The North East of England holds a rich heritage of culture and some of the most stunning landscapes that you will find anywhere in the UK. This spectacular region is home to a good mix of vibrant city life, beautiful coastlines and some of the most breathtaking countryside, making this region an absolute must for any enthusiastic golfer looking for a society venue or indeed a mini golf break.
Within this special edition we have profiled some of our favourite courses from this part of the world in order to give you an idea of what you can expect to find in the North East. As always we hope you enjoy the issue.
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Oakdale Golf Club, Harrogate
As well as being the largest county in the north of England, Yorkshire is also home to the most golf courses allowing you to find your perfect golf break with hundreds of accommodation providers, restaurants, bars and entertainment.
A mixture of big name venues and hidden gems which are just waiting to be discovered, North Yorkshire’s inland links, parkland and heathland golf courses meander through the stunning scenery attributed to the region, such as the natural dykes that are scattered among the fairways.
With something for everyone, North Yorkshire represents the ideal retreat for a golfing break with a wide variety of venues offering fantastic value for money.
The Victorian Spa town of Harrogate, is set at the heart of the UK and is 200 miles from both London and Edinburgh. The town is serviced by mainline rail links and motorways networks. Harrogate is the perfect base for a day, weekend or longer break exploring all that the region has to offer with an excellent range of accommodation providers in the town offering reasonably priced breaks and great hospitality.
Bustling with shops and eateries, Harrogate is circled by an extensive green space that surrounds the town, known as the Stray – stretching over 200 acres, it gives a homely green and spacious feeling to the town which has many other gardens and natural landscapes to discover.
A hidden gem in the Harrogate countryside, guests are assured of a warm Yorkshire welcome at Oakdale Golf Club. One of the finest golf courses in Yorkshire, the Oakdale golf course is ideal for all ages and abilities of golfer, from the complete beginner to the seasoned professional.
Founded in 1914, the golf course was designed by legendary golf course architect, Dr Alister MacKenzie and uses the surrounding terrain to enhance its golfing appeal. The moorland and parkland layout stretches over two loops of nine holes and plays as a Par 71 from the championship, white tees.
The Oakdale course has a WHS course rating of 71.6 and a slope rating of 137, presenting a fair but challenging test for all.
The Oakdale clubhouse building is home to excellent facilities including comfortable lounges and well stocked bars. The club has dining facilities for 2-120 guests and is the ideal venue for all manner of celebration and occasion - regarded as one of Yorkshires premier corporate and social meeting points.
The elevated view from the clubhouse balcony overlooks several holes and is ideal for al fresco eating and drinking in the warmer months.
Oakdale welcomes visitors and offers a number of golf day packages for 18 or 27 holes of championship golf on the Oakdale course; all of which can be tailored to the needs of the visiting party.
The club offers excellent dining options and assistance from the club’s knowledgeable professional team who can advise on the golf day, leaving the organiser free to enjoy all that Oakdale Golf Club has to offer.
George Washington Resort, Durham
Taking in the beautiful countryside of North Yorkshire and coastline of Northumberland and Durham, the North East of England is blessed with some magnificent golf courses, glorious landscapes and vibrant towns and cities. With dozens of top notch golf courses to choose from, the North East presents an all-round perfect destination for a golf break.
Away from the fairways, visitors can explore sites of cultural and historical interest including the legacy of the Roman Empire and Hadrian’s Wall. The North East is also the perfect location for a night on the tiles.
County Durham is primarily known for its medieval history and 11th Century castle, but with over thirty Durham golf courses to choose from, it’s also a wonderful destination for a UK golf holiday.
Visitors are never short of options in the North East with something to see and do for the whole family. The region also offers great value on a variety of luxury hotels and other affordable accommodation outlets.
For wonderfully enjoyable short breaks and weekend stays in the North East, look no further than the George Washington Resort. Set in a tranquil area of Washington, just outside Newcastle, visitors and their families are encouraged to take advantage of a luxurious stay in the superb George Washington Hotel with relaxing spa and leisure facilities for all the family and of course, the renowned George Washington golf course on your doorstep during your stay.
The George Washington course has hosted the Sunderland Masters and is highly regarded as one of the most challenging in the northwest of England. Measuring 6,625 yards from the championship tees, the course plays as a Par 73 and offers a unique challenge to all levels of golfer.
Established as a premier wedding venue in the north of England, the 3 star George Washington Hotel provides spacious hotel rooms in various configurations, offering a spot of luxury. The vibrant Carter & Finch restaurant is located on the ground floor and is the ideal venue for dining with friends and family as well as more formal occasions whilst there are treatments to suit everyone in the Montana Spa.
The resort offers a variety of great experience packages which can be tailored to meet the needs of the visiting party. There are golf and treatments for couples including use of the leisure facilities with an overnight stay and breakfast. The ‘Hole Family in one’ offer is a fantastic break for all the family with dining and leisure use whilst the Hotel also offers Midweek and Sunday Drivers, with two rounds of golf included as well as use of leisure facilities and dining.
If you want to spend longer at the resort, extensive golfing holidays are available, allowing visitors to enjoy the George Washington course as well as explore what the North East has to offer away from the fairway.
Blackwell Grange Golf Club, Darlington
A wonderfully-appointed, par 71 parkland golf course – Blackwell Grange presents a test for all ages and abilities of golfer with a WHS course rating of 71.0 and a slope rating of 125. Measuring 6,450 yards from the championship tees, the golf course is set in 145 acres of uniquely varied landscape with the River Skerne looping around its fairways. Venue of the largest Pro-Am in the region, the course is easy to play but difficult to master.
Aside from the superb course, Blackwell Grange is also home to an excellent fifteen-bay floodlit driving range, practice chipping green and a large putting green synonymous with the putting surfaces out on the championship golf course.
The Blackwell Grange clubhouse is the ideal place to relax in attractive, friendly surroundings. The recently refurbished clubhouse building offers a quiet retreat to enjoy a drink or bite to eat after a round or it can be used as the venue for all manner of social functions and family celebrations.
The club’s catering team provides a daily snack menu, as well as offering a seasonal specials menu and delicious home made cakes and pastries for afternoon teas.
Adjacent to the Range is Blackwell Grange’s excellent Professional shop which stocks the latest clothing, equipment and accessories from some of the game’s leading manufacturers as well as housing a Trackman fitting and teaching studio.
Blackwell Grange Golf Club extends a warm welcome to visitors throughout the year with an array of wonderful golf day packages available for groups of twelve or more.
Whether paying for a single green fee or as part of a visiting society group, you’re sure to find the cost of playing at Blackwell Grange very reasonable for a course of its standing.
For readers of Your Golfer, we are offering a great weekday society deal to include:
Bacon Roll with tea of coffee on arrival
18 hole green fee
1 course after golf meal menu
Cost for the offer - £40.00
Tee times will be subject to availability so just contact us to book your visit in.
The club’s highly professional team will be on hand for the duration of your visit to ensure that your day runs smoothly and that the organiser is left free to enjoy all that Blackwell Grange Golf Club has to offer.
On the border of County Durham and North Yorkshire, Darlington is situated close to the major cities of Newcastle, Leeds and Bradford and is packed full of history and culture. Lying on the banks of the Rivers Tees and Skerne, the town is often affectionately referred to as ‘Darlo’ and has a reputation as one of the finest and most vibrant market towns in the north of England.
Darlington town centre is a mixture of the old and new with an abundance of independent shops, quaint cafes, bars and restaurants for the enjoyment of all the family.
Visitors are never short of options in the North East with something to see and do for the whole family. Darlington also offers great value on a variety of luxury hotels and other affordable accommodation outlets.
