warrington WA4 5HR Club: 01925 261 775 Pro: 01925 265 431 secretary@warringtongolfclub.co.uk www.warringtongolfclub.co.uk 20. How to Find Warrington Golf Club is ideally situated on the south side of Warrington, within easy access from the M56 motorway. Its location midway between Manchester and Liverpool gives access to all major transport routes. From the M56 junction 10 take the A49 towards Warrington. Travel through one set of lights and across a roundabout before coming to Warrington Golf Club’s entrance on the left hand side.

The Warrington

18 holes, Par 71 (73 Ladies) • 6211 • 5930 • 5700

GOLF CLUB

The Warrington Golf Club was founded in 1903 and is located on the south side of the town. Recent improvements to the course and its woodland areas have created a course that is both a challenging test of golf and an enjoyable experience for all. The imposing clubhouse also has excellent bar and catering services for the hungry and thirsty golfer at the end of a round. Situated less than a mile from the M56, Warrington Golf Club is easy to find and an excellent choice for the visiting golfer. The heathland course is noted for its natural surroundings, including fine views of Lancashire, Cheshire and the Welsh hills. Superb drainage makes play possible for 52 weeks of the year, and an experienced pro shop, clubhouse and administration team ensure you will get a warm welcome and that your day will be one to remember.

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Pro shop, Trolleys, Custom fitting, Lessons Signature Holes 7th. “Steeple.” Teeing off from the highest part of the course, you can enjoy magnificent views across Warrington and the adjoining countryside. Although a relatively short Par 4, you take on the fairway bunkers at your peril. 17th. “Hill Warren.” Named after the land on which the course is built, is a challenging Par 5. Bunkers and gorse make for a testing drive. A pond short of the green requires a decision on whether to go for the green or lay up.

The Warrington Golf Club Secretary - 01925 261775 secretary@warringtongolfclub.co.uk www.warringtongolfclub.co.uk

Societies and visitors are assured of a warm welcome at The Warrington Golf Club

69 Vale Royal Abbey Whitegate Northwich Cheshire CW8 2BA Telephone: 01606 301291 events@vra.co.uk www.vra.co.uk 21. How to Find From junction 19 M6, take the A556 west towards Chester for approx. 10 miles, crossing the ‘Blue Bridge’ over the River Weaver, through the Pelican Crossing (right turn for Hartford). Continue for just over a mile and move into the right hand lane. At the bottom of the hill turn back up the other carriageway to branch off left after 400 yards (signposted Hartford, Winsford and Whitegate). At the T-junction turn right to Whitegate, Winsford and Vale Royal Abbey.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6463 • 6160 • 5581

Signature Hole A worthy, but close, victor against the stunning backdrop of the 18th hole, the signature hole is the 7th. A tough dog leg left at S.I. 1. An intimidating drive with water left and woodland right - a mishit to either side and you are resigned to laying up short of the green. The approach is to a small green, particularly for the length of the hole at 467 yards off the competition tee, which is framed by sharp contouring to the right and the beautiful Rookery Pool left & behind.

Facilities: Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar, Banqueting Hall, Conference Facilities, Chipping Area, Putting Green, Practice Ground, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Swing Room, Pro shop

Vale Royal Abbey GOLF CLUB

Vale Royal Abbey is renowned for its extremely friendly and relaxing atmosphere, welcoming visiting golfers and parties throughout the year. The course was designed by renowned British Golf Course Architect Simon Gidman, and is set amidst beautiful rolling Cheshire countryside. As such, the course enjoys breathtaking views throughout the round. All greens are constructed to USGA specifications, which along with the naturally free draining site, enables the course to remain open all year round, irrespective of the weather conditions. All tees remain in use throughout the year eliminating the need for winter tees or mats. Each hole is individually characteristic and provides a true golfing test, requiring imaginative shot making with every club in the bag whilst remaining enjoyable to play for all standards of golfer.

70 Vicars Cross Golf Club Tarvin Road, Great Barrow, Chester Cheshire CH3 7HN Club: 01244 335 174 Pro: 01244 335 595 manager@vicarscrossgolf.co.uk www.vicarscrossgolf.co.uk 22. How to Find From M6 junction 19 take A556 (Chester). After 15 miles A556 turns into A51 Tarvin Road and course is on the right hand side after 2 miles. Four miles east of Chester City Centre on A51 Tarvin Road.

Vicars Cross

18 holes, Par 72 • 6446 • 6191 • 5641

GOLF CLUB

Facilities: Bar, Clubhouse Restaurant, Putting Green, Driving Range (covered and open bays), Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop, Function/Meeting Rooms

Vicars Cross Golf Club is a mature 18 hole parkland course of almost 6500 yards from the white tees and has a par of 72. In recent years many improvements have been made including extensive tree planting, improving fairway drainage and rebuilding the greens to USGA standards. Members and visitors alike can now enjoy year-round golf on one of Cheshire’s most attractive courses. The golf course architect Ken Moodie designed and oversaw the entire project using all his knowledge and experience. He introduced some very interesting, not to mention challenging, putting surfaces with bunkers strategically placed in just the right places in order to encourage accurate approach shots. The new USGA standard greens are establishing themselves well and have received a lot of complimentary remarks.

Summer Package 18 Holes of Golf + £5 food voucher (min 3 persons) £35.00 p.p. weekdays / £40.00 p.p. weekends Quote : NWGG20

Signature Holes Hole 7: One of the harder par 4’s on the course, this dogleg right carries an abundance of hazards. Trees threaten the drive whilst a stream crossing the fairway and left of the large, undulating green demand an accurate approach. Hole 18: A short par 3 in front of the clubhouse to finish. The steeply sloping green means you have to land on the correct tier avoiding the 3 large bunkers. Anything long leaves a tough ‘up and down’.

Pro Shop Expert instruction Launch monitor custom fit centre

Societies

Explanar swing training

(12 or more) receive 2 complimentary greenfees

Video swing analysis

Valid for 6 months after your society visit.

With Advanced PGA Professional Gavin Beddow

Quote : NWGG21

71 Wychwood Park Golf Club Weston, Crewe Cheshire CW2 5GP Telephone: 0844 980 2323 wychwood@deverevenues.co.uk www.devere.co.uk 23. How to Find From the M6 Junction 16, take the A500 toward Nantwich. At the roundabout take the A531 towards Keele and Nantwich. At the next roundabout turn left onto the A531 towards Keele. The entrance is at the right exit on the next roundabout. From Chester take the A51 to Nantwich until you reach the Burford Crossroads. Turn left, towards Stone and follow A500 through Shavington and Hough. At the next roundabout take 3rd exit onto A531 towards Keele.

18 holes, Par 72 • 7213 • 6722 • 6320 • 5618

Signature Holes Hole 7, Par 5. A tough hole that requires nerve off the tee, your drive must clear a nature reserve onto split fairways either side of a stream. Long second shot to a narrow target means it may be safer to lay up. Hole 17, Par 3. A long hole when played off the back tees, it requires a full carry of almost 200 yards to clear the water. The elevated position of the tee box makes the hole appear shorter than it is. A visually stunning hole.

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Driving range, chipping area and putting green, Buggies, Electric Trolleys, Equipment hire, Custom fitting, Lessons and clinics, Pro shop, Conference facilities, Hotel and Spa

Wychwood Park GOLF CLUB

Just 5 minutes from Junction 16 of the M6, Wychwood Park enjoys stunning views of the Cheshire countryside in a location accessible to both the North and South. This European PGA tour standard course opened in 2002, and provides the ultimate challenge for golfers. Water features throughout the course, with a number of protected wildlife areas scattered throughout. Wychwood also contains the latest computer irrigation system ensuring the course is in the best playing condition and well presented throughout the year. The elegant Clubhouse provides a relaxing setting before and after your game, and features the Wychwood Suite - the perfect base for Corporate days and client entertaining.

Special mid week offer, June & July. 4 ball inc 2 buggies £120

Cheshire Directory

Alder Root Golf Club Alder Root Lane, Winwick Warrington, WA2 8RZ Telephone: 01925 291919 enquiries@alderrootgolfclub.com www.alderrootgolfclub.com

Astbury Golf Club Peel Lane, Astbury, Congleton, CW12 4RE Telephone: 01260 272772 admin@astburygolfclub.com www.astburygolfclub.com

Chester Golf Club Curzon Park, Chester, CH4 8AR Telephone: 01244 677760 secretary@chestergolfclub.co.uk www.chestergolfclub.co.uk

Alderley Edge Golf Club Brook Lane, Alderley Edge SK9 7RU Telephone: 0162 585583 office@aegc.co.uk www.aegc.co.uk

Birchwood Golf Club Kelvin Close, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 7PB Telephone: 01925 818819 facilitiesmanager@birchwoodgolfclub.co.uk www.birchwoodgolfclub.co.uk

Congleton Golf Club Biddulph Road, Congleton, CW12 3LZ Telephone: 01260 273540 info@congletongolfclub.co.uk www.congletongolf.co.uk

Aldersley Green Golf Club Aldersey, Nr Chester CH3 9EH Telephone: 01829 782157 bradburygolf@aol.com www.alderseygreengolfclub.co.uk

Bramhall Golf Club Ladythorn Road, Bramall, Stockport, SK7 2EY Telephone: 0161 439 6092 secretary@bramhallgolfclub.com www.bramhallgolfclub.com

Crewe Golf Club Fields Road, Haslington, Crewe, CW1 1TB Telephone: 01270 584227 secretary@crewegolfclub.co.uk www.crewegolfclub.co.uk

Altrincham Municipal Golf Club Stockport Road, Timperley, Altrincham, WA15 7LP Telephone: 0161 928 0761 enquiries@altrinchamgolfclub.org.uk www.altrinchamgolfclub.org.uk

Bramall Park Golf Club 20 Manor Road, Bramall, Stockport, SK7 3LY Telephone: 0161 485 3119 secretary@bramhallparkgolfclub.co.uk www.bramhallparkgolfclub.co.uk

Davenport Golf Club Worth Hall, Middleswood Road, Poynton, SK12 1TS Telephone: 0162 876951 Email enquiries via website www.davenportgolf.co.uk

Alvaston Hall Golf Club Middlewitch Road, Nantwich, CW5 6PD Telephone: 01270 624341 warnerweb@warnerleisurehotels.co.uk www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk

Brookfield Golf Club Hankelow, Audlem, Nr Nantwich Cheshire CW3 0JE Telephone: 012708 12991 info@brookfieldgolfclub.co.uk www.brookfieldgolfclub.co.uk

Delamere Forest Golf Club Station Road, Delamere, Northwich, CW8 2JE Telephone: 01606 883264 info@delameregolf.co.uk www.delamergolf.co.uk

Antrobus Golf Club Foggs Lane, Antrobus, Northwich, CW9 6JQ Telephone: 01925 730890 admin@antrobusgc.com www.antrobusgolfclub.co.uk

Carden Park Golf Club Carden Park, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 9DQ Telephone: 01829 731000 golf@devere.co.uk www.devere.co.uk/golf

Disley Golf Club Stanley Hall Lane, Disley, Stockport, SK12 2JX Telephone: 01663 762071 secretary@disleygolfclub.co.uk www.disleygolfclub.co.uk

Ashton-On-Mersey Golf Club Church Lane, Sale, M33 5QQ Telephone: 0161 973 3220 golf.aomgc@dbhmail.co.uk www.ashtononmerseygolfclub.co.uk

Cheadle Golf Club Shiers Drive, Cheadle Road, Cheadle, SK8 1HW Telephone: 0161 428 2160 cheadlegolfclub@msn.com www.cheadlegolfclub.com

Dukinfield Golf Club Yew Tree Lane, Dukinfield, SK16 5DB Telephone: 0161 338 2340 dgclub@tiscali.co.uk www.dukinfieldgolfclub.co.uk

Cheshire Directory

Dunham Forest Golf & Country Club Oldfield Lane, Altrincham, WA14 4TY Telephone: 0161 928 2605 enquiries@dunhamforest.com www.dunhamforest.com

Hartford Golf Club Burrows Hill, Hartford, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 3AP Telephone: 01606 871162 info@hartfordgolf.co.uk www.hartfordgolf.co.uk

Knights Grange Golf Club Grange Lane, Winsford, CW7 2PT Telephone: 01606 552780 mail.knightsgrangegolfclub.co.uk www.knightsgrangegolfclub.co.uk

Eaton Golf Club Guy Lane, Waverton, Chester, CH3 7PH Telephone: 01244 335885 info@eatongolfclub.co.uk www.eatongolfclub.co.uk

Hazel Grove Golf Club Hazel Grove, Stockport, SK7 6LU Telephone: 0161 483 3217 secretary@hazelgrovegolfclub.com www.hazelgrovegolfclub.com

Knutsford Golf Club Mereheath Lane, Knutsford, WA16 6HS Telephone: 01565 633355 secretary@knutsfordgolf.com www.basickey.com/knutsfordgolf

Ellesmere Port Golf Club Chester Road, Childer Thornton, South Wirral, CH66 1QF Telephone: 0151 339 7689 Email n/a Website n/a

Heaton Moor Golf Club Mauldeth Road, Heaton Mersey, Stockport, SK4 3NX Telephone: 0161 432 2134 heatonmoorgolfclub@yahoo.co.uk www.heatonmoorgolfclub.co.uk

Leigh Golf Club Kenyon Hall, Culcheth, Warrington, WA3 4BG Telephone: 01925 763130 golf@leighgolf.fsnet.co.uk www.leighgolf.co.uk

Frodsham Golf Club Simons Lane, Frodsham, WA6 6HE Telephone: 01928 732159 paulw@frodshamgolf.co.uk www.frodshamgolf.co.uk

Helsby Golf Club Towerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lane, Helsby, Warrington, WA6 0JB Telephone: 01928 722021 secretary@helsbygolfclub.org www.helsbygolfclub.org

Lymm Golf Club Whitbarrow Road, Lymm, WA13 9AN Telephone: 01925 752177 lymmgolfclub@btconnect.com www.lymm-golf-club.co.uk

Gatley Golf Club Styal Road, Heald Green, Cheadle, SK8 3TW Telephone: 0161 437 2091 secretary@gatleygolfclub.com www.gatleygolfclub.com

Heyrose Golf Club Budworth Road, Tabley, Knutsford, WA16 0HY Telephone: 01565 733664 info@heyrosegolfclub.com www.heyrosegolfclub.com

Macclesfield Golf Club The Hollins, Macclesfield, SK11 7EA Telephone: 01625 423227 Email enquiries via website www.maccgolfclub.co.uk

Gorstyhill Golf Club Wychwood Village, Weston, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 5SQ Telephone: 01270 829166 info@gorstyhillgolf.co.uk www.gorstyhillgolf.co.uk

High Legh Park Golf Club Mere & High Legh, Warrington Road, Knutsford, WA16 0WA Telephone: 01565 830888 info@highleghpark.com www.highleghpark.com

Malkins Bank Golf Course Malkins Bank, Sandbach, CW11 4XN Telephone: 01270 765931 malkins.bank@congleton.gov.uk www.congleton.gov.uk

Hale Golf Club Rappax Road, Hale, WA15 0NU Telephone: 0161 980 4225 secretary@halegolfclub.com www.halegolfclub.com

Houldsworth Golf Club Houldsworth Street, Reddish, Stockport, SK5 6BN Telephone: 0161 442 9611 houldsworthsecretary@hotmail.co.uk www.houldsworthgolfclub.co.uk

Marple Golf Club Barnsfield Road, Hawk Green, Marple, Stockport, SK6 7EL Telephone: 0161 427 2311 secretary@marple-golf-club.co.uk www.marplegolfclub.co.uk

Cheshire Directory

Mellor & Townscliffe Golf Club Tarden, Gibb Lane, Mellor, Stockport, SK6 5NA Telephone: 0161 427 9700 secretary@mellorgolf.co.uk www.mellorgolf.co.uk

Peover Golf Club Plumley Moor Rd, Lower Peover, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 9SE Telephone: 01565 723337 mail@peovergolfclub.co.uk www.peovergolfclub.co.uk

Reaseheath Golf Club Reaseheath College, Reaseheath, Nantwich, CW5 6DF Telephone: 01270 625131 enquiries@reaseheath.ac.uk www.reaseheath.ac.uk

Mere Golf & Country Club Chester Road, Mere, Knutsford, WA16 6LF Telephone: 01565 830155 enquiries@meregolf.co.uk www.meregolf.co.uk

Portal G & C C Cobblers Cross Lane, Tarporley, CW6 0DF Telephone: 01829 733933 Email enquiries via website www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Reddish Vale Golf Club Southcliffe Road, Reddish, Stockport, SK5 7EE Telephone: 0161 480 2359 admin@rvgc.co.uk www.reddishvalegolfclub.co.uk

Mersey Valley Golf Club Warrington Road, Bold Heath, Widnes, WA8 3XL Telephone: 0151 424 6060 Email enquiries via website www.merseyvalleygolfclub.co.uk

Portal Premier Golf Club Forest Road, Tarporley, CW6 0JA Telephone: 01829 733884 Email enquiries via website www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Ringway Golf Club Hale Mount, Hale Burns, Altrincham, WA15 8SW Telephone: 0161 904 9609 fiona@ringwaygolfclub.co.uk www.ringwaygolfclub.co.uk

Mobberley Golf Club Barleyhurst Lane, Mobberley, Knutsford, WA16 7JZ Telephone: 01565 880188 enquiries@mobgolfclub.co.uk www.mobgolfclub.co.uk

Poulton Park Golf Club Dig Lane, Cinnamon Brow, WA2 0SH Telephone: 01925 812034 secretary@poultonparkgolfclub.co.uk www.poultonparkgolfclub.co.uk

Romiley Golf Club Goosehouse Green, Romiley, Stockport, SK6 4LY Telephone: 0161 430 2392 office@romileygolfclub.org www.romileygolfclub.org

Mollington Grange Golf Club Townfield Lane, Mollington, Chester, CH1 6NJ Telephone: 01244 851185 gail@mollingtongolfclub.co.uk www.mollingtongolfclub.co.uk

Prestbury Golf Club Macclefield Road, Prestbury, Macclesfield, SK10 4BJ Telephone: 01625 829388 office@prestburygolfclub.com www.prestburygolfclub.com

Runcorn Golf Club Clifton Road, Runcorn, WA7 4SU Telephone: 01928 572093 Email enquiries via website www.runcorngolfclub.co.uk

Moorend Golf Course & Driving Range Woodford Rd, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire, SK7 1QE Telephone: 0161 440 7788 info@moorendgolf.com www.moorendgolf.com

Pryors Hayes Golf Club Willington Rd, Oscroft, Tarvin, Nr Chester, CH3 8NL Telephone: 01829 741250 info@pryors-hayes.co.uk www.pryors-hayes.co.uk

Sandbach Golf Club Middlewich Road, Sandbach, CW11 1FH Telephone: 01270 762117 sec@sandbachgolfclub.co.uk www.sandbachgolfclub.co.uk

Mottram Hall Hotel Golf Club Wilmslow Road, Mottram St Andrew, Prestbury, SK10 4QT Telephone: 01625 828135 Email enquiries via website www.devere-hotels.com

Queens Park Golf Club Queens Park Drive, Crewe, SW2 7SB Telephone: Email enquiries via website www.gczcg.co.uk/queenspark

Sandiway Golf Club Chester Road, Sandiway, CW8 2DJ Telephone: 01606 883247 information@sandiwaygolf.co.uk www.sandiwaygolf.co.uk

Cheshire Directory

Shrigley Hall Hotel & C C Shrigley Park, Pott Shrigley, Macclesfield, SK10 5SB Telephone: 01625 575757 shrigleyhall.golf@barcelohotels.co.uk www.barcelo-hotels.co.uk

Upton-By-Chester Golf Club Upton Lane, Chester, CH2 1EE Telephone: 01244 381183 secretary@uptonbychestergolfclub.co.uk www.uptonbychestergolfclub.co.uk

Woodside Golf Club Knutsford Road, Holmes Chapel, CW4 8HJ Telephone: 01477 532388 info@woodsidegolf.co.uk www.woodsidegolf.co.uk

Stamford Golf Club Oakfield House, Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, SK15 3PY Telephone: 01457 832126 Email n/a www.stamfordgolfclub.co.uk

Vale Royal Abbey Golf Club Whitegate, Northwich, CW8 2BA Telephone: 01606 301291 enquiries@vra.co.uk www.vragc.co.uk

Wychwood Park Weston, Cheshire, CW2 5GP Telephone: 01270 820336 wychwood@deverevenues.co.uk www.deverevenues.co.uk

Stockport Golf Club Offerton Road, Offerton, Stockport, SK2 5HL Telephone: 0161 427 2001 info@stockportgolf.co.uk www.stockportgolf.co.uk

Vicars Cross Golf Club Tarvin Road, Great Barrow, Chester, CH3 7HN Telephone: 01244 335174 www.vicarscrossgolf.co.uk manager@vicarscrossgolf.co.uk

Styal Golf Club Station Road, Styal, SK9 4JN Telephone: 01625 531359 gtraynor@styalgolf.co.uk www.styalgolf.co.uk

Walton Hall Golf Club Warrington Road, Higher Walton, Warrington, WA4 5LU Telephone: 01925 266775 pro_shop@waltonhallgolfclub.co.uk www.waltonhallgolfclub.co.uk

Sutton Hall Golf Club Aston Lane, Sutton Weaver, WA7 3ED Telephone: 01928 790747 info@suttonhallgolf.co.uk www.suttonhallgolf.co.uk

Werneth Low Golf Club Werneth Low Road, Gee Cross, Hyde, SK14 3AF Telephone: 0161 368 2503 admin@wernethlowgolf.co.uk www.wernethlowgolf.co.uk

The Tytherington Golf Club Macclesfield, SK10 2JP Telephone: 01625 506000 Email enquiries via website www.theclubcompany.com

Widnes Golf Club Highfield Road, Widnes, WA8 7DT Telephone: 0151 424 2440 office@widnesgolfclub.co.uk www.widnes-golfclub.co.uk

The Warrington Golf Club Hill Warren, Appleton, WA4 5HR Telephone: 01925 261620 duncan@warringtongolfclub.co.uk www.warringtongolfclub.co.uk

Wilmslow Golf Club Great Warford, Mobberley, Knutsford, WA16 7AY Telephone: 01565 872148 info@wilmslowgolfclub.co.uk www.wilmslowgolfclub.co.uk

Greater Manchester INTRODUCTION

Greater Manchester

The area of Greater Manchester takes in the city itself, but also the surrounding towns of Bolton, Bury, Wigan, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Altrincham, and Oldham. A few short years ago it would have been laughable to suggest that the Manchester area could provide an enjoyable tourism experience, but a cultural renaissance has taken place that has transformed this industrial region into a vibrant centre of culture and the arts. Sophisticated and stylish, Manchester is the original 24-hour party city. From fine dining and chic hotels to cutting-edge clubs and bars and the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most progressive music scene, Manchester is always buzzing. The shopping here is legendary. With exclusive independent boutiques in the funky Northern

Greater Manchester INTRODUCTION

M-6

M-61 Rochdale

Bury

M-66

M-62

Bolton Oldham

Wigan & Leigh

M-60 Salford

M-58

Tameside

M-602 Manchester

01 Trafford

M-62

M-67

02 M-60 Stockport

M-56

01. Didsbury 02. Sale 03. Withington

M-6

Quarter, prestigious designer stores lining the handsome King Street and every conceivable type of market, you can shop to suit any budget. The is also the large indoor â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trafford Centreâ&#x20AC;?, which has over 250 shopping outlets, a large food hall and impressive 20 screen cinema complex. The past, the present and the future are intertwined in this city; historical landmarks complement bold, contemporary designs. World-class live events, international sporting competitions, and award-winning museums and galleries make Manchester one of the most entertaining places in the world. Add to this the passion of two top premiership football clubs, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no wonder Manchester is a place like no other.

78 Didsbury Golf Club Ford Lane, Northenden, Manchester M22 4NQ Club: 0161 998 9278 Pro: 0161 998 2811 golf@didsburygolfclub.com www.didsburygolfclub.com 01. How to Find From the M56, continue towards Manchester until M56 turns into A5103. Take the exit toward Northenden/B5166. Turn right at B5167/Wythenshawe Road, turn right at B5166/Church Road. Continue onto Ford Lane

Didsbury

18 holes, Par 70 (72 Ladies) • 6212 • 6010 • 5618

GOLF CLUB

Didsbury Golf Club is an attractive and ‘easy walking’ 18-hole parkland course located alongside the River Mersey. Founded in 1891, Course Architects include Alistair MacKenzie (1921), with redesigns by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas (1973). As well as being one of the busiest private member clubs in South Manchester , Didsbury GC is a popular venue for visiting parties with its relatively flat terrain and friendly atmosphere offering a good golfing challenge to all levels and handicaps.

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Practice Area, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop, Conference Facilities

Didsbury Golf Club is renowned for its friendly yet competitive atmosphere. It enjoys some of the best practice facilities in South Manchester, together with professional tuition supervised by the England & Cheshire County PGA Coach, Peter Barber. Didsbury Golf Club offers its Members and Visitors alike a haven of tranquillity within the city boundaries.

New USGA specification greens In May 2009 Didsbury GC proudly opened two new greens on Holes 1 and 13, built to USGA specification and designed by leading UK agronomist Peter Jones. The first hole is 173 yards in length with a tree lined approach. Peter Jones designed a generous sized green for the golfer’s first shot of the day, however two large riveted bunkers guarding the approach and run-offs into swales await the golfer who is not quite warmed up!

Great reasons for Ladies to join our club • Active Ladies Section with equal opportunities • Didsbury GC offer Ladies the opportunity to join as Full Members and play 7 days a week • Ladies compete with Men in all Club Events • Currently 25% discount offer on 2010/11 Subscription for all new lady members Didsbury Golf Club offers some of the best Teaching and Practice Facilities in the South Manchester area. Group Coaching Classes for Ladies

Visit our website www.didsburygolfclub.com for more details, or call us on 0161 998 9278

79 Sale Golf Club Sale lodge Golf Road, Sale Cheshire M33 2XU Telephone: 0161 973 1638 mail@salegolfclub.com www.salegolfclub.com 02. How to Find Exit M60 at Jct 6 and head for Sale, Old Hall Rd (A6144). After 0.3 mile turn left into Wythenshawe Rd (B5397). After 0.2 mile the road bends to the right. Turn left on this bend into New Hall Close and after 75 yds straight on at mini roundabout, onto Fairy Lane. Cross over the Motorway and next left at the roundabout onto Golf Rd. After 0.2 mile the clubhouse entrance is on the right.

18 holes, Par 70 • 6301 • 5944 • 5488

Signature Hole 4th, Par 4. “Bridle Path”

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Snooker Room, Putting Green, Practice Areas, Buggies, Trolleys, Custom fitting, Lessons, Pro shop

Sale GOLF CLUB

Sale Golf Club, founded in 1913, is a well established parkland course with a standard scratch of 70. The lodge of Sale Old Hall circa 1830, is steeped in tradition and has a well-earned reputation for good food and hospitality. Famous for our ‘Open Champion’, Richard Burton, who was the last ‘Club Professional’ to win the Open Championship, we have been home to many great golfers including Joanne Morley, currently on the Ladies professional circuit.

With the tee only a few feet from the river Mersey and the green right next to the bridle path, this hole demands accuracy, judgement and great nerve.

Set in an idyllic rural location next to Trafford Water Sports Centre, Sale Golf Club offers a gently undulating parkland course that presents an enjoyable challenge to both high and low handicap golfers. Providing ‘year round’ play, the course is maintained to the highest standards using the latest equipment.

A drive left of centre will leave a pitch to one of the smaller well bunkered greens on the course. A tough shot especially when the ground is firm in summer time.

SUMMER 2010 SPECIAL OFFERS Save up to 60% on green fees Announcing a limited number of fourball tee times available June, July, August at very special reduced rates Mondays £60. Tuesday to Friday £80. Buggies available for hire Book now. Call the Pro on 0161 973 1730 Quote NWGG when calling for the Green Fee Offer

80 Withington Golf Club 243 Palatine Road West Didsbury Manchester M20 2UE Telephone: 0161 445 9544 secretary@withingtongolfclub.co.uk www.withingtongolfclub.co.uk 03. How to Find Next to the M60 and M56, on the B5167 (Palatine Road) from Northenden to Manchester Pro Shop: 0161 445 4861 stevemarrgolf@btinternet.com

Withington

18 holes, Par 71 • 6388 • 6072 • 5692

GOLF CLUB

A splendid parkland course located along the winding and very picturesque River Mersey, just 5 miles from the City centre with easy access from the motorway system and Manchester International Airport. A par 71 at 6,388 yards in length it offers a challenge to the most discerning player and at the same time is a pleasure for the higher handicapper. The lush tree lined fairways and manicured greens have been described as the best in the Greater Manchester area.

Facilities: Buggies, Trolleys, Putting green, Pro shop, Golf lessons, Bar and catering

Withington Golf Club is a perfect venue for Society and Company Days or even a day away from your own club with your usual Four-Ball. Packages can be tailored to suit all your requirements, however large or small. Help and advice is available with regard to the format of your golf competition, your catering and even the services of our PGA Professional.

Withington

The Course The first hole is a moderately short but tricky par 3 of 156 yards followed by two longish par 4s. The par 5 fifth is considered one of the finest golf holes in the North West which requires a combination of both skill and accuracy. The daunting stroke index 1,14th is where Withington Golf Club begins its sting in the tail. The 16th is one of the longest par 5s in Cheshire and the 17th and 18th are two particularly good par 4s to finish.

Memberships available

No Joining Fee. Subscriptions frozen for 2010

Half Price Subscription for Ladies

There’s never been a better time for ladies to become a full member of Withington Golf Club. When two Ladies join at the same time, they pay just 50% each of the normal subscription.

Golf Societies in 2010

Golf Club

Book your Golf Society or Corporate Golf Day Monday to Thursday and receive free bacon sandwich & coffee on arrival. Please quote SGP10.

the way golf should be...

Greater Manchester Directory

Ashton-In-Makerfield Golf Club Garswood Park, Liverpool Road, Ashton-In-Makerfield, WN4 0YT Telephone: 01942 727267 secretary@aston-in-makerfieldgolfclub.co.uk www.ashton-in-makerfieldgolfclub.co.uk

Breightmet Golf Club Red Bridge, Ainsworth, Bolton, BL2 5PA Telephone: 01204 527381 secretary@breightmetgolfclub.co.uk www.breightmetgolfclub.co.uk

Deane Golf Club Off Junction Road, Deane, Bolton, BL3 4NS Telephone: 01204 61944 sandy@deanegolfclub.com www.deanegolfclub.co.uk

Ashton-Under-Lyne Golf Club Gorsey Way, Hurst, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 9HT Telephone: 0161 330 1537 info@ashtongolfclub.co.uk www.ashtongolfclub.co.uk

Brookdale Golf Club Medlock Road, Woodhouses, Failsworth, M35 9WQ Telephone: 0161 681 4534 Email enquiries via website www.brookdalegolf.co.uk

Denton Golf Club Manchester Road, Denton, M34 2NU Telephone: 0161 336 3218 info@dentongolfclub.com www.dentongolfclub.com

Blackley Golf Club Victoria Avenue, Manchester, M9 6HW0 Telephone: 0161 643 2980 office@blackley golfclub.com www.blackleygolfclub.com

Bury Golf Club Unsworth Hall, Blackford Bridge, Bury, BL9 9TJ Telephone: 0161 766 4897 secretary@burygolfclub.com www.burygolfclub.com

Didsbury Golf Club Ford Lane, Northenden, Manchester, M22 4NQ Telephone: 0161 998 9278 golf@didsburygolfclub.com www.didsburygolfclub.com

Bolton Golf Club Lostock Park, Bolton, BL6 4AJ Telephone: 01204 843067 secretary@boltongolfclub.co.uk www.boltongolfclub.co.uk

Castle Hawk Golf Club Chadwick Lane, Castleton, Rochdale, OL11 3BY Telephone: 01706 640841 Email enquiries via website www.castlehawk.co.uk

Dunscar Golf Club Longsworth Lane, Bromley Cross, Bolton, BL7 9QY Telephone: 01204 598228 dunscargolfclub@uk2.net www.dunscargolfclub.co.uk

Bolton Old Links Golf Club Charley Old Road, Monsterrat, Bolton, BL1 5SU Telephone: 01204 842307 secretary@boltonoldlinksgolfclub.co.uk www.boltonoldlinksgolfclub.co.uk

Chorlton-Cum-Hardy Golf Club Barlow Hall, Barlow Hall Road, M21 7JJ Telephone: 0161 881 3139 chorltongolf@hotmail.com www.chorltoncumhardygolfclub.co.uk

Ellesmere Golf Club Old Clough Lane, Worsley, Manchester, M28 7HZ Telephone: 0161 790 2122 honsec@ellesmeregolfclub.co.uk www.ellesmeregolfclub.co.uk

Boysnope Park Golf Club Liverpool Road, Barton Moss, Eccles, Manchester, M30 7RF Telephone: 0161 707 6125 boysnope@btconnect.com www.boysnopegolfclub.co.uk

Crompton & Royton Golf Club High Barn, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6RW Telephone: 0161 624 2154 secretary@cromptonandroytongolfclub.co.uk www.cromptonandroytongolfclub.co.uk

Fairfield Golf & Sailing Club Booth Road, Audenshaw, Manchester, M34 5GA Telephone: 0161 370 1641 manager@fairfieldgolfclub.co.uk www.fairfieldgolfclub.co.uk

Brackley Municipal Golf Club Bullows Road, Little Hulton, Worsley, M38 9TR Telephone: 0161 790 6076 secretary@blackleygolfclub.com www.blackleygolfclub.com

Davyhulme Park Golf Club Gleneagles Road, Davyhulme, M41 8SA Telephone: 0161 748 2260 info@davyhulmeparkgolfclub.co.uk www.davyhulmeparkgolfclub.co.uk

Flixton Golf Club Church Road, Flixton, Manchester, M41 6EP Telephone: 0161 748 2116 flixtongolfclub@mail.com www.flixtongolfclub.co.uk

Greater Manchester Directory

Great Lever & Farnsworth Golf Club Plodder Lane, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0LQ Telephone: 01204 656493 Email enquiries via website www.greatleverfarnworthgolfclub.co.uk

Horwich Golf Club Victoria Road, Horwich, BL6 5PH Telephone: 01204 696980 Email n/a Website n/a

North Manchester Golf Club Rhodes House, Manchester Old Road, Middleton, Manchester, M24 4PE Telephone: 0161 634 9033 tee@nmgc.co.uk www.northmanchestergolfclub.co.uk

Greenmount Golf Club Greenmount, Bury, BL8 4LH Telephone: 01204 883712 secretary@greenmountgolfclub.co.uk www.greenmountgolfclub.co.uk

Lobden Golf Club Whitworth, Rochdale, OL12 8XF Telephone: 01706 343228 golf@lobdengolfclub.co.uk www.lobdengolfclub.co.uk

Oldham Golf Club Lees New Road, Oldham, OL4 4EN Telephone: 0161 624 4986 Email n/a www.oldhamgolfclub.com

Haigh Hall Golf Club Haigh Hall Country Park, Haigh, Wigan, WN2 1PE Telephone: 01942 833337 secretray@haighhall-golfclub.co.uk haighhallgolfclub.users.btopenworld.com

Lowes Park Golf Club Hilltop, Lowes Road, Bury, BL9 6SU Telephone: 0161 764 1231 secretary@lowesparkgc.co.uk www.lowesparkgc.co.uk

Pennington Golf Club Pennington Country Park, Leigh, WN7 3PB Telephone: 01942 682852 info@penningtongolfclub.co.uk www.penningtongolfclub.co.uk

Hart Common Golf Club, Wigan Road, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 2BX Telephone: 01942 818445 secretary@hartcommongolfclub.co.uk www.hartcommongolfclub.co.uk

Manchester Golf Club Hopwood Cottage, Rochdale Road, Middleton, Manchester, M24 2QP Telephone: 0161 643 3202 secretary@mangc.co.uk www.mangc.co.uk

Pike Fold Golf Club Hills Lane, Pole Lane, Unsworth, Bury, BL9 8QP Telephone: 0161 766 3561 Email enquiries via website www.pikefold.co.uk

Harwood Golf Club Springfield, Roading Brook Road, Bolton, BL2 4JD Telephone: 01204 522878 info@harwoodgolfclub.co.uk www.harwoodgolfclub.co.uk

Manor Golf Club Kearsley, Bolton, BL4 8SF Telephone: 01204 701027 Email enquiries via website www.manorgolfclub.co.uk

Prestwich Golf Club Hilton Lane, Prestwich, M25 9XB Telephone: 0161 773 2544 prestwichgolf@btconnect.com www.prestwichgolf.co.uk

Heaton Park Golf Club Heaton Park, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 5SW Telephone: 0161 654 9899 secretary@heatonparkgolfclub.co.uk www.heatonparkgolfclub.co.uk

Marland Golf Club Springfield Park, Bolton Road, Rochdale, OL11 4RE Telephone: 01706 49801 Email n/a www.spgc.org

Regent Park (Bolton) Golf Club Links Road, Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL2 9XX Telephone: 01204 844170 regent.park@btopenworld.com www.regentparkgolfclub.co.uk

Hindley Hall Golf Club Hall Lane, Hindley, Wigan, WN2 2SQ Telephone: 01942 525020 Email enquiries via website www.hindleyhallgolfclub.co.uk

Northenden Golf Club Palatine Road, Manchester, M22 4FR Telephone: 0161 998 4738 manager@northendengolfclub.com www.northendedgolfclub.com

Rochdale Golf Club Edenfield Road, Bagslate, Rochdale, OL11 5YR Telephone: 01706 646024 Email enquiries via website www.rochdalegolfclub.co.uk

Greater Manchester Directory

Saddleworth Golf Club Mountain Ash, Uppermill, Oldham, OL3 6LT Telephone: 01457 873653 secretary@saddleworthgolfclub.org.uk www.saddleworthgolfclub.org.uk

Walmersley Golf Club Garrettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Close, Walmersley, Bury, BL9 6TE Telephone: 0161 764 1429 Email enquiries via website www.walmersleygolfclub.co.uk

Withington Golf Club 243 Palatine Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2UE Telephone: 0161 445 3912 secretary@withingtongolfclub.co.uk www.withingtongolfclub.co.uk

Sale Golf Club Sale Lodge, Golf Road, Sale, M33 2XU Telephone: 0161 973 3404 mail@salegolfclub.com www.salegolfclub.com

Werneth Golf Club Green Lane, Garden Surburb, Oldham, OL8 3AZ Telephone: 0161 624 1190 secretary@wernethgolfclub.co.uk www.wernethgolfclub.co.uk

Worsley Golf Club Stableford Avenue, Monton Green, Eccles, Manchester, M30 8AP Telephone: 0161 789 4202 secretary@worsleygolfclub.co.uk www.worsleygolfclub.co.uk

Stand Golf Club The Dales, Ashbourne Grove, Whitfield, Manchester, M45 7NL Telephone: 0161 766 2388 Email enquiries via website www.standgolfclub.co.uk

Westhoughton Golf Club Long Island, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 3BE Telephone: 01942 811085 Nonsec.wgc@btconnect.com www.westhoughtongolfclub.co.uk

Worsley (Marriott) Park Golf Club Worsley Park, Manchester, M28 2QT Telephone: 0161 975 2000 Email enquiries via website www.marriott.co.uk

Swinton Park Golf Club East Lancashire Road, Swinton, Manchester, M27 5LX Telephone: 0161 794 1785 info@spgolf.com www.spgolf.co.uk

Whitefield Golf Club Higher Lane, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 7EZ Telephone: 0161 351 2700 enquiries@whitefieldgolfclub.com www.whitefieldgolfclub.co.uk

Tunshill Golf Club Kiln Lane, Milnrow, Rochdale, OL16 3TS Telephone: 01706 342095 tunshillgolfclub@btconnect.com www.tunshillgolfclub.co.uk

Whittaker Golf Club Littleborough, OL5 0LH Telephone: 01706 378310 admin@whittakergolfclub.co.uk www.whittakergolfclub.co.uk

Turton Golf Club Wood End Farm, off Hospital Road, Bromley Cross, Bolton, BL7 9QD Telephone: 01204 852235 info@turtongolfclub.com www.turtongolfclub.com

Wigan Golf Club Arley Hall, Haigh, Wigan, WN1 2UH Telephone: 01257 421360 info@wigangolfclub.co.uk www.wigangolfclub.co.uk

Valynette Golf Club Grimeford Road, Blackrod, Bolton, BL6 5LD, Telephone: 01257 480485 Email n/a Website n/a

William Wroe Golf Club Pennybridge Lane, Flixton, Manchester, M31 3DL Telephone: 0161 748 8680 info@traffordleisure.co.uk www.traffordleisure.co.uk

Lancashire INTRODUCTION

Lancashire

With two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty full of dramatic scenery and quiet lanes, the summer months provide the perfect opportunity to explore Lancashire’s undiscovered countryside.

This Royal Duchy is full of ancient castles and picturesque stone-built villages. It’s also home to some of the country’s favourite seaside resorts, including Blackpool - Europe’s biggest and brightest, and the perfect destination for families. Make sure you work up an appetite too, as Lancashire is packed with award winning restaurants and inns with brilliant beer gardens. From Morecambe Bay potted shrimps to Bowland beef, Lancashire’s skilled chefs know how to make the most of the abundant store cupboard on their doorstep. Just six miles from the bright lights of Blackpool, Lytham and St Annes-on-Sea, Fylde, are worlds apart in both character and atmosphere.

The dual seaside towns are nestled along a picturesque stretch of coastline lined with well tended lawns, a boating lake and pretty parks. The rolling sand dunes of St Annes-onSea and the Ribble Estuary adjacent to Lytham make a safe haven for more than 250,000 migrating birds that flock here in winter. Some of the world’s most famous golf tournaments take place at Lancashire’s celebrated Links Courses, which stretch along the renowned Lancashire Golf Coast. Luckily for any golf enthusiasts out there, many of the best courses are also open to the public, so you can test your ability with the challenges that links courses are famous for – tricky winds, sand dunes, small, deep bunkers, uneven fairways and thick rough.

Lancashire INTRODUCTION

M-6

Area Map

Morcambe Lancaster

Fleetwood

Poulton-Le-Fylde

Colne

03 Nelson

02 05 10

Blackpool 11 Lytham

M-55

Burnley

07 04

Preston

Blackburn 08

M-65 Leyland

Eccleston

Chorley

06 M-61 M-6 Skelmersdale

01. Royal Lytham & St. Annes 02. Blackpool North Shore 03. Clitheroe 04. Fairhaven 05. Heronsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Reach 06. Hurlston Hall 07. Lytham Green Drive 08. Pleasington 09. Preston 10. Staining Lodge 11. St. Annes Old Links

Accrington

Open Championship Course Royal Lytham & St. Annes

Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club

Venue for The Open Championship in 2012 and the Walker Cup in 2015, Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club sits between the two seaside resorts of Lytham St Annes and Blackpool, and is one of the most unique venues to host the British Open. A truly magnificent course situated in the heart of a stunning Victorian estate, and one which locals are extremely proud of.

Open Championship Course Photographs by Alan C. Birch

The layout of Royal Lytham & St Annes has remained faithful to the original created by the clubs first professional, George Lowe, over a century ago. The only significant changes were made in 1919 when the club asked Harry Colt, the pre-eminent course designer of the time to make recommendations for improvement. Over the next four years he repositioned some of the greens and tees added numerous bunkers and lengthened the course. It is not a conventionally beautiful golf course, surrounded as it is by suburban housing and flanked by a railway line, but it has a charm all of its own. It is a Links course that is a long way from the sea yet close enough for the sea breeze to have an effect on one’s game and was aptly described by Bernard Darwin, the leading golf writer of the thirties, as ‘a beast of a course, but a just beast’. He went on to say that ‘no one could fail to be impressed by its difficulties, which sets a golfer just about as ruthless as an examination as any course of my acquaintance’. Ryder Cup Captain Mark James wrote “ And Lytham was set up magnificently in 2001 (for the Open Championship), perfect for the world’s premier golfing event. I do not think they could have prepared that course better. It was a perfect combination of width of fairways, length of rough and pace and quality

Royal Lytham & St. Annes

of greens. It should be used as a model for future Opens. Everyone who knows Lytham knew that it would be the one course where Tiger Woods would not have a big advantage because of the distance he hits, as there are relatively few holes where you can carry the trouble. Tiger could not tame it”. It is renowned as a course on which it is hard to scramble a good score, after all, there are

200 bunkers peppering the fairways and surrounding the greens. It may not be the longest of courses but it is one where careful thought and accurate shots are required. As Darwin wrote, ‘hit your ball to the right place and the way to the hole is open to you, but hit your ball to the wrong place and every kind of punishment, whether immediate or ultimate, will ensue’.

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club Links Gate, Lytham St Annes, FY8 3LQ Telephone: 01253 724206 bookings@royallytham.org www.royallytham.org 01. How to Find From the M55 direction of Airport Progress Way to Squires Gate Land (A5230) At 3rd set of Traffic Lights turn left for Lytham St Annes you are now on the A584 proceed past Pontins Holiday Centre, at the 3rd set of traffic lights (St Thomas Road) turn left over railway bridge, Royal Lytham situated on your right at next junction

88 Blackpool North Shore Golf Club Ltd Devonshire Rd, Blackpool, Lancashire FY2 ORD Telephone: 01253 352054 office@blackpoolnorthshoregolfclub.com www.blackpoolnorthshoregolfclub.com 01. How to Find From Blackpool Make your way on to the Promenade and head North. Go past the Tower and North Pier - two miles down there is a roundabout (the only one on the promenade) - continue along the Queens Promenade heading north and take the 7th right into Shaftesbury Avenue (Castle Casino on the corner). Go to the top of this road (about ½ mile) crossing all junctions, and turn left at the T junction into Devonshire Road. BNSGC is the first on the left BEFORE you go down the hill.

Blackpool North Shore GOLF CLUB

Just 500 yards from the North Promenade, this links course is relatively flat compared to most as it uses natures elements to make the rolling fairways and large greens testing to all handicappers. It has been used as an Open Championship qualifying course on more than one occasion and is a real gem of the north. The renowned H S Colt designed the course in 1920 with very few changes being made since to this entertaining track. Since 1920 the course has hosted the Great Britain match with the Rest of the World in 1963, the PGA Penfold Tournament in 1967 and a number of occasions has been a qualifying course when The Open has been held at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Currently it is the venue for the Lancashire PGA Championship.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6431 • 5878 • 5657

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Trolleys, Buggies, Lessons, Pro shop, Golf Teaching Academy, Sky Sports, WIFI, Function Room, Practice Ground, Buggy Storage

Signature Holes The three par-five holes are all in excess of 500 yards, with the 10th green being closely guarded by a pond. There are many testing par-4s which use the undulations to good effect and the par-3s all play long off the back tees. The green at the closing hole, just over 400 yards, is approached through a narrow neck of fairway and has bunkers to protect it on each side.

Pay & Play during the World Cup for £19 p.p. Twilight Green fee after 4pm £17. Membership offers available with free golf tuition included.

89 Clitheroe Golf Club Whalley Road, Clitheroe Lancashire BB7 1PP Telephone: 01200 422292 Pro Shop: 01200 424242 secretary@clitheroegolfclub.com www.clitheroegolfclub.com 02. How to Find

Photo by russbomb

From Preston Clitheroe Golf Club is situated just off the A59 1mile to the west of Clitheroe. When proceeding from Preston take the first exit to Clitheroe by turning left at the roundabout. Take the first road on the left and the Club will be seen on your right.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6504 • 6337 • 6124 • 5585

Societies Clitheroe Golf Club welcomes visitors either as Golf Club away days, company days or organised parties. The Club caters for visiting parties Monday to Friday (subject to availability) and can accommodate from small groups to large corporate golf days throughout the year. Contact the Secretary who can provide details of packages available to meet your needs.

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Function/Conference Room, Putting Green, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop The Open Championship Regional Qualifying Course 2010-2014

Clitheroe GOLF CLUB

Clitheroe is a beautiful 18 hole parkland golf course located in the heart of the Ribble Valley. Designed by the legendary Scottish designer, James Braid, the course has been on its present site since 1932. The course is a challenge to all levels of golfer with a premium on straight driving without being too demanding physically. The views from the course are quite spectacular, with Longridge Fells and Waddington providing the backdrop to Stonyhurst College and Mitton Church. To the east is Pendle Hill, scene of many witch trials so legend states. Clitheroe is a course of considerable prestige and regarded as one of the top 10 courses in Lancashire. The County Championship has been hosted three times in the last 29 years and twice in the last 8 years. At national level, the Club has hosted the EGU County Champions Tournament and most recently the Schools Team Championship.

by Michael Denker

90 Fairhaven Golf Club Oakwood Avenue, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire, FY8 4JU Telephone: 01253 736 741 info@fairhavengolfclub.co.uk www.fairhavengolfclub.co.uk 03. How to Find From the M6, exit junction 32 to M55/Blackpool. Leave M55 at junction 4, take the A583 exit. At roundabout, take the 1st exit onto A583/Preston New Rd, at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Lytham Saint Annes Way. At 2nd roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto School Road. Turn left at B5261 onto Common Edge Road at lights. At next traffic lights turn right at B5261 onto Blackpool Rd. Turn left, immediately after zebra crossing, at Forest Drive. Turn 1st left at Oakwood Ave. Turn 1st right into Fairhaven Golf Club.

Fairhaven GOLF CLUB

Recognised by the hierarchy of golf as one of the best courses in Northern England, Fairhaven has much to offer visiting golfers, whatever their handicap. Fairhaven is not only a beautiful place to play golf but fully lives up to its designation as a ‘Championship’ course originally designed by James Braid. Professional golf at Fairhaven started back in 1934 when the course played host to the ‘Penfold’ Tournament. The course is an unusual blend of links and parkland which is relatively flat. This makes it not too strenuous to walk around and allows complete vision of each hole from tee to green. It is consistently maintained and presented to the highest standard, presenting a fair challenge to golfers of all abilities, featuring the ‘risk & reward’ elements of negotiating the 118 deep revetted bunkers for which Fairhaven is famous.

18 holes, Par 73 (72 Blue, 75 Red) • 7015 • 6787 • 6562 • 6002

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Driving Range, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop, Function/Meeting Rooms

Signature Holes 1st, Par 5. “Hall Drive”. Listed and described in ‘Golf World’ as one of the top ten opening holes in Great Britain & Ireland. In many ways this past Open Championship final qualifying course’s opener is the perfect par 5. 18th, Par 5. “Kendbal’s Lodge” A classic finishing hole, it can reward the brave and punish the nervous. For long hitters a good line is over the right edge of the left-hand bunkers. This brings the green into range for a second shot.

Venue for European Seniors Team Championship 2010 Five Nations Tournament 2011 The World Junior Open 2012 “Top 10 Open Championship Qualifying Courses” Golf World “A real hidden gem” Peter Allis Please contact the Secretary on 01253 736741 or email secretary@fairhavengolfclub.co.uk

91 Herons’ Reach Golf Club East Park Drive Blackpool Lancashire FY3 8LL Telephone: 01253 838 866 Email enquiries via website www.devere.co.uk 04. How to Find Herons’ Reach is easy to find from the M6. Take junction 32 for the M55 and then exit at junction 4 for Blackpool North (A583). Beware of speed cameras on this 30mph dual carriageway. Follow the signs for Blackpool Zoo into South Park Drive and East Park Drive and keep an eye out for the hotel on the right.

Herons’ Reach

18 holes, Par 72 • 6628 • 6330 • 5680

Signature Holes Although just a Par 3, the course signature hole is the start of the final 3 holes that could make or break a great score. The 16th is 167 yards off the medal tees and normally played into the prevailing wind. There is out of bounds on the left and right and a lake that is situated down the entire left side of the hole. Two bunkers also guard the green, front right and mid left. The 40 yard long, undulating green slopes quite severely down towards the lake.

GOLF CLUB

Facilities: Memberships Available, Society Golf, Corporate Golf Days, Professional Tuition, USGA Standard, Practice Facility, PGA Golf Academy, 17 Bay Floodlit Driving Range, Chipping and Putting Greens, Buggy and Trolley Hire

Set amongst 236 acres of Parkland and lakes and designed in 1994 by former Ryder Cup player and current BBC golf commentator Peter Alliss and former Ryder cup player and course architect Clive Clark. A true test of golf. A par 72 with narrow fairways and USGA specification greens with subtle breaks and borrows. The course also boasts 12 water features and has three tee colours to challenge every level of player. Located just 4 miles from Blackpool’s town centre and the famous Blackpool Tower can be seen at various points of the course – with the best view when playing the 14th hole. Herons’ Reach has held numerous PGA North Region Championship events over the past decade, with previous winners such as Paul Eales and Phillip Archer. It will also see a return of the championship in 2010.

World Cup Fever Take Two Group Golf Offer Bacon rolls & Tea or Coffee on arrival, 18 holes of championship golf followed by a two course meal.

From £39pp (minimum 12 golfers).

To book directly please call: 01253 832512

92 Hurlston Hall Golf & Country Club Hurlston Lane, Scarisbrick, Lancashire L40 8HB Telephone: 01704 840 400 info@hurlstonhall.co.uk www.hurlstonhall.co.uk 05. How to Find From M6, exit at junction 26 onto M58 Skelmersdale/Liverpool. Exit junction 3 to St Helens/ Southport. At roundabout take 3rd exit onto A570/Rainford Road heading to Southport/Ormskirk. Turn left at A577/Park Road. Turn left at A577/Church Street. Continue onto A570/Southport Road, turn right at Hurlston Lane.

Hurlston Hall

18 holes · Par 72 (75 Ladies) • 6701 • 6540 • 6328 • 5882

Golf & Country Club

Classical golfing values underpin the philosophy of Hurlston Hall designer Donald Steel. His desire to blend his courses imperceptibly into the surrounding landscape is never more evident than here. The emphasis of this 18 hole, 135 acre, par 72 course is enjoyment. The strategic use of natural elevation, well placed traps and the finely sculptured contours of the greens present an inspiring challenge.

Facilities: Spa, Leisure Club, Bar, Restaurant, Spike Bar, Bistro, Floodlit Driving Range, Putting Green, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop

There is always the opportunity to card a personal best, however the slightest hint of a hook or slice could result in a battle for respectability. The beautifully manicured practice putting area and a driving range fully equipped with Power Tee© capability provide the perfect prematch limber up. To satisfy your undoubted appetite the clubhouse provides a diverse range of dining options with which to round out the perfect day of golf.

Signature Holes 10th, Par 4. ‘Hallowed Ground’. An extremely difficult par 4 with a pond down the right hand side of the fairway and then a pond in the middle of the fairway which you have to carry for your second shot. The green has two tiers with a huge bunker on the right hand side. One to remember! 15th, Par 4. ‘The Long Furlong’. From the tee the views are rather special. Down the gentle slope this fairway goes right and then left into the largest green on the course.

SPECIAL

CLASSIC

Coffee and Bacon Baps 18 Holes of Golf 2 Course Meal

Weekday £41.50 · Weekend £46.50

Weekday £48.00 · Weekend £52.00

CHALLENGE

PRESTIGE

Coffee and Bacon Baps 18 Holes of Golf 2 Course Meal

Coffee and Bacon Baps 9 Holes of Golf · Soup and Sandwiches, 18 Holes of Golf · 3 Course Dinner

Weekday £44 · Weekend £50

For further information telephone: 01704 840400 Email:info@hurlstonhall.co.uk. – www.hurlstonhall.co.uk

Weekday £52.00 · Weekend £57.00

93 Lytham Green Drive Golf Club Ballam Road, Lytham St Annes, FY8 4LE Telephone: 01253 737390 secretary@lythamgreendrive.co.uk www.lythamgreendrive.co.uk 06. How to Find Exit the M55 motorway at junction 4, signposted North Shore and A583. Keep left and move into the inside lane. Go straight over the roundabout (pass a B & Q store on the right), at the first set of traffic lights turn right, then immediately left down Peel Road. Continue until you reach a T-junction, turn right onto Ballam Road, and the club is 1½ miles on the left.

18 holes, Par 70 (74 Ladies) • 6817 • 6330 • 5680

Facilities: Driving range, Putting green, Golf Lessons, Buggies, Clubhouse, Restaurant Signature Holes The front nine is arguably easier than the back nine but the first hole could start the round off on the wrong foot. This 398-yard gentle dog-leg has an out of bounds on the right, trees to the left and a well-bunkered green with a pond at the rear. Two well-placed bunkers on the right of the fairway will catch any crooked drives. The thirteenth hole is named “Harold’s Beck” after the club’s famous professional and renowed club maker Harold Beck.

Lytham Green Drive GOLF CLUB

Laid out by 1902 Open Champion, Alex Herd, and re-designed by James Steer in the 1940’s, at first sight Lytham Green Drive is a pleasant treelined course, which although within a mile of the Irish Sea still retains parkland characteristics. The greens are small by modern standards, and very well bunkered. This parkland course also has links-like undulating fairways that can fool the eye when it comes to judging distance. Despite its modest length, the course demands a wide variety of golf shots and will make you use just about every club in your bag, with its assortment of different challenges and approaches to most greens. This formidable little test was officially recognised when it was used as a Final Qualifying course for the 1974, 1979 and 1988 Open Championships held at nearby Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club.

Lytham Green Drive is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Head Professional, Simon Williamson. Simon and his team would like to welcome Members, Guests and Visitors to the

Grand Re Opening of the Professional Shop at Lytham Green Drive on Saturday 5 June 2010 The fully refurbished shop will offer a first class professional service, stocking all leading brands at affordable prices.

94 Pleasington Golf Club Pleasington Blackburn Lancashire BB2 5JF Telephone: 01254 202 177 secretary-manager@pleasington-golf.co.uk www.pleasington-golf.co.uk 07. How to Find From M65 Junction 3 Follow signs to Blackburn. Turn right at traffic lights. Follow A674 for 1 mile. Take lane on left signposted to Pleasington Priory and Railway Station. Pleasington Golf Club is located on left hand side, at 400 yards.

Pleasington GolF Club

Formed in October 1890, Pleasington is without doubt one of the best tests of golf in the North-West of England, with a superb layout, being part heathland in character with some heather. This beautiful and picturesque golf course is within 2 miles of exit 3 of the M65 Motorway in Pleasington, a rural village area on the outskirts of Blackburn, with magnificent country views.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6562 • 6402 • 6177 • 5807

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Trolleys, Practice Ground, Lessons, Pro shop

The course is a regular venue for County matches and has hosted numerous prestigious competitions. These include top class amateur events and The Open Regional Qualifying returning annually again to Pleasington for 6 years from 2004. Pleasington can cater for the small, medium or large visiting party. Set in 140 acres of rolling wooded countryside and with many holes in individual valleys, this most picturesque of courses offers a tough challenge of golf, even to the best golfers.

4 ball special including soup & sandwiches. £130

Contact secretary on 01254 202177 or secretary-manager@pleasington-golf.co.uk

Signature Holes Hole 6, Par 4. “Priory”. This fine golfing hole is full of interest and character. One drives over rough ground to a sloping fairway. The green is guarded by deep bunkers in front and on both sides, whilst the ground slopes away behind. The approach shot must be well pitched up with plenty of stop. Except after a long drive it is a difficult shot and one prone to disappointment.

95 Preston Golf Club Fulwood Old Hall Fulwood Hall Lane Fulwood, Preston PR2 8DD Telephone: 01772 700011 Ext 1 secretary@prestongolfclub.com www.prestongolfclub.com 08. How to Find Leave M6 at junction J31 in direction PRESTON. From the roundabout leave at the 1st exit onto Preston New Road (A59). Enter the roundabout and turn right by leaving at the 2nd exit onto Blackpool Road (A5085). Leave Blackpool Road (A5085) and turn right into Sir Tom Finney Way (B6241). Turn left into Watling Street Road. Turn right into Duchy Avenue. Turn right into Fulwood Hall Lane. Proceed along Fulwood Hall Lane, past Preston Barracks on the right. Turn left into Preston Golf Club.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6312 • 6029 • 5378

Signature Holes The 17th is a truly remarkable hole and a real test of the golfing brain. An elevated tee provides excellent views of the first 300 yards. With the fairway bending left to right and sloping gently the same way, care must be taken to find the left of the fairway to avoid being blocked out. Most golfers can swing their entire bag at the second shot, but “long hitters” be warned, water is looming! Once past the fairway cross bunker there is 198 yards to the green. Lay up or go for it?

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Function/Conference Room, Putting Green, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop, Video room for all players, Junior academy with after school classes and holiday activities

Preston GOLF CLUB

Preston Golf Club, a must play Lancashire gem, is situated in the Fulwood District of Preston. It was established in 1892 and modified by famous designers such as James Braid, Harry Vardon, Alistair Mackenzie and Sandy Herd over the years. It is a very testing parkland course where water hazards, tree-lined fairways and about 75 bunkers provide many challenges to play to your handicap. Added to this are excellent dining and drinking facilities in the Clubhouse, a very well-stocked pro’ shop and a 16 bay, 250 yard flood-lit driving range where you can warm up before beginning your round.

PRESTON GOLF CLUB FESTIVAL WEEK 22nd – 27th AUGUST 2010 (Mixed, Seniors 50+, Seniors 55+, Men’s Team,) New for this year Men’s and Ladies Individual Singles Medal Competition Contact the Secretary on 01772 700011 or visit our website www.prestongolfclub.com

96 Staining Lodge Golf Course Chain Lane, Staining Blackpool FY3 0DE Telephone: 01253 891336 enquiries@staininglodge.co.uk www.staininglodge.co.uk 09. How to Find From the M55. Turn off at junction 4. Follow signs for Blackpool along Preston New Road. Turn right at the second set of lights. Follow Mythop Lane for half a mile then turn sharp left into Chain Lane. After half a mile the Golf Course is on your right.

Staining Lodge Golf COURSE

Designed by golf course architect David Griffiths, this full length 18 hole, par 72 course is set in approximately 160 acres of picturesque Fylde countryside, and is within easy reach of Lytham, St Annes, Blackpool, Thornton-Cleveleys and Fleetwood. The course also includes a 300 yard practice ground.

18 holes, Par 72 • 6492 • 6159 • 5451

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Buggies, Trolleys, Driving range, Lessons, Pro shop

Staining Lodge clubhouse is an elegant and modern space with a bar and restaurant serving a variety of beverages and hot and cold food using fresh local produce. The clubhouse is perfect for those wanting a quick snack, a three course meal or a refreshing drink and the patio offers a beautiful view of the course.

Signature Holes The clubhouse is a stylish and welcoming place to have a drink or food with a great aspect over the golf course and is an ideal setting for a wedding reception, family celebration or any other event which requires a pleasant environment.

Green Fees: Weekday Adults £18 • OAP £17 • Weekend £20 Society / Group discounts available: Weekend Package: Bacon Barm, Coffee/Tea, 18 holes of golf = £22.50 Soup & Sandwiches, 18 holes of golf = £23.95 2 course meal, 18 holes of golf = £28.50 3 course meal, 18 holes of golf = £31.50 Tailor your own package, prices on request • Reduced rates Monday to Friday

97 St Anne’s Old Links Golf Club Ltd Highbury Road East St Anne’s On Sea Lancashire FY8 2LD Telephone: 01253 723 597 secretary@stannesoldlinks.com www.stannesoldlinks.com 10. How to Find From the M55 direction of Airport Progress Way to Squires Gate Lane (A5230) At 3rd set of Traffic Lights turn left for Lytham St Annes you are now on the A584. Take the 3rd road on the left (Highbury Road), over the Railway Bridge, Old Links Golf Club is situated immediately on your left.

18 holes, Par 72 • 6684 • 6410 • 6177

Signature Hole Every hole has its own characteristics, of which the 9th, par 3, 173 yards is perhaps the best known. Bobby Jones, when playing here (and winning) in the 1926 Open, was so impressed with this hole that, according to reports of the day, took detailed measurements in order to reproduce a hole of similar nature in America. The green is 46 yards long and 15 yards at its widest point, surrounded by sand dunes and eight pot bunkers.

Facilities: Clubhouse with restaurant, bars, snooker and full conference facilities. Large practice ground, chipping and putting green, Golf Shop and Studio, Buggies and Trollies for hire. The Open Championship Final Qualifying Course 2012

St. Annes Old Links GOLF CLUB

Since 1901, St Annes Old Links Golf Club has offered the purest of links experiences, its fairways nestled between dunes and subject to the unpredictable weather. As early as 1910, Golf Gossip spoke of the club’s “atmosphere of hospitality” - and little has changed to this day. The quintessential links course has seen action as an Open Qualifying Course for Royal Lytham since 1926 and has also staged tournaments such as the English Ladies Amateur Championship. Golfers of all levels will be put to the test by the westerly winds, as well as four ponds which influence six of the course’s holes. St Annes Old Links is a demanding course and as traditional and historic as they come. The Professional shop at St Annes Old Links Golf Club is widely regarded as one of the best stocked golf outlets in the North West.

Summer 4 Ball Special £200 including Breakfast or Dish of the Day 11.00am-12noon Summer Society Full Day £70 per person including Coffee & Biscuits on arrival 9 holes golf, Golfers Lunch, 18 holes golf, 3 course Dinner after play. Min Nos 12 golfers. Friday rate £80 per person.

Summer Society Half Day £60 per person including Hot drink on arrival, 18 holes and 3 course Dinner after play. Minimum numbers 12 golfers

St Annes Old Links Golf Club

Green Fees: Mon-Thurs £50 am / £45 pm Friday £55am / £50 pm Day Ticket: Mon-Thurs £60. Friday £65 When booking, please quote reference GG2

St Anne’s Old Links Golf Club Ltd. Highbury Road East, St Anne’s On Sea, Lancashire FY8 2LD · Tel: 01253 723 597 · secretary@stannesoldlinks.com · www.stannesoldlinks.com

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Lancashire Directory

Accrington & District Golf Club West End, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, BB5 4LS 01254 232734 info@accringtongolfclub.com www.accringtongolfclub.com

Blackpool Park Golf Club North Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8LS 01253 397916 secretary@blackpoolparkgc.co.uk www.blackpoolparkgc.co.uk

Dean Wood Golf Club Lafford Lane, Up Holland, Skelmersdale, WN8 0QZ 01695 622219 secretary@deanwoodgolfclub.co.uk www.deanwoodgolfclub.co.uk

Ashton & Lea Golf Club Tudor Avenue, Blackpool Road, Lea, Preston, PR4 0XA 01772 726480 info@ashtonleagolfclub.co.uk www.ashtonleagolfclub.co.uk

Burnley Golf Club Glen View, Burnley, BB11 3RW 01282 421045 Email n/a www.burnleygolfclub.org.uk

De Vere Herons Reach Golf Club East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8LL 01253 832505 golf@devere.co.uk www.devere.co.uk

Bacup Golf Club Maden Road, Bankside Lane, Bacup, OL13 8HN 01706 873170 secretary@bacupgolfclub.co.uk www.bacupgolfclub.co.uk

Charnock Richard Golf Club Preston Road, Charnock Richard, near Chorley, PR8 5LE 01257 470707 Email n/a www.crgcc.co.uk

Duxbury Park Golf Club Duxbury Hall Road, Duxbury Park, Chorley, PR7 4AS 01257 265380 customerservice@glendale-services.co.uk www.glendale-golf.com

Baxenden & District Golf Club Wooley Lane, Baxenden, Accrington, BB5 2EA 01254 234555 baxgolf@hotmail.com www.baxendengolf.co.uk

Chorley Golf Club Hall O’ Th’ Hill, Heath Charnock, Chorley, PR6 9HX 01257 480263 secretary@chorleygolfclub.freeserve.co.uk www.chorleygolfclub.co.uk

Fairhaven Golf Club Lytham Hall Park, Ansdell, Lytham St Annes, FY8 4JU 01253 736741 secretary@fairhavengolfclub.co.uk www.farhavengolfclub.co.uk

Beacon Park Golf Club Beacon Lane, Dalton, Up Holland, WN8 7RU 01695 627500 proshop@beaconparkgolf.com www.beaconparkgolf.com

Clitheroe Golf Club Whalley Road, Clitheroe, BB7 1PP 01200 422618 secretary@clitheroegolfclub.com www.clitheroegolfclub.com

Fishwick Hall Golf Club Glenluce Drive, Farringdon Park, Preston, PR1 5TD 01772 798300 fishwickhallgolfclub@supanet.co.uk www.fishwickhallgolfclub.co.uk

Blackburn Golf Club Bearwood Brow, Blackburn, BB2 7AX 01254 51122 info@blackburngolfclub.com www.blackburngolfclub.com

Colne Golf Club Law Farm, Skipton Old Road, Colne, BB8 7EB 01282 863391 colnegolfclub@hotmail.co.uk www.colnegolfclub.com

Fleetwood Golf Club Golf House, Princes Way, Fleetwood, FY7 8AF 01253 873114 secretary@fleetwoodgolfclub.org.uk www.fleetwoodgolfclub.org.uk

Blackpool North Shore Golf Club Devonshire Road, Blackpool, FY2 0RD 01253 351017 office@blackpoolnorthshoregolfclub.com www.blackpoolnorthshoregolfclub.com

Darwen Golf Club Winter Hill, Darwen, BB3 0LB 01254 701287 admin@darwengolfclub.com www.darwengolfclub.com

Garstang Country Hotel & Golf Club Bowgreave, Garstang, PR3 1YE 01995 600100 reception@ghgc.co.uk www.garstanghotelandgolf.com

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Lancashire Directory

De Vere Herons Reach Golf Club

Gathurst Golf Club Miles Lane, Shevington, Wigan, WN6 8EW 01257 252861 secretary@gathurstgolfclub.ltd.uk www.gathurstgolfclub.co.uk

Knott End Golf Club Wyreside, Poulton-Le-Fylde, FY6 0AA 01253 810254 louise@knottendgolfclub.com www. knottendgolfclub.com

Marsden Park Golf Club Townhouse Road, Nelson, BB9 8DG 01282 661912 Email n/a www.marsdenparkgolfclub.co.uk

Ghyll Golf Club Ghyll Brow, Barnoldswick, Colne, BB8 6JH 01282 842466 secretary@ghyllgc.co.uk www.ghyllgc.co.uk

Lancaster Golf Club Ashton Hall, Ashton-WithStodday, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ 01524 752090 enquiries@lancastergc.co.uk www.lancastergc.co.uk

Morecambe Golf Club Bare, Morecambe, LA4 6AJ 01524 418050 secretary@morecambegolfclub.com www.morecambegolfclub.com

Great Harwood Golf Club Harwood Bar, Great Harwood, BB6 7TE 01254 884391 Email n/a www.greatharwoodgolfclub.co.uk

Lansil Golf Club Caton Road, Lancaster, LA4 3PE 01524 39269 secretary@lansilgolfclub.org.uk www.lansilgolfclub.org.uk

Mytton Fold Golf Club Whalley Rd, Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8AB 01254 240662 golfshop@myttonfold.co.uk www.myttonfold.co.uk

Green Haworth Golf Club Green Haworth, Accrington, BB5 3SL 01254 237580 enquiries@greenhaworthgolfclub.co.uk www.greenhaworthgolfclub.co.uk

Lobden Golf Club Whitworth, Lancashire 01706 343228 golf@lobdengolfclub.co.uk www.lobdengolfclub.co.uk

Nelson Golf Club Kings Causeway, Brierfieid, Nelson, BB9 0EU 01282 614583 info@nelsongolfclub.co.uk www.nelsongolfclub.co.uk

Heysham Golf Club Trumacar Park, Middleton Road, Heysham, Morecambe, LA23 3JH 01524 851011 secretary@heyshamgolfclub.co.uk www.heyshamgolfclub.co.uk

Leyland Golf Club Wigan Road, Leyland, PR5 2UD 01772 436457 manager@leylandgolfclub.co.uk www.leylandgolfclub.co.uk

Hurlston Hall Golf Club Hurlston Lane, Southport Road, Scarisbrick, LA40 8JD 01704 840400 membership@hurlstonhall.co.uk www.hurlstonhall.co.uk

Longridge Golf Club Fell Barn, Jeffrey Hill, Longridge, Preston, PR3 2TU 01772 783291 secretary@longridgegolfclub.co.uk www.longridgegolfclub.co.uk

Ingol Golf Club Tanterton Hall Road, Ingol, Preston, PR7 7BY 01772 734556 Email n/a www.ingolgolfclub.co.uk

Lytham Green Drive Golf Club Ballam Road, Lytham, FY8 4LE 01253 734782 secretary@lythamgreendrive.co.uk www.lythamgreendrive.co.uk

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Lancashire Directory

De Vere Herons Reach Golf Club

Ormskirk Golf Club Cranes Lane, Lathom, Ormskirk, L40 5UJ 01695 572112 mail@ormskirkgolfclub.com www.ormskirkgolfclub.com

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club Links Gate, Lytham St Annes, FY8 3LQ 01253 724206 bookings@royallytham.org www.royallytham.org

Towneley Golf Club Towneley Park, Todmorden Road, Burnley, BB11 3ED 01282 451636 secretary@towneleygolfclub.co.uk www.towneleygolfclub.co.uk

Penwortham Golf Club Blundell Lane, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0AX 01772 744630 secretary@penworthamgc.co.uk www.penworthamgc.co.uk

Shaw Hill Hotel G & C C Preston Road, Whittle-Le-Woods, Chorley, PR6 7PP 01257 269221 info@shaw-hill.co.uk www.shaw-hill.co.uk

Whalley Golf Club Long Leese Barn, Clerkhill, Whalley, Blackburn, BB7 9DR 01254 822236 secretary@whalleygolfclub.com www.whalleygolfclub.com

Pleasington Golf Club Pleasington, Blackburn, BB2 5JF 01254 202177 secretarymanager@pleasingtongolf.co.uk www.pleasington-golf.co.uk

Silverdale (Carnforth) Golf Club Redbridge Lane, Silverdale, Carnforth, LA5 0SP 01524 701300 info@silverdalegolfclub.co.uk www.silverdalegolfclub.co.uk

Wilpshire Golf Club 72 Whalley Road, Wilpshire, Blackburn, BB1 9LF 01254 248260 admin@wilpshiregolfclub.co.uk www.wilpshiregolfclub.co.uk

Poulton-Le-Fylde Golf Club Myrtle Farm, Breck Road, Poulton-Le-Fylde, FY6 7HJ 01253 892444 greenwood-golf@hotmail.co.uk www.poultonlefyldegolfclub.co.uk

Staininglodge Golf Course Chain Lane, Staining, Blackpool, FY3 0DE 01253 891336 enquiries@staininglodge.co.uk www.staininglodge.co.uk

Preston Golf Club Fulwood Hall Lane, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 4DD 01772 700011 secretary@prestongolfclub.com www.prestongolfclub.com

Standish Court Golf Club Rectory Lane, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0XD 01257 425777 golfprostu@hotmail.com www.standishgolf.co.uk

Rishton Golf Club Eachill Links, Hawthorn Drive, Rishton, BB1 4HG 01254 884442 Rishtongolfclub.co.uk www.rishtongolfclub.co.uk

St. Annes Old Links Highbury Road, Lytham St Annes, FY8 2LD 01253 723597 secretary@stannesoldlinks.com www.stannesoldlinks.com

Rossendale Golf Club Ewood Lane, Head Haslingden, Rossendale, BB4 6LH 01706 831339 admin@rossendalegolfclub.net www.rossendalegolfclub.net

Stonyhurst Park Golf Club Stonyhurst, Hurst Green, Blackburn, BB6 9QB 01254 826478 Email n/a www.stonyhurstpark.co.uk

102

Merseyside INTRODUCTION

Merseyside Merseyside comprises of the boroughs of Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, Sefton and St Helens, and as the name suggests straddles the River Mersey. The county has been the birthplace of many famous names throughout its history, with Liverpool’s bustling port at its heart Merseyside was always a cosmopolitan place for both artist and artisan. From TV legends Cilla Black and Tom Baker, to sporting heroes like Wayne Rooney and Stephen Gerrard, the area has long been a cultural hotbed and no-one typifies this more than its biggest export: The Beatles. To this day a source for much of the area’s tourism,

The Beatles went from humble beginnings at The Cavern Club to global acclaim in the 60’s and many favourite spots for tourists today owe their fame to The Fab Four: the original Cavern was demolished in the 70’s but an exact replica was built in 1984 even using some of the bricks from its predecessor and this houses The Beatles museum; Strawberry Fields cemetery also lies within the city. Historically Merseyside has grown from a rural community to a bustling urban sprawl, and much of this growth is down to the county’s docks. The city of Liverpool, Birkenhead and Bootle docks were all

massively enriched by the slave-trade in the 18th century and by ship-building until more recent times, as well as being the first step on the road to America in the 19th and early 20th centuries: the ill-fated Titanic was constructed in Liverpool’s ship-yards. With Liverpool’s Capital of Culture status the area has seen large investment recently, which can only add to its draw for tourists; although a county that can boast the biggest band in history, two of the nation’s biggest football clubs, the world’s largest Anglican cathedral, Tate Liverpool and Wayne Rooney probably needs little help.

103

Merseyside INTRODUCTION

01. Royal Birkdale 02. Royal Liverpool 03. Caldy 04. Eccleston Park 05. Formby Hall 06. Haydock Park 07. Hesketh 08. Hillside 09. Sothport & Ainsdale 10. West Derby 11. Wirral Ladies

Area Map 07 Southport 01 08 09

05 M-58

M-6

Ashton-in-Makerfield

Crosby

06 Knowsley

Bootle

Newton-le-Willows

04 10

Wallasey

St. Helens

M-6

M-57

Liverpool

Birkenhead 02

Widness

Ellesmere Port M-53

M-62

Prescot

104

Open Championship Course Royal Birkdale

Royal Birkdale

Golf Club

Royal Birkdale, one of Britain’s finest golf clubs has been voted the No 1 course in England and is among the best in the World. Having previously hosted two Ryder Cups, the Walker and Curtis Cups, the Women’s British Open and on nine occasions the Open Championship, they will be hosting the RICOH Women’s British Open again in 2010.

105

Open Championship Course Photographs by Alan C. Birch

Royal Birkdale

The stunning coastal resort of Southport is host to the finest links courses in England. This is the home of Royal Birkdale, for many golfers, quite simply, the best of all the great golf courses to have staged The Open Championship. Among the many great courses along the Northwest coast, Royal Birkdale stands out as a perfect example of links golf. It is currently voted by Golf Monthly as the best course in England and the 4th best course in the British Isle and in a survey commissioned by Planet Golf for Golfing Digest it was listed as the 18th best courses outside of the United States.

The growing stature of the club was acknowledged in 1951 when the King gave his permission for the club to be known as The Royal Birkdale Golf Club. The course has been the stage for many great golf championships including the Amateur Championship, the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup, the Ryder Cup and the Women’s British Open. On nine occasions the greatest championship, The Open, has been played here, the most recent in 2008. In 2005, the club was the venue for both the Amateur Championship and the Women’s British Open which Royal Birkdale will host again in 2010.

The Club was formed in 1889, starting life as a nine hole course. In 1897 the decision was taken to move to Birkdale Hills where an 18 hole course was constructed. The course underwent considerable changes in the mid 1930’s when the current Clubhouse was built. There was further restructuring in the 1960’s and in the early 1990’s all of the greens were reconstructed and redesigned. In preparation for the Open Championship in 2008 and as a part of the Club’s on going improvement there have been some significant alterations carried out from 2005 to 2007 which have enabled the Club to retain its position as one of the finest links courses.

The Championship Course now measures 7.180 yards. Visitors generally play the yellow tees which at 6.381 yards is a test in itself even for the most accomplished golfer. The wind, whistling down the fairways when it comes from the sea, adds to the challenge. Each hole runs through a landscape of high dunes, the fairways are flat and fair and from the tee there is generally a clear view of the task ahead. Each hole is memorable, from The Open Championship tee the 13th measure 498 yards, one of the longest par 4s in championship golf.

Even in the early days, the Birkdale Club was forward-thinking, with the members voting in favour of allowing ladies to use the links from 1889. Indeed, one of the first tournaments held was the 1909 Ladies’ British Open Match play Championship.

Visitors to the course can walk in the footsteps of many of golf’s legends, among them Open Winners, Peter Thomson, a double winner at Royal Birkdale, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller and Tom Watson. On the 16th hole, a plaque commemorates Arnold Palmer’s great shot in appalling weather conditions, on the way to his Open win 1961.

The clubhouse was designed to resemble an Ocean Liner cruising through the sand hills of Birkdale. It too has undergone significant changes over the years but it has retained its distinctive art-deco style. The balconies and handrails have been replaced with enormous bay window in providing spectacular views of the 18th green and it is the only place to be on the last afternoon of The Open.

Royal Birkdale Golf Club Waterloo Road, Birkdale, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2LX Telephone: 01704 568857 secretary@royalbirkdale.com www.royalbirkdale.com 01. How to Find The club is one and half miles south of Southport town centre on the A565 - Waterloo Road between Southport and Ainsdale.Drivers approaching from the North should use the M6, exit at Junction 29, Leyland, to the A582, A59 and A565. Drivers from the South, via the M6, M62, M57 and A5147. Traffic from Central Lancashire should use the M58, exit at Junction 3, Rainford, to the A570. Traffic from Wales and the Wirral should use the M53, Queensway Tunnel to the A565.

106

Open Championship Course ROYAL LIVERPOOL

Royal Liverpool Golf Club

The Hoylake links can be, by turns, beautiful, uplifting, awe inspiring and, on occasion, soul-destroying. They were created to be a demanding test of golf and remain so, and they lie at the very heart of the history and development of golf in Great Britain.

107

Open Championship Course Photographs by Alan C. Birch

Built in 1869, on what was then the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, Hoylake is the oldest of all the English seaside courses with the exception of Westward Ho! in Devon, which was established just a few years earlier. Robert Chambers and George Morris were commissioned to lay out the original Hoylake course, which was extended to 18 holes in 1871. This was also the year in which the Club was granted its Royal designation thanks to the patronage of His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught. For the first seven years of its life the land still performed its original function, doubling as a golf course and a horse racing track - indeed, echoes of this heritage can be found today in the names of the first and eighteenth holes, Course and Stand, while the original saddling bell still hangs in the club house. Once the horses had been dispatched to pastures new Hoylake began to take its place in the history of golf in general and of the amateur game in particular. In 1885 the links hosted the first Amateur Championship; in 1902 the first international match between England and Scotland, later to become the Home Internationals; and, in 1921, the first international match between Great Britain and the United States of America, which we now know as The Walker Cup. In fact, it is Royal Liverpool Golf Club’s contribution to the amateur game that has set it apart from all other clubs in England. Although, at the end of the nineteenth century, it was the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews that took on the role of the governing body in golf as the game developed, it was at Hoylake that the rules of amateur status were laid down. Ironically it was John Ball, who was to become the Club’s greatest player, who almost fell foul of them. In 1878, when he was just sixteen years old, Ball had finished tied for 4th place in the Open Championship with Bob Martin of St Andrews. Although Ball lost the play-off for fourth place the following day there was still a money prize due to him from the purse. The sum involved was only one pound but John Morris advised the young John Ball to put the money in his pocket. It was this incident, recalled seven years later, that

ROYAL LIVERPOOL

came back to haunt Ball when he wanted to enter the Amateur Championship. Ball had accepted prize money and therefore was technically a “professional”. The rules were, however, diplomatically but conveniently adjusted to enable Ball to play. John Ball’s influence on amateur golf, together with that of Harold Hilton who was also a Hoylake player, cannot be over emphasised. Between them they dominated the amateur game of that era and the pair was also a major influence on the professional game, each of them winning the Open Championship as amateurs. John Ball won the Amateur Championship eight times between l888 and l9l2 and was runner-up twice. He won the Open Championship in l890, the first Englishman and the first amateur to do so, and also took the amateur title the same year. Harold Hilton’s record was just as impressive. He won the Open twice, in l892 (the first year the Open was played over 72 holes) and again five years later, making him the only amateur apart from John Ball and Bobby Jones to win the title. His victory at Hoylake in 1897 was marked 100 years later by the creation of a new, annual Harold Hilton Medal tournament open to amateur golfers aged 30 or more and handicap 5 or less. Hilton also won the Amateur Championship four times, was runner-up on three occasions and won the US Amateur Championship in 1911, the year in which he also held the British title. The man was obviously no slacker - in the same year he still found time to become the first editor of the new Golf Monthly magazine. No history of Hoylake would be complete without mention of the legendary Bobby Jones. In 1930 the club was privileged to host his winning of the Open Championship, a victory that would become the second leg of his remarkable Grand Slam - the winning in the same year of the Amateur and Open Championships of both Great Britain and the United States. Shortly afterwards, a mere twenty-eight years old, Bobby Jones found himself with no golfing peaks left to conquer and he retired from the game.

Much time has passed since then, but the Hoylake links, despite their at first glance flat and benign appearance, are still very much among the toughest and most demanding tests of golf. Work is currently ongoing and almost finished on the links to improve the playability of the same for players of all standards. This work is being carried out under the direction of the eminent Architect Dr. Martin Hawtree. In July 2006 the fabled mighty winds did not blow. But there was no denying that another mighty champion was born... in the shape of one Eldrick “Tiger” Woods.

Royal Liverpool Golf Club Meols Drive, Hoylake Wirral CH47 4AL Telephone: 0151 632 3101 bookings@royal-liverpool-golf.com www.royal-liverpool-golf.com 02. How to Find Royal Liverpool Golf Club is situated on Meols Drive (A540) between Hoylake and West Kirby, 10 minutes from Junction 2 of the M53 and less than 1 hour from Manchester International Airport. Leave M53 at Junction 2, follow A551 to Moreton and then A553 to Hoylake. Continue straight ahead at the roundabout in Hoylake (railway station is on the left) and the Club is 300 yards along Meols Drive on the right.

108 Caldy Golf Club Limited Links Hey Road Caldy, Wirral Merseyside CH48 1NB Telephone: 0151 625 5660 golfcaldygc@btconnect.com www.caldygolfclub.co.uk 03. How to Find Exit Jct. 2 from the M53 and follow the Upton By-pass (A5027) onto Frankby Road (B5139) before turning left onto Hillbark Road (B5140). Turn left again onto Montgomery Hill (B5141), this road leads onto Caldy Road (B5140). Then turn left onto Croft Drive East and left again onto Links Hey Road.

Caldy GOLF CLUB

18 holes, Par 72 • 6707 • 6324 • 5798

Playing at Caldy is one of the most rewarding golfing experiences one can enjoy on the beautiful Wirral Peninsula. Golfers from the UK and abroad are always welcome to share the Club’s challenging course, vast Practice Ground and Excellent Clubhouse facilities.

Facilities: 2 Lounges, Bar, Restaurant, Snooker Room, Driving Range, Putting Green, Practice Bunker, Buggies, Trolleys, Club Hire, Pro Shop

From the often breezy cliff top holes, breathtaking views can be enjoyed over the River Dee Estuary towards the three Hilbre Islands and the mountains and coastline of Wales. In contrast, the heathland inner holes offer a more tranquil rural vista towards Thurstaston Hill and adjacent farmland. This glorious combination of links and inland holes make for a memorable game for golfers of all standards.

Signature Holes Hole 3. Par 4, “Sands of Dee”: A superb dog-leg right. The fairway sweeps around two sets of bunkers well placed to catch both short and long hitters. A good tee shot will leave a demanding approach to a well guarded green and a stunning backdrop over the Dee Estuary. Hole 6. Par 4, “Donga”: An extremely challenging hole, the last one along the cliff edge. Rough and out of bounds over the cliff on the left make the tee shot tight.

Summer Mondays Only 1st April - 31st October Full round and all day breakfast 4 balls only £160.00 per 4 ball

1907

Summer Sunday Afternoon 1st April - 31st October (restricted times) Full round £160.00 per 4 ball tee time

Winter Warmer 1st November - 31st March (Mondays and Thursdays) 18 holes and an all day breakfast only £27.50 pp

109 Eccleston Park Golf Club Rainhill Road, Rainhill Prescot, Merseyside L35 4PG Telephone: 0151 493 0033 Fax: 0151 493 0044 ecclestonpark@crown-golf.co.uk www.ecclestonparkgolf.co.uk 04. How to Find From The North: From the A58 take the B5413 at the traffic lights signposted ‘Thatto Heath’. Follow the road through Thatto Heath and Nutgrove. Go across the mini roundabout, the road curves to the left and Eccleston Park Golf Club is on the right hand side 150 yards on. From The South: Take M62 and exit at Junction 7. Then take the exit for St Helens, at the second roundabout take the 1st exit onto Elton Head Road, at the end of this road you will come to a T junction, turn right and the golf club is on the left hand side after 200yds.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6477 • 6222 • 5977

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop Signature Holes Our signature hole is probably the 15th. A scenic par 4 dogleg left where you have the choice off the tee to either lay up with a long iron or to take on the water and drive over the corner. 16th. A tough par 3 usually played into the prevailing wind making club selection important.

Eccleston Park GOLF CLUB

Eccleston Park is an 18 hole parkland course providing the perfect location for golf and events of all kinds, and offers excellent value for money. After significant re-development, the course is now a testing 6477 yard par 71. It is reasonably flat and therefore easy going on all golfers, especially the more senior player. The water features and fairway bunkers make this course a challenging test for golfers of all abilities. The 7th hole has been extended to a par 5 measuring 491 yards, and the 18th has been reshaped and lengthened to make a dog-leg par 4 closing hole. The former 19th century clubhouse has been redeveloped to combine the original welcoming character of yesteryear, with all the advantages of state-of-the art facilities for functions and conferences. Adjacent to the course is the woodland trust, an area set aside for people to get out and enjoy the woodlands that surround the course.

Contact the club for our latest offer of the month. Telephone 0151 493 0044

110 Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa Southport Old Road Southport Merseyside L37 OAB Telephone: 01704 875699 Email enquiries via website www.formbyhallgolfresort.co.uk 05. How to Find From M62: Exit towards M57/ Southport. Turn left at A5036/ Dunnings Bridge Road. Turn right at A5207/Copy Lane. Take 2nd right at A5207/ Northern Perimeter Rd, turn right at Lydiate Lane and right again at A565/Park View. At roundabout, take 3rd exit onto Southport Old Road. From Liverpool: (14 miles) Head West on A580 towards A59/Byrom Street. Turn left at Leeds Street. Turn right at A565/Great Howard Street. Turn right at A565/ The Bypass. Take 3rd exit at roundabout to Southport Old Road.

Formby Hall GOLF RESORT & SPA

18 holes, Par 72 • 7081 • 6330 • 5680

Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa, opened in 1996, is one of the newest golf facilities on England’s Golf Coast but has already built an enviable reputation, for its two golf courses, its state-of-the-art PGA National Golf Academy and its luxurious 4-star hotel. Hewn from marshland, six miles south of Southport and at the heart of England’s Golf Coast.

Facilities: 4 star Hotel & Spa, Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar, 9 hole par 3 course, PGA Golf Academy, Driving Range, Putting Greens, Short Game Area, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Club Fitting, Pro shop

Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa features a fine 18hole course and a challenging 9-hole course which is ideal for experienced golfers and beginners alike. The 18-hole course hosted two events on the Challenge Tour, the 2004 ADT English Seniors’ Open, and in 2009 staged its first EuroPro Tour event. Formby Hall’s 18-hole lay-out features a series of testing holes protected by water and well-placed-bunkers. Water, in fact, can be found on 16 out of the 18 holes.

Signature Hole The 16th is a picturesque yet extremely testing par 3, with a 170-yard carry over water, and 6 well placed greenside bunkers waiting to catch any errant tee shot leaves very little margin for error, and a Par-3 on the card is true reward for selecting the right club. The Resort enjoyed a £15 million development in 2008 which has resulted in the completion of a stylish new 4-star 62-bedroom hotel and luxury Spa.

Summer Special June & July 4 ball Offer

£120

After 2pm. Subject to availability. Quote code GNW4B.

For further information or to make a booking enquiry call 01704 875 699 to speak to a member of our golf events team Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, Southport Old Road, Formby, Merseyside L37 0AB www.formbyhallgolfresort.co.uk

111 Haydock Park Golf Club Golborne Park, Newton Lane Newton-Le-Willows Merseyside WA12 0HX Telephone: 01925 226 944 secretary@haydockparkgc.co.uk www.haydockparkgc.co.uk 06. How to Find From M6, Junction 23 Exit junction 23 towards St Helens/ LiverpoolA580. Road merges onto E Lancashire Rd/A49 (signs for Manchester/A580). At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto A580 heading towards M6/ St Helens, turn left at Newton Lane, golf club is on your left.

18 holes, Par 71 • 6073 • 5226 • 5390 • 5097

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop Signature Hole Rated by many members as the feature hole on the course, the par 4, 6th has a daunting drive down a funnel of trees from a magnificent three tiered tee. With out of bounds all the way down the right and two bunkers placed perfectly to catch the slightest fade a drive to the left center is ideal as this fairway also slopes from left to right. A very large and high cross bunker 29 yards from the green makes distance judgement difficult.

Haydock Park GOLF CLUB

Founded in 1877, Haydock Park Golf Club is a wellestablished golf course situated near Haydock Park Racecourse. It is a mature parkland course of just over 6,000 yards. The course was designed by the famous golf course architect James Braid. Haydock Park is one of the North West’s premier golf clubs; it’s tree-lined fairways and well bunkered greens make scoring well a real challenge, for both high and low handicappers. We welome visitors every day during the week except Tuesdays (Ladies Only) and weekends. The Club is an excellent friendly venue for a day’s golf offering superb catering and clubhouse decor. Being very convenient to the M6/A580 junction, the Club is readily accessible from all directions.

OPEN competitions Thursday 10th June

Ladies Team of 4 Open

Sunday 20th June

Mixed Open

Friday 2nd July

4 Person Team Event

Thursday 12th August

Ladies Team of 3 Open

Sunday 29th August

Charity Mixed Open

Friday 24th September

Gents Seniors Open

HAYDOCK PARK

112 Hesketh Golf Club Cockle Dick’s Lane Southport PR9 9QQ Telephone: 01704 536897 Email enquiries via website www.heskethgolfclub.co.uk 07. How to Find Hesketh is at Cockle Dick’s Lane which is off Cambridge Road. Cambridge Road is the A565, the main road between Southport and Preston. The turn off to Cockle Dick’s Lane is almost 2 miles North of Southport Town Centre along the A565. To get to Southport from the M6, take J26 exit and continue along M58 until the Southport exit. Follow the A577 and then the A570 through Ormskirk to Southport.

Hesketh

18 holes, Par 72 (74 Ladies) • 6764 • 6691 • 6239 • 5639

GOLF CLUB

Hesketh Golf Club in Southport is set amidst the towering Victorian villas of Southport’s premier residential area - Hesketh Park, & is the town’s oldest golf club, founded in 1885. Standing alone on the crest of a tall sandhill, the clubhouse dominates the golf course, and the surrounding district.

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop

The course is at the northern end of south-west Lancashire`s sand dune system, which is the home of so many great golf courses. Professional championship golf has been played on these famous old links from the club`s earliest days, and the course is regularly used as a final qualifying course when The Open is played at Royal Birkdale. The course sets a unique challenge with half of the holes threaded through tall sand dunes; whilst the other holes border the Ribble estuary.

HESKETH Golf Club

Signature Holes 15th, Par 4. A blind tee shot over a large sand dune looks imposing. The ideal line is the church spire. With large sand dunes covered in rough on the right and left a straight tee shot is a must. An accurate approach shot is then needed to avoid the pot bunker which guards the right side of the green.16th. Without doubt the most picturesque par 3 on the course. A long iron is usually needed to a green surrounded by bunkers and sand dunes.

113 Hillside Golf Club The Clubhouse, Hastings Road, Hillside, Southport PR8 2LU Telephone: 01704 567169 secretary@hillside-golfclub.co.uk www.hillside-golfclub.co.uk 08. How to Find Hillside Golf Club is located to the south of Southport Town Centre, just off the A565 (Waterloo Road). From the M6 turn off at Junction 26 onto the M58. Follow the A570 Southport signs off the M58. From the A570, follow the A565 south, then turn off onto Hastings Road by Hillside Train Station.

18 holes, Par 72 • 7029 • 6558 • 6160 • 5888

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Trolleys, Driving range, Lessons, Pro shop Signature Holes 11th, Par 5. Many regard this as Hillside’s signature hole, certainly the view from the tee is worth lingering over, on a clear day the fells of the Lake District can be seen to the North. But it’s also a stern test that’s often played into the wind. 16th, Par 3. This is one of the best par 3’s you will play in England. It’s quite a long way but is often played down wind. A Mackenzie splits the green into two tiers - no bunkers required!

Hillside GOLF CLUB

Hillside Golf Club is situated in Southport, the home of “Englands Golf Coast”. The course forms part of England’s finest stretch of coastal links being adjacent to Royal Birkdale and Southport & Ainsdale with Formby Golf Club a few miles down the road. A round of golf at Hillside is a truly memorable experience and many visitors consider the course equal to anything the Open Championship venues have to offer. To sample links golf at its finest, ensure Hillside is on your schedule. From the white tees the course at Hillside measures just over 7,000 yards meandering through majestic sandhills and tranquil pinewoods. From the blue tees the course is a more manageable 6,558 yards. Many of the holes have elevated tees with fantastic views over the Irish Sea. After playing the course, Greg Norman wrote to the Club saying that “The back nine were the best in Britain”, while Jack Nicklaus described the course as “A wild looking links”.

114 Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club Bradshaws Lane, Ainsdale, Southport, PR8 3LG Telephone: 01704 578000 Email enquiries via website www.sandagolfclub.co.uk 09. How to Find From M6, exit junction 26, take the M58 to Liverpool/Southport. Exit at junction 3 to A570/St Helens/Southport. Turn left at A577/Park Rd, then left at A577/ Church Street, continue onto A570 Southport Rd. Turn left at A5147. Turn right at Carr Moss Lane. Continue onto Segars Lane. At roundabout take 3rd exit onto A565/Liverpool Rd. Turn left at Bradshaws Lane.

Southport & Ainsdale GOLF CLUB

Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club is a true championship links course, with first class facilities to match. The course is set amongst the dunes on the North West coastline and is another of course designer, James Braid’s great creations. The club has hosted two Ryder Cup matches in 1933 and 1937 and a number of other prestigious championships including The British Ladies Open and The British Amateur. It remains a final qualifying course for The Open Championship and it has been voted by one golf magazine as among the top 50 courses in Great Britain. The course is a magnificent test of golf, especially with the sea breeze, profusion of heather and gorse combining to provide you with a challenging and immensely enjoyable experience.

18 holes, Par 72 • 6768 • 6339 • 5912 • 5676

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Buggies, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop Signature Hole Hole 16, Par 5. “Gumbleys” Certainly the feature hole on the course. A straight tee shot is required towards the sleepers some 300 yards away. A good drive leaves a blind second shot over a 20ft high bank of sleepers. On reaching the brow of the hill, you will see a long narrow green in front of a high links dune. This very picturesque hole demands respect, offering a birdie opportunity – but many cards have been wrecked here.

Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club. Bradshaws Lane, Ainsdale, Southport, PR8 3LG. Telephone: 01704 578000. www.sandagolfclub.co.uk

115 West Derby Golf Club Yew Tree Lane West Derby Liverpool L12 9HQ Telephone: 0151 220 5478 pmilne@westderbygc.freeserve.co.uk www.westderbygc.co.uk 10. How to Find From M62. Take M62 exit towards M57/Southport/Prescot. Exit M57 at junction 2 to St Helens/Prescot/ A57. At Liverpool Rd N, take the 3rd exit onto Liverpool Rd/A57 heading to Liverpool. Continue onto Princess Drive, Turn left at Yew Tree Lane, club is on your right.

18 holes, Par 72 • 6275 • 6087 • 5463

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop Signature Holes Hole 18, Par 4. “Safely Home” The pleasures of the clubhouse await, but first the card wrecker. Many players have arrived at the 18th tee only to have their score dashed, by going Out of bounds on the right, or carving it left into the trees. A good drive will avoid all the trouble and leave a short to mid iron to an elevated green. Bunkers guard the front left and right. Too long though will catch the OOB on the other side of the green.

West Derby GOLF CLUB

West Derby Golf Club was founded in 1896 by a group of residents intent on forming the first inland golf ‘links’ in South-West Lancashire. In 1923 the process began to increase the course from 9 to 18 holes. If you seek a challenging test of golf on a beautiful, mature parkland course set in a leafy suburb of Liverpool with lush fairways and well kept greens, then look no further. At 6,275 yards the par 72 course includes 4 par 5’s and 4 par 3 holes. It is a true test for low and high handicap golfers, alike.

To find out more about our Summer Packages, Flexible Fairway Pass (10 rnds £175 or 5 rnds £95), Festival Week 2010 (19th -25th July) or any other aspect of West Derby Golf Club please contact Paul Milne (Secretary/Manager) 0151 254 1034 Or alternatively visit our website www.westderbygc.co.uk

Est. 1896

116 Wirral Ladies’ Golf Club 93 Bidston Road Prenton, Wirral CH43 6TS Telephone: 0151 652 1255 wirral.ladies@btconnect.com www.wirral-ladies-golf-club.co.uk 11. How to Find Exit the M53 at junction 3 and follow the signs for Birkenhead. Follow Woodchurch Road (A552) and turn left onto Storeton Road (B5151) which merges into Ingestre Road then Talbot Road and finally Bidston Road.

Wirral Ladies’ GOLF CLUB

Wirral Ladies is a historic venue originally created for the wives and families of Royal Liverpool members. The course was designed by local lad Harry Hilton, a winner in the Open Championship at Muirfield in 1892, winning again at his home club Royal Liverpool in 1897. Hilton’s clever design offers a subtle test of golf which is about so much more than how far you can hit the ball. The course rewards thoughtful play - be cautious and you will score, but only by combining caution with boldness will you score well.

18 holes, Par 68 (69 Ladies) • 5185 • 4948

Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Putting Green, Trolleys, Lessons, Pro shop. The Clubhouse has a well known reputation for delicious home made cakes and confectionary; lunches, daily specials and afternoon teas are also available.

At around 5,000 yards, Wirral Ladies is a compact golf course, and with a round taking on average a little over three hours, it is perfect for a half day outing, corporate days, or those with limited time to spare. Playing across a gently undulating heathland course with heather, gorse and natural woodland, the golfer will have their game tested and enjoy a walk in a traditional natural setting.

Signature Hole 15th, Par 4 • 350 • 339 It is hard to single out a “signature hole” but the 15th, a par 4 dog-leg left with the green set amongst woodland, reflects the character of the course. Decide on the tee that you will play to score a 5 and you will probably get it. To get a 4 requires a carrying drive to that part of the fairway which leaves you with a clear sight of the green. The green itself is elevated and sloped away at the rear.

Summer Sizzler only £22 18 Holes of Golf Bacon roll or Sandwich Coffee, Tea or Soft Drink Contact the Pro Shop on 0151 652 2468 to book

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The travelling golfers ideal companion is available online

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Merseyside Directory

Aintree Golf Centre Melling Road, Aintree, Liverpool, Merseyside, L9 5AS Telephone: 0151 523 5157 Email enquiries via website www.aintree.co.uk

Brackenwood Golf Club Brackenwood Park, Bebington, Wirral, Wirral, Merseyside, L63 2LY Telephone: 0151 608 3093 secretary@brackenwoodgolf.co.uk www.brackenwoodgolf.co.uk

Formby Hall Golf Club Southport Old Road, Formby, Merseyside, L37 0AB Telephone: 01704 875 699 Email enquiries via website www.formbyhallgolfclub.co.uk

Allerton Park Golf Club Allerton Manor Golf Estate, Allerton Road, Liverpool, L18 3JT Telephone: 0151 428 7490 Email n/a Website n/a

Bromborough Golf Club Raby Hall Road, Bromborough, Merseyside, CH63 0NW Telephone: 0151 334 4499 enquiries@bromboroughgolfclub.org.uk www.bromboroughgolfclub.org.uk

Formby Ladies Golf Club Golf Road, Formby, Liverpool, Merseyside, L37 1YH Telephone: 01704 873 493 secretary@formbyladiesgolfclub.co.uk www.formbyladiesgolfclub.co.uk

Arrowe Park Golf Club Woodchurch, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH49 5LW Telephone: 0151 677 1527 webmaster@arroweparkgolfclub.co.uk www.arroweparkgolfclub.com

Caldy Golf Club Links Hey Road, Caldy, Wirral, Merseyside, CH48 1NB Telephone: 0151 625 1818 secretarycaldygc@btconnect.com www.caldygolfclub.co.uk

Grange Park (St Helens) Golf Club Prescot Road, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 3AD Telephone: 01744 28785 secretary@grangeparkgolfclub.co.uk www.grangeparkgolfclub.co.uk

Bidston Golf Club Bidston Link Road, Wallasey, Merseyside, L44 2HR Telephone: 0151 630 6650 info@bidstongolf.co.uk www.bidstongolf.co.uk

Childwall Golf Club Naylors Road, Gateacre, Liverpool, Merseyside, L27 2YB Telephone: 0151 487 9871 Email enquiries via website www.childwallgolfclub.co.uk

Haydock Park Golf Club Newton Lane, Newton le Willows, Merseyside, WA12 0HX Telephone: 01925 226944 secretary@haydockparkgc.co.uk www.haydockparkgc.co.uk

Blundells Hill Golf Club Blundells Lane, Rainhill, Merseyside, L35 6NA Telephone: 0151 4300100 enquiries@blundellshill.co.uk www.blundellshill.co.uk

Eastham Lodge Golf Club 117 Ferry Road, Eastham, Wirral, Merseyside, L62 0AP Telephone: 0151 327 3008 easthamlodge.g.c@btinternet.com www.easthamlodgegolfclub.co.uk

Hesketh Golf Club Cockle Dicks Lane, Off Cambridge Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9QQ Telephone: 01704 536897 secretary@heskethgolfclub.co.uk www.heskethgolfclub.co.uk

Bootle Golf Club 2 Dunnings Bridge Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L30 2PP Telephone: 0151 928 1371 Email n/a Website n/a

Eccleston Park Golf Club Rainhill Road Rainhill, Prescot, Merseyside, L35 4PG Telephone: 0151 493 0033 ecclestonparkgolf.co.uk www.ecclestonepark@crown-golf.co.uk

Heswall Golf Club Cottage Lane, Gayton, Heswall, Merseyside, L60 8PB Telephone: 0151 342 7431 secretary@heswallgolfclub.com www.heswallgolfclub.com

Bowring Golf Club Bowring Park, Roby Road, Huyton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L36 4HD Telephone: 0151 489 1901 Email enquiries via website www.bowringgolfclub.com

Formby Golf Club Golf Road, Formby, Merseyside, L37 1LQ Telephone: 01704 873090 info@formbygolfclub.co.uk www.formbygolfclub.co.uk

Hillside Golf Club Hastings Road, Hillside, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2LU Telephone: 01704 568360 secretary@hillside-golfclub.co.uk www.hillside-golfclub.co.uk

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Merseyside Directory

Houghwood Golf Club Billinge Hill, Crank Road, Crank, St Helens, WA11 8RL Telephone: 01744 89 47 54 enquiries@houghwoodgolfclub.co.uk www.houghwoodgolfclub.co.uk

Royal Birkdale Golf Club Waterloo Road, Birkdale, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2LX Telephone: 01704 568857 secretary@royalbirkdale.com www.royalbirkdale.com

Warren (Wallasey) Golf Club Grove Road, Wallasey, Merseyside, L45 0JA Telephone: 0151 639 5730 Email enquiries via website www.wirral.gov.uk

Hoylake Municipal Golf Club Carr Lane, Municipal Links, Hoylake, Merseyside, L47 4BG Telephone: 0151 632 6823 Email n/a www.hoylakegolfclub.com

Royal Liverpool Golf Club (Hoylake) Meols Drive, Hoylake, Merseyside, CH47 4AL Telephone: 0151 632 6737 secretary@royal-liverpool-golf.com www.royal-liverpool-golf.com

West Derby Golf Club Yew Tree Lane, West Derby, Liverpool, L12 9HQ Telephone: 0151 220 5478 pmilne@westderbygc.freeserve.co.uk www.westderbygc.co.uk

Huyton and Prescot Golf Club Hurst Park, Huyton Lane, Huyton, Liverpool, L36 1UA Telephone: 0151 489 2022 secretary@huytonandprescotgolf.co.uk www.huytonandprescotgolf.co.uk

Sherdley Park Golf Club Sherdley Road, St Helens, Merseyside, WA9 5DE Telephone: 01744 815516 Email n/a www.sherdleyparkgolfclub.co.uk

West Lancashire Golf Club Hall Road West, Blundellsands, Liverpool, L23 8SZ Telephone: 0151 924 5662 golf@westlancashiregolf.co.uk www.westlancashiregolf.co.uk

Leasowe Golf Club Leasowe Road, Moreton, Merseyside, L46 3RD Telephone: 0151 678 5460 secretary@leasowegolfclub.co.uk www.leasowegolfclub.co.uk

Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club Bradshaws Lane, Ainsdale, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 3LG Telephone: 01704 577316 secretary@sandagolfclub.co.uk www.sandagolfclub.co.uk

Wirral Ladies Golf Club 93 Bidston Road, Oxton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, L43 6TS Telephone: 0151 652 2468 wirral.ladies@btconnect.com www.wirral-ladies-golf-club.co.uk

Lee Park Golf Club Childwall Valley Road, Gateacre, Liverpool, L27 3YA Telephone: 0151 498 4666 office@leepark.co.uk www.leepark.co.uk

Southport Municipal Golf Club Park Road West, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 0JR Telephone: 01704 535286 Email n/a Website n/a

Woolton Golf Club Speke Road, Woolton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L25 7TZ Telephone: 0151 486 2298 golf@wooltongolf.co.uk www.wooltongolfclub.com

Liverpool Municipal Golf Club Ingoe Lane, Kirkby, Liverpool, L32 4SS Telephone: 0151 546 5435 paul.thomas@liverpool.gov.uk www.liverpool.gov.uk

Southport Old Links Golf Club Moss Lane, Churchtown, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 7QS Telephone: 01704 228207 secretary@southportoldlinksgolfclub.co.uk www.southportoldlinksgolfclub.co.uk

Prenton Golf Club Golf Links Road, Prenton, Birkenhead, Merseyside, L42 8LW Telephone: 0151 608 1636 Email enquiries via website www.prentongolfclub.co.uk

Wallasey Golf Club Bayswater Road, Wallasey, Merseyside, L45 8LA Telephone: 0151 638 3888 wallaseygc@aol.com www.wallaseygolfclub.com

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Travel Spain > Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol Spain

The Costa del Sol lies in the province of Andalucia in the south of Spain. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. This ‘Sun Coast’ runs for 150 km from Malaga to Estepona, with skies predominantly blue all year round and brilliant sunshine. Costa del Sol offers a series of large beaches, coves hidden amongst cliffs, famous leisure marinas such as ‘Puerto Banus’ and tranquil fishing ports.

In the provincial capital, Malaga, stands the military fortress of the Alcazaba, built by the Moors in the 11th century. At the far end of the Costa del Sol is that geographical and political oddity Gibraltar, with excursions to see the famous Barbary Apes and abundant military history. The Costa del Sol’s great diversity means that it has something to offer for just about everyone, with enough entertainment and variety to please all types of holiday visitor.

The Mediterranean sea is warm and safe and the hills and high mountains shelter the coastline, these elements allow for an all year micro climate making it the perfect location for golf. Known to many as the ‘Costa del Golf’ due to the outstanding choice of luxury golf courses set along this coastline, with over 50 to choose from you will have to keep returning to experience them all.

Special Offer Valid: 1st Jun - 30th Sep & 1st Nov - 31st Dec 2010

Alhaurin Golf & Hotel Resort Designed by

2 players + shared buggy = €140 (10% discount online)

Seve Ballesteros

www.alhauringolf.com Book on-line, save money and time!

Societies: reservasgolf@alhauringolf.com Telephone: +34 952 595 800

Golf & Country Club

Call: +34 956 613 030 (Ext. 1033) info@sanroqueclub.com · www.sanroqueclub.com

Summer Green Fees. Until 30th September 2010 18 Holes 9 Holes Twilight

Golf Green Fee €42.00 €25.00 €29.40

Buggy Rental €25.00 €12.50 € 17.50

Weekly Ticket: €199 per person including 1/2 buggy Special Offers for July & August 2010: Buggy 18 Holes = €15 2 Green Fees + Shared buggy = €99 Super Twilight (5 Holes) From 18:30 Hrs. €20 per person including buggy

Urb. Elviria, Ctra. Cádiz-Málaga, km 192. Tel: (+34) 952 831 036 - Fax: (+34) 952 834 797 caddymaster@santamariagolfclub.com - www.santamariagolfclub.com

Hassle Free Golf Trips with GolfClubsXpress Transport your Golf Clubs quickly and safely to your golf break in England, Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland, Scotland or Wales with GolfClubsXpress. Using our custom carrier, we will take a massive 27 Kilos of your clubs, shoes, balls, waterproofs etc from your home, office or Golf Club to your golf destination. Our award winning Couriers use the latest technology so you can track your clubs all the way out and back. No more struggling with Golf Clubs through airports - no more worries about lost or damaged clubs - check in online at home and be a “Walk on Walk Off” passenger on your Golf Trip. Whether you are a couple on a golf break to Spain, a Golf Society playing in France or a company on a Corporate Golf event in Portugal, GolfClubsXpress will take the stress out of transporting your golf clubs. Save money taking your golf clubs away with GolfClubsXpress - with no clubs to carry you can take fewer cars to the airport and not hire larger, or more cars than you really need. No Credit Card Surcharges or Hidden Fees.

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124

News North West Golf Guide

The secret is out! Or at least so it seems to some

With doom and gloom around every corner it’s refreshing to hear some positive news coming out of Los Arqueros Estates and their on site real estate business in Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club. On the Costa del Sol we meet lots of people involved in the property market but none as positive as Ian Cooper, Managing Director of Los Arqueros Estates. “We are finding great deals right now in Los Arqueros. UK vendors are cashing in their property and taking advantage of the weak pound and this is driving sales. At the same time, buyers who have been sitting on the fence are now pushing the button to buy.” So apparently confidence is back, we asked Ian who is buying? “As Los Arqueros was first developed by a Swedish company it has always been popular with Swedish clients and still is. Taylor Woodrow’s involvement over the past 14 years has meant the UK market has also been strong here and

now we have seen a number of Dutch and Russian clients buying recently.” And why? “Well that’s easy, excellent all round value. A community which is consolidated, safe, well established and 100% legal.” Anyone not familiar with Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club in Benahavis are in for a pleasant surprise. Firstly its location is amazing, offering stunning sea views towards the Mediterranean, with a backdrop of La Zagaleta and Sierra Bermeja and all just a few minutes away from the beach, Marbella and Puerto Banus. It not all about Seve Ballesteros’ 18-hole golf course either. As Ian points out, “a short drive away is the white village of Benahavis named the gastronomic corner of Andalucia with dozens of great restaurants. Added to this you can find a host of other sports activities and professional instruction all on site.”

Ian has chosen to specialize in selling properties in Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club, with his properties ranging in price from €159.000 to just over €3.95 million. This allows a wide range of people the opportunity to experience a fabulous lifestyle and to enjoy all the facilities this development has to offer. For more information contact Ian at Los Arqueros Estates on 669 430 252 / 952 764 067 or email info@losarquerosesates.com

2 bed - 2 bath

Los Balcones - Ref:165

La Torre - Ref:325

La Finca - Ref:328

Located within the exclusive Los Balcones development this stunning 2 bed apartment benefits from some of the best sea views on the coast. Presented in first class condition including all furniture and plasma TV’s.

Southwest facing & frontline golf this reduced priced 2 bed first floor apartment is presented in excellent condition with stunning views over the golf course and lake. Includes underground parking, hot & cold AC and cream marble flooring throughout.

This ground floor property is located in near the club house which offers a host of amenties & services including Golf, Tennis, Squash, Paddle, Gym, and Restaurant/Bar. Only 10 minutes from the beach, Puerto Banus & Marbella.

€220,000

€199,000

2 bed - 2 bath

Las Terrazas - Ref:97

Los Naranjos - Ref:171

Las Jacarandas - Ref:167

This penthouse property is located in an elevated position, built by Taylor Woodrow this project benefits from exceptional views to the Southwest offering vistas to the mountains, golf and Mediterranean sea beyond.

This Los Naranjos apartment is located on the first floor and benefits from stunning sea views. Comprising of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge, kitchen, utility and good size terrace. Offers great value for money in todays market.

Sought after garden apartment in the exclusive Las Jacarandas urbanisation. Complete with underground parking and storeroom. Great in door space with an ample terrace and garden.

€295,000

€210,000

€195,000

00 34 669 430 252 info@losarquerosestates.com www.losarquerosestates.com Los Arqueros Estates S.L., Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club, 29679 Benahavís, Spain

www.losarqueroslife.com

golden mile properties www.lasolanadenagueles.com

luxury properties www.iancooperestates.com

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News North West Golf Guide

Volvo World Match Play Championship New Date set for The European Tour

Photo by Michael Denker - www.golffoto.es

The Volvo World Match Play Championship is set for a new date in 2011 and will be held 19th to 22nd May, 2011 at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf and Spa on the magnificent Andalucian coast in Southern Spain. The 2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship was hailed a huge success as changes in qualification and format were widely acclaimed and the new blue chip venue of Finca Cortesin was warmly embraced by players, media and spectators alike.

world class event is given the date it properly deserves. The new permanent May date for the Championship is secured under a four year agreement with the European Tour (2011-2014) and ensures the Volvo World Match Play Championship is guaranteed the Spanish sunshine and that the world’s best players are able to include the Volvo World Match Play Championship in their schedules; and crucially, the aim is that the Volvo World Match Play Championship will now be the sole dominant European Tour event played in the new date.

Securing a new permanent date for the Championship has been at the very heart of today’s announcement. With the global schedule becoming ever more congested in the Autumn months with existing tournaments and the addition of new events in Europe and Asia, Volvo and IMG have worked together with the European Tour and, crucially, the players, to ensure that this

As well as a new date, Volvo and partners IMG today announce further improvements that will ensure that the Championship build on its status as a world class event, including an increased field size, increased prize fund and a refined qualification criteria. However, the key characteristics of the Championship, including the ultimate thrill of match play golf, will continue as before.

The 16 man field will be increased to allow 24 of the world’s best players to compete for this coveted title and the qualification process, so successful in gathering one of the highest quality international fields on the European Tour in 2009, has been modified to accommodate the increase. In keeping with its world class status the prize fund for the 2011 Championship increases to €3.4 million with a first prize of €800,000, the highest on the European Tour outside of the Majors, World Golf Championship events and the Dubai World Golf Championship. Per Ericsson, President & CEO of Volvo Event Management Golf, explained, “Innovation is a watchword at Volvo and while we were delighted with the success of the 2009 edition, we are very excited about the way we have worked with our partners, Finca Cortesin, IMG, the European Tour to continue

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News North West Golf Guide

to evolve and grow this great event. At each tournament we aim to learn and improve for the next edition. The round robin groups last year were a great success and we think the extended field and the eight groups of 3 will lead to even more excitement and a clearer understanding for the players and spectators as to who will emerge the group winners.” He continued, “We changed the qualification criteria ahead of the 2009 Championship because we wanted to make the event even more international and we feel it worked wonderfully and were thrilled with the field gathered in 2009. Extending the field to 24 players has enabled us to build on this ethos and we are confident that the 2011 Championship will deliver a larger group of the World’s leading golfers of the same excellent quality while spectators will see their favourites playing a larger number of nail-biting matches. This is a world class tournament and we took our time to agree the new date going forward after studying all the relevant Tour’s Schedules to ensure our tournament is THE one to play that week. I look forward to watching our worthy 2009 Champion Ross Fisher return to defend his title against what we believe will another stellar field.” George O’Grady added, “I am delighted we have been able to work with Volvo and IMG to find this new date in the schedule where the Volvo World Match Play Championship will fit so well going forward. It is one of the oldest events on our Tour and very fitting

that one of our longest serving sponsors, has secured its future and worked so hard to continue to develop the tournament.” Guy Kinnings, Director of IMG Golf, EMEA, commented, “We are very happy that our partnership with Volvo, along with Finca Cortesin and the European Tour has allowed us to reach this point. We have successfully worked together to both secure the future of this great Tournament and enhance it’s position on the world stage.” He continued, “Since the first World Match Play Championship in 1964, it has been played a vital role in IMG’s portfolio of events and we feel very proud to have successfully preserved the heritage and special nature of this Championship while continuing to improve and enhance one of the most popular tournaments on the European Tour. Last year’s move to Spain after 44 wonderful events at The Wentworth Club was an overriding success and we are pleased to work with our partners to continue to evolve The Championship by improving the qualification criteria, field size and format and we are confident that the tournament will go from strength to strength.” Vicente Rubio, Director General Finca Cortesin added, “The 2009 Championship was a very successful experience for us as we hosted our first European Tour event. The course proved to be the perfect stage for many of the world’s best players to go head-to-head and we were thrilled with

their positive reaction to our golf course and feedback with regards to our hotel facilities. We are already looking forward to next year’s tournament and are delighted with the new permanent May date.” Spain’s Sergio Garcia was delighted to hear the news and hopes he will be able to include the tournament in his schedule, commenting, “It is great news that the Volvo World Match Play Championship has secured this key date in the schedule. Last year’s tournament was fantastic – Finca Cortesin provided a wonderfully dramatic backdrop for some thrilling match ups. Spain’s wonderful golf facilities were proudly shown around the world in doing such a wonderful job in hosting this historic tournament for the first time. I think we all enjoyed the ‘champions league’ style groupings and I believe that the increased field and amended format in 2011 will make for an even more thrilling Championship.” Ross Fisher, 2009 Volvo World Match Play Champion, concluded: ”Winning this prestigious title was a very important achievement for me, especially having grown up watching so many great players win this event over the years. I thoroughly enjoy match play and as I am working to qualify for the 2010 Ryder Cup this year, I hope that winning such a prestigious match play tournament against such a strong field might have impressed our European Captain, Colin Montgomerie, who was at Finca Cortesin watching the Championship last year.”

128

News

Jaime Ortiz-Patiño Made Honorary Life Vice President of The European Tour

Jaime Ortiz-Patiño was made an Honorary Life Vice President of The European Tour at the BMW PGA Championship. The Bolivianborn owner of one of The European Tour’s most iconic venues – the magnificent Valderrama on Spain’s southern coast – was honoured by Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady and two-time Masters Champion José Maria Olazábal at Wentworth Club as the BMW PGA Championship got underway. It was Patiño’s vision that saw The Ryder Cup being played on European soil for the first time in 1997, when Seve Ballesteros’s European Team sealed a dramatic 14½ - 13½ over the USA to retain the Samuel Ryder Trophy. That historic week was the culmination of a journey that began in 1956 and saw Patiño build one of the best courses in the world that would stage one of The European Tour’s most prestigious events, the seasonending Volvo Masters from 1988-1996,

and from 2002-2008 and two World Golf Championships in 1999 and 2000. Patiño’s passion for golf was ignited by an unlikely chain of events that began 54 years ago at the 1956 Italian Open. It was there that Patiño offered his services as a caddie to Ryder Cup player Dai Rees, who needed a replacement caddie for the final round. Instead of paying Patiño in cash, Rees told the South American: “I am The Ryder Cup Captain next year – I will send you a couple of tickets as your caddie fee.” And so Patiño’s journey began. He made the trip to Lindrick in Yorkshire the following year and was blown away by the event. “I saw history being made that week because it was the first post war defeat of the Americans. The Ryder Cup has been my favourite event ever since because of the tension it generates – even then I could sense the pressure on the two Captains.”

North West Golf Guide

“Patiño’s passion for golf was ignited by an unlikely chain of events that began 54 years ago at the 1956 Italian Open.” It was some years later – the early 1980s – when Patiño was winding down his business career and taking more holidays in his home in Sotogrande, southern Spain that the plan to create the vision that would become Valderrama came to the fore. With an increasing Membership and overcrowding issues at his home club of Sotogrande, Patiño and seven associates bought the neighbouring Los Aves course, a layout designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr.

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News North West Golf Guide

“Jaime Ortiz-Patiño has provided more than a few proud moments in the history of The European Tour.” George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour

Initially, the group of friends bought the club so that they could have somewhere private to play, but it wasn’t long before Patiño was hatching the plan that would see The Ryder Cup played on mainland Europe for the first time in history. After buying out his fellow investors, Patiño re-employed Trent Jones to come back and (without a single financial constraint) finish what he had started. The great architect matched his employer’s ambition and sculpted the modern day masterpiece that is Valderrama. While Jones worked his magic, Patiño went to America to study agronomy with United States Golf Association experts so that he could be responsible for the maintenance of his course. It did not take The European Tour long to come calling on Valderrama, and when they did they recognised the stunning

quality of the venue and agreed to host the Volvo Masters there immediately. By 1991, Patiño was being asked if he would consider bidding for The Ryder Cup. At first, he felt that the infrastructure (roads, hotels, parking facilities etc) was not good enough to host golf’s grandest team event but he soon changed his mind after travelling to the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island. “It was there that I realised that we could do it at Valderrama,” he said. “The spectators had to travel some distance to get to Kiawah and I felt that if they did it in America then they could travel from Marbella, where there were so many hotels, to Valderrama. I put in a bid for 1997 and it was accepted – that was a very proud moment.” George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “Jaime Ortiz-Patiño has

provided more than a few proud moments in the history of The European Tour. His vision and commitment to the game, and specifically our Tour through the Volvo Masters and, of course, The Ryder Cup, make him one of our strongest partners. We are delighted that he has accepted this Honorary Life Vice Presidency award – it is a fitting tribute to a great man.” Olazábal, speaking on behalf of The European Tour Membership as he presented Patiño with his Honorary Life Vice President award, said: “The players of The European Tour are in your debt for what you have done for golf and for our Tour. You showed the Tour that we could make our events some of the best sporting occasions in the world and we have taken that on board and grown as a result of that. We congratulate you and thank you for all that you have done for us.”