36 minute read
Kirkby Lonsdale GC Help Boost Their Local Economy See Pages 10 And
“We are also making contact with local schools to encourage their pupils to come along and are looking to organise an inter schools golf competition here later this year,” said vice-captain Graham Bywater.
The club has a six-hole Academy course for use by juniors and those beginning to learn the game. The course is also a haven for wildlife, including roe deer, rabbits, hares, stoats and weasels. There is a heronry and swans and various varieties of ducks enjoy the lake. “We have put up around 30 bird boxes this year, which have been used by every wild bird you can think of,” said Mr Ree.
It was vital to attract juniors to the game because they were the next generation, said Mr Ree. “Golf is a sport you start and can play all your life, by yourself or as part of a team,” he said.
Ellie Broome and Head PGA professional John Twissell are running two ‘Get into Golf’ beginners’ classes - a ladies group and a mixed group. Meanwhile the club has applied to Golf England to be able to help deliver its Girls Golf Rocks initiative.
Mr Ree said the pandemic had been tough on the club, suspending its income intermittently over a full year.
But the club had taken the opportunity during the lockdowns to provide covers for four of its ten driving range bays and to refurbish the clubhouse. The greenkeeping team had continued to work and had improved the playing surfaces.
It had been ‘frustrating’ not to be able to play golf for so long and there was now a sense of ‘total relief’ that players could get back on the course, said Mr Ree. The clubhouse includes a bar and restaurant and can be hired as a function room. Drinks and food can now be served outside on the terrace and the club is looking forward to when it can offer hospitality indoors.
Other facilities include a swing room with launch monitor to track the ball’s launch angle, flight and spin rate; a short game chipping area and a pro shop selling equipment and clothing.
The club runs various competitions including opens which are very popular with visitors and is considering trying to host Pro-Am tournaments.
The club was established in 1906 and has been at its present site since 1991. The 18-hole course measures 6,594 yards and is laid out in more than 160 acres of spectacular countryside. The layout provides two nine-hole loops out and back to the clubhouse. Each of the holes has its own unique character and has four tee options, providing different degrees of difficulty. The River Lune and Barbon Beck both run through the course, which offers amazing views of Barbon Fell and the Howgills. A variety of membership deals are available but people can book to play even if they are not members. “We just want people to come to the club to play a game of golf and hopefully they will be impressed and want to play again or join the club,” said Mr Bywater.
Mr Towers said the elements that made Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club special were that it was friendly and inclusive, its wonderful location and the quality of the course.
Photographer Andy Hiseman’s new ‘pandemic portfolio’ shows that British golf’s spirits remain undimmed even during the current virus outbreak.
Over 100 new photos taken under COVID-19 conditions at UK golf clubs have been added to the gallery at www.hisemanphoto.com, in a collection which explodes with colour, personality and beautiful ‘magic hour’ sunset and sunrise images of golf courses.
In 2020, while Mother Nature – oblivious to the virus – supplied a succession of wonderful skies, greenkeepers made the most of the quiet conditions to provide immaculate playing surfaces which Hiseman captured on camera.
And between lockdowns golf clubs were a haven for golfers whose faces were lit by expressions of joy and relief at being let loose on the golf course again. Even if only temporarily.
Hiseman travelled the UK between April and October 2020 to capture the best sights at golf clubs around the country.
“I became familiar with sleeping in my car” said the photographer. “No hotels open, you see. I usually regret not being a six-footer, but not in 2020.
Hiseman, whose day job is at an advertising agency, is never happier than when out on a golf course with his camera. “Photographing golf clubs is my personal passion. As we all know there is no more beautiful place to be, when the weather’s good, and a lovely golf course photograph restores the spirit.”
HADDENHAM, BUCKS, UK - - Golf’s most desirable GPS devices are yours for £50 off the normal price until Monday 19th April, as SkyCaddie celebrates the annual return of the Masters Tournament, as well as the return of golf itself.
‘Master’ your distances with the multiple award-winning SkyCaddie family, now on offer at most good PGA pro shops and golf retailers at a reduced price, including the SkyCaddie SX500 and SX400 GPS Handhelds, plus the LX5 and LX5C Ceramic Bezel GPS Smart Watches.
The range-topping SX500 (£329.95 during promotion) and SX400 (£249.95 during promotion) feature golf’s largest GPS screens at 5 inches and 4 inches respectively. Their ultra-detailed HD graphics show the latest maps for over 35,000 golf courses including complete coverage of the UK & Ireland.
The SX500 and SX400 represent the ultimate as regards full-course distance information available to golfers, and are golf’s only GPS devices used regularly by Tour players such as 1991 Masters champion, Hall of Famer and Ryder Cup legend Ian Woosnam. The LX5 and LX5C GPS Smart Watches have never been offered at a £50 discount before. They offer the golfer the sport’s largest wearable GPS Watch screens, again with dazzling pin-sharp graphics and a wealth of hole information, at £249.95 and £299.95 respectively during the promotion.
Each SkyCaddie offers golf’s most accurate “ground-mapped” course information, surveyed and regularly updated on foot, available exclusively and instantly to SkyCaddie owners All include IntelliGreen, SkyCaddie’s exclusive in-depth look at every green on the golf course, and HoleVue, another SkyCaddie exclusive which enables golfers to zoom in for precision-targeting.
The SX500 and SX400 also feature SkyCaddie’s exclusive IntelliPath, popular on Tour, which delivers accurate yardages on carries, layups and fairway runouts for instant, elite-standard course management as you play.
That’s information which you cannot get with a laser, or with any other GPS device in golf.
Master your distances with a SkyCaddie at £50 off – but hurry, the offer ends a week after the Masters!
sales@skycaddiegps.co.uk +44 (0)1844 296358 | www.skycaddie.co.uk andy@hiseman.com | +44 (0)1226 781000
Farleigh caps off record-breaking year with two 59 club awards
Farleigh Golf Club’s general manager, James Ibbetson, is celebrating a remarkable 12 months in charge of the Surrey club after being named Golf Manager of The Year in the prestigious annual 59club golf customer service awards.
The 27-hole venue in Warlingham was among a select few of the UK’s leading golf clubs and resorts to be rewarded and recognised for their standards of service at the virtual ‘Industry Oscars’ which went live online on Wednesday, March 24.
Hosted by BBC presenter Dan Walker, Farleigh picked up two awards for its achievements and continued level of service, despite the unprecedented circumstances of the past year.
The pandemic hasn’t halted Farleigh’s ambition to be one of the most highly-regarded golf clubs in Surrey, with Ibbetson leading the club through three forced closures, reopenings and the ever-changing government restrictions to achieve record membership numbers and also the my59 Ultimate Service Excellence award.
The award winners are determined by scores collected from 59club’s impartial mystery shopping team, which evaluates the experience afforded to visiting golfers and prospective members collectively, in accordance with objective industry-leading benchmarking criteria.
Ibbetson has managed to keep up the Farleigh ethos of making customers ‘feel better when they left than when they arrived’ while keeping them and his team safe through a number of Covid protocols introduced at the club, both on and off the course.
Farleigh successfully capitalised on the UK golf boom with a number of innovative marketing campaigns, leading to a waiting list being introduced for its full seven-day memberships.
The club also places an emphasis on membership retention and satisfaction and has impressed with its regular communication with members throughout the lockdowns with two newsletters per week – keeping them engaged and stimulated and still getting value from their membership despite not being able to physically use the facilities. The regular content included course management tips from the PGA professionals on how to play all 27 holes at Farleigh, drills that members could practise at home, fitness videos, course updates from the greenkeepers, as well as cooking recipes from the club’s chefs.
One Farleigh member said: “I would like to compliment Farleigh on the regular newsletters and updates and general communications we receive as members.
“I happened to be chatting to a friend who is a member at a nearby club, and they were astonished when I told them everything that is going on – the support for members and the general feed of news from the club. I think he was very envious and surprised at how much the club management and staff are doing to keep communications channels open.” Ibbetson joined Farleigh in November 2019, so only had four months in charge of the club in ‘usual’ circumstances before the pandemic hit.
He said: “I can’t really remember what it is like to manage the club on a pre-pandemic normal day. The past year has certainly been a challenge, but one that I am proud that we have come out of the other side stronger and better than ever. “We have an incredible team at Farleigh which always goes the extra mile to make people’s experience at the club as memorable as possible. The way everyone has adapted over the past year has been nothing short of remarkable and they deserve all the credit they get. Everyone has played their part and it’s fantastic to receive this kind of recognition to show that the hard work pays off.”
Farleigh was nominated for five awards in total with Josie Swift also nominated for the Food and Beverage Manager of The Year Award, Paul Babbage nominated for Golf Retail Manager of The Year and the club’s PGA professionals being nominated for Golf Operations Team of the Year.
Renowned for its beautiful surroundings, highquality layout of its John Jacobs-designed course, as well as its unrivalled year-round course conditions with the ‘Farleigh Guarantee’ of no temporary greens and tees, the club has established itself as a prime venue for national PGA tournaments after recently hosting the PGA Fourball Championship and PGA Assistants’ Championship.
Its well-presented fairways, USGA-standard greens and extensive range of practice facilities – which include a driving range, putting green and short game area – has seen it build an enviable reputation among golfers of all abilities.
SkyCaddie GPS continued its breakthrough progress in the world of Tour golf when it was used by seven of the top ten fi nishers – including the eventual champion – at this weekend’s Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship Hosted by Ian Woosnam at Trevose.
The tournament’s winner, South African golfer Chris Williams, used his SkyCaddie SX500 GPS rangefi nder throughout the event, as did Andrew Oldcorn and Peter Baker (T5), plus David Shacklady, Peter Wilson, Clark Dennis and Markus Brier (all T7).
In the Championship, which was the fi rst Legends Tour event of the year, over half of all competitors used SkyCaddie GPS for their yardages.
Legends Tour organisers also worked with SkyCaddie when setting the pins at the tournament. SkyCaddie then provided the daily pin sheets for players to use. Each day’s pins were also WiFi-downloaded onto competitors’ SkyCaddie GPS handhelds.
Williams birdied the last to clinch the tournament, hitting a perfect 8-iron to three feet after using his SkyCaddie to get a yardage on the uphill 18th at Trevose.
“I trust my SkyCaddie’s yardages and now use it 99.9% of the time in tournament play. I don’t need to use a yardage book any more. The SkyCaddie is now part of my tee shot routine, it gives me a yardage to where I want to actually hit the ball.” “At Trevose like many links courses you often face a blind shot over mounds – for example the approach to the fi rst green if you are out of position. In these cases the SkyCaddie saves me loads of time, it is instantaneous, and it’s good in bad weather too” he said.
Tournament host and 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam OBE is another Legends Tour competitor who now uses SkyCaddie GPS for yardages during tournaments.
“I use my SkyCaddie on every tee to judge carries and runouts when hazards are in range, and having the day’s pins preloaded gives me a complete roadmap of each hole without worrying about line of sight” said Woosnam.
SkyCaddie is currently running a £50-off Father’s Day promotion, valid until July 4th, giving golfers £50 the RRP on three of its award-winning products – the SkyCaddie SX400 GPS handheld, LX5 GPS Smart Watch and the LX5C GPS Smart Watch Ceramic Bezel.
SkyCaddie’s new SX550 top-of-the-range model is set to take over from the popular SX500 as the favoured GPS device among elite golfers, when it launches in the UK at the end of this month. For all SkyCaddie information see www.skycaddie.co.uk. sales@skycaddiegps.co.uk +44 (0)1844 296360 www.skycaddie.co.uk
Abersoch Golf Club is located in the wonderful surroundings of Snowdonia in North Wales. This club has an excellent reputation as a true test for golfers of all abilities and is proud to be recognised as the friendliest golf club in Wales.
The course is home to outstanding panoramic views and to a beautiful setting of coastline across Cardigan Bay, coupled with an astonishing backdrop of the Snowdonia Mountains. On playing this course it will become immediately apparent that the club takes much pride in welcoming golfers , be it societies, groups or visitors to the club. www.abersochgolf.co.uk
The course itself provides a mixture of testing links holes along the stunning sand dunes and beach, after which you will find yourself meandering back inland to play a set of five, beautifully landscaped, parkland holes. This in itself will provide a true test to any visiting golfer as you will be playing links golf and a parkland course on the same 18 holes!!
Alan (the resident professional at Abersoch) is happy to extend the club’s renowned warm welcome and is available for lessons should you wish to sharpen up any part of your game whilst playing the course. It may also be a good idea to take some time with Abersoch’s professional to improve your skill and mastery of the game, along with some tips on how to play some of the trickier holes!!
The Club House offers a therapeutic patio area to enjoy your food and drinks while overlooking the 1st Tee and the 12th and 18th greens. Drinks can also be enjoyed by the bar for chit chat with other members making a relaxing atmosphere for making new friends. Food and catering is also available with an extensive menu and bespoke tastes catered for.
Societies are more than welcome with some excellent deals currently being offered to play this wonderful panoramic course nestled in one of the most popular parts of North Wales.
For more information on the current offers and green fees please contact the club Secretary on 01758 712622 or email at manager@abersochgolf.co.uk. You can also examine the course more closely by going to www.abersochgolf.co.uk
A True Gem!
Award-Winning Golf With An Amazing Backdrop
You really are spoilt for choice when playing golf in Hertfordshire. Although just a thirty-minute journey from London, the county’s peaceful charm and rural elegance is refreshing. The green county offers an abundance of luscious fields and gardens with the splendid backdrop of the Chiltern Hills.
The region’s golf courses are a fine blend of heathland and woodland, with natural hazards and wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. Hertfordshire offers golf in a truly serene setting.
Porters Park Golf Club dates back to 1899 when it became one of the first golf courses on the north side of London. At this time, the golf club was founded in the grounds of the local ‘Porters’ mansion. Today the only remaining evidence of Porters mansion is an underground ice house located near the third fairway.
The clubs Parkland golf course’s early design was heavily influenced by John Henry ‘JH’ Taylor one of the great golf course architects, and Charles Kenneth Cotton who went on to become one of the UK’s most distinguished post-war golf course architects.
Picturesque, tree-lined fairways using the natural contours of the land, magnificent greens and a brook meandering through several holes are features of today’s Porters Park golf course which has hosted Open Championship Qualifying event on six occasions.
A true test of golf where accuracy and course management are essential ingredients for an enjoyable round.
The clubhouse at Porters Park was damaged by fire in 1954 with much of the original structure having to be rebuilt. A large extension of the clubhouse facilities was completed in 1990 enhancing the Club’s facilities for members and guests alike, whilst offering spectacular views across the course from the lounge and, restaurant and bar areas.
Today, the clubhouse combines tradition and modern ambience. During refurbishments and upgrades, the Club is careful to retain the clubhouse’s character that has been enjoyed by so many through the years.
The Club’s catering team provides imaginative cuisine as well as traditional favourites all of which can be served in the Club’s superbly-appointed and spacious dining room which opens on to a terrace with spectacular views across the golf course. The dining room seats 120 diners for lunches and evening meals as well as more formal occasions.
Societies and corporate groups have been welcomed to Porters Park Golf Club for over 100 years. The Club offers a range of packages covering 18, 27 and 36 holes which can be tailored to your specific requirements.
SILLOTH ON SOLWAY GOLF CLUB Station Road, Silloth. Cumbria. CA7 4AE
Cumbria is one of the most picturesque areas in England, offering quality golf courses for the enjoyment of the discerning golf
The region’s number-one ranked golf course and a regular feature in the Top 100, Silloth on Solway Golf Club is home to what is highly-regarded as one of England’s finest links courses.
Founded in 1892 with the help of Railway Company money, the Silloth course was originally designed by Davy Grant and has since evolved, with contributions from classic golf course architects, Dr Alister Mackenzie and Willie Park Jnr.
Located in one of the most pictuesque areas of England in the Cumbrian countryside and at the mouth of the Solway firth, Silloth’s fairways meander through the mature dune flora reminiscent of true links-style golf courses with tough, true greens providing a true test of links golf. With spectacular views across the firth, overlooking the Scottish Borders and Lake District, the blooming heather and patches of gorse that is in abundance make Silloth’s rolling fairways a safe haven. Add in the wind factor and you’ll rarely play to handicap. Even in the calm, Silloth is a tricky links course offering one of the most unique challenges in English golf.
Silloth on Solway Golf Club represents excellent value for money. In 2016, National Club Golfer magazine voted it the ‘No 1 Course in Britain and Ireland under £100’.
The clubhouse at Silloth was designed by Carlisle architect and club member, Walter Gibbings in 1903 was extended in 1908. Today, it retains a period atmosphere in-keeping with the true character of the Club and golf course.
One of the best links golf courses in the world
g quality golf courses for the enjoyment of the discerning golfer and visiting society groups within magnificent settings.
Overlooking the 1st fairway and the 18th green, the airy lounge has been extensively modernised with roof-space opened up to offer natural lighting.
Both visitors and members alike can also feel completely relaxed in comfortable surroundings whilst enjoying a meal in the elegantly-appointed, dining room.
With societies welcome throughout the week, Silloth on Solway Golf Club offer the perfect package of great golf and great food. The Club offer a tremendous full-day package comprising 36 holes of golf on the wonderful links golf course and beautiful food served by the Club’s team of caterers for just £94. With catering service offering mouth-watering dishes tailored to the requirements of societies and corporate guests; visitors and members alike are delighted with the quality of the cuisine blended with the magnificence of the golf course.
Silloth’s Professional team are on hand to assist with the smooth-running of the day, leaving you with peace of mind that things are taken care of and enabling you to enjoy the fantastic Silloth on Solway golf course.
For further information, please contact Silloth on Solway Golf Club 016973 31304 bookings@sillothgolfclub.co.uk www.sillothgolfclub.co.uk
NDON G OLF E C L U B
Hendon Golf Club
C L U B
FOUNDED 1903
A Harry Colt Gem
Despite its prominent location near to the business hub of the capital of England, the countryside surrounding London is home to quite a few golf courses.
A recent trend; the growing love of urban golf has seen golf in a green, countryside setting traded for the grey, stone, inner-city street courses that London offers.
It is on the outskirts of London where golf really comes into its own. It is well worth taking the time to visit the region’s selection of golf courses, many of which are designed by some of the world’s most renowned golf course architects.
The Harry Colt-designed golf course at Hendon Golf Club is a jewel in the crown of golf near the Capital. The tree-lined rolling fairways of the parkland course represent a true test of golfing and course management skills. The clubhouse provides outstanding hospitality and numerous dining options, from simple snacks through to full-service dinners. The excellentlyappointed Club Lounge, Spike Bar and large south west facing Veranda with magnificent views across the golf course, offer wonderful surroundings to relax following your round.
Set in the leafy suburb of Mill Hill, North London, the golf club dates back to 1900 when membership was just £10 per year. Since this time, the Club has been constantly evolving in terms of the course and facilities which today make Hendon Golf Club an extremely attractive proposition for an increasing number of members and visitors.
Hendon Golf Club is the perfect venue for a society or corporate golf day with an array of golf and menu options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Catering for groups of twelve visitors or more, the Club offers a range of 18, 27 and 36-hole packages which can be tailored to meet the needs of the visiting party.
Hendon’s friendly staff team are always on hand to ensure the smooth-running of your event from start to finish and aim to make every golf day at the Club special and a memorable experience for all. The team works with you to ‘custom build’ your ideal golf day with many societies returning year-after-year.
Ashley Walk, Devonshire Road. London NW7 1DG 020 8346 6023 admin@hendongolf.com www.hendongolf.com
NDON G OLF E
H C L U B
A colt gem
Barlaston Golf Club
A“hidden gem”
Located in the heart of England and accessible from the whole country, Staffordshire is a fascinating county of outstanding natural beauty. The main attraction of the landlocked county is the award-winning Alton Towers theme park but there are also plenty of accommodation deals locally including The Upper House in Barlaston and The Mill and Crown Hotels in Stone
Ideal places to base one’s golfing party would be Stafford or Stoke-on-Trent, the two biggest towns in the county. From here, the county’s luxurious fairways can be easily reached and the Staffordshire golfing challenge well and truly accepted.
Staffordshire encompasses parts of the National Forest and Peak District National Park whilst combining the wild moorlands and uplands in the north with the low undulating landscape in the south around Cannock Chase, an area of natural outstanding beauty.
Situated just outside the village of Barlaston in Staffordshire, Barlaston Golf Club features a beautiful parkland golf course. Bordered in part by the River Trent, the course demands good course management due to its challenging layout.
The course was designed by Peter Allis and built around 1972/3 and became a members club in 1987 progressing to the facility that members and visitors enjoy today.
The excellent clubhouse at Barlaston boasts a comfortable lounge bar and spacious dining room offering views across the course and practice putting green. There is also a patio for al fresco dining in the summer months overlooking the eighteenth green and fairway.
The clubhouse can provide a quality selection of drinks, snacks and meals with a regular specials board. Pams kitchen provides an excellent service for visiting societies and can offer dining packages tailored to individual needs – they invite group organiser to give them a call to discuss requirements on 01782 372867.
Societies find Barlaston’s attention to detail, flexibility and value for money ideal when organising their golfing calendar. Societies consisting of eight or more players are welcome seven days a week through a range of extensive packages combining championship golf and excellent dining options.
A very welcoming club in the south side of Glasgow
Situated five miles from the centre of Glasgow, Cowglen Golf Club was founded in 1906 and was later re-designed by legendary golf course architect, James Braid.
Today, the undulating parkland golf course with mature trees lining its fairways and excellent, true-running greens provides an interesting and varied challenge to all.
The par 70 Cowglen golf course measures 5,867 yards and boasts magnificent views over the city of Glasgow and beyond to the Scottish Highlands. Playable all year round thanks to the excellent work of the club’s green keeping staff with, the picturesque golf course presented as well in the winter months as it is in the summer.
Recognised as a Sottish Golf Development Centre in 2013, Cowglen Golf Club is also home to some great practice facilities which are unrivalled in the local area and ideal to hone one’s skills before taking on the main course. Visitors can be assured of a warm, friendly welcome at Cowglen wGolf Club making for a memorable day’s golf with many societies and guests returning to take on the fairways again.
The Cowglen clubhouse features a spacious and relaxing lounge and dining area which is open to members, visitors and their families seven days a week. The clubhouse also features a superbly-appointed, patio area to the front of the clubhouse which offers views out across the golf course inclusive of the 18th green and 1st tee.
The golf club’s dedicated and professional catering team are highly regarded throughout Lanarkshire and offer delicious snacks, light bites and tasty main dishes made using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. Cowglen also cater for large functions throughout the year with a range of menu options available.
Glasgow may surprise you…
A jewel in Glasgow’s golfing crown, Cowglen Golf Club was founded in 1906 and was later re-designed by renowned golf course architect, James Braid.
Visiting groups can enjoy a blend of traditional courses exposed to the varying wind conditions of the region and an excellent array of inland golf venues; many steeped in history and all offering a warm welcome to visiting golfers.
Boasting spectacular views over the River Clyde, the great facilities on offer in the region are coupled with the region’s close proximity to the centre of Glasgow where you can choose from a host of accommodation and entertainment providers away from the golf course.
Visiting groups are assured of a hugely enjoyable experiences at some of the region’s multi course venues and excellent stay and play resorts which combine excellent links and parkland golf courses.
Away from the hustle of bustle of central Glasgow, it is surprising to learn that the region is home to come of the most idyllic and picturesque golf courses in Scotland.
Within Glasgow, accommodation is in its abundance and is reasonably priced, coupled with Glasgow’s nightlife which is famed all over the world; golfers will feel right at home!
Why not combine the great golf that is on offer with a stay in Scotland’s largest and most lively city?
Cowglen Golf Club offers a range of society and corporate packages which can be tailored to offer a bespoke event created specifically with your group, their needs and budget in mind. Extras can be added to society and corporate packages including a professional to play alongside your group to offer encouragement, advice and on course tuition if required.
A hit the green competition can also be arranged on specific holes with winners receiving a voucher double the value of any water they make. The professional will greet your groups at the selected par three hole and, for those who hit their shot closer than the pro, they receive a prize in the clubhouse following the completion of the round. Other additional fun activities such as chipping and putting contests and the prizes to go with these can be organised with the professional team prior to the event.
The Cowglen Golf Club
301 Barrhead Rd Glasgow G43 1AU 0141 632 7463 | 0141 649 9401 secretary@cowglengolfclub.co.uk www.cowglengolfclub.co.uk
Blessed with some magnificent golf courses, glorious landscapes and vibrant towns and cities, the North East of England offers an allrounders perfect destination for a golf break.
With dozens of top notch golf courses to choose from, you are not short of options in the North East and with this quality comes great value on a variety of luxury hotels and excellent facilities.
By day;
Explore the meandering courses that are a feature of the region’s beautiful countryside of North Yorkshire and coastline of Northumberland and Durham. Whilst, away from the golf course; discover points of cultural and historical interest including the legacy of the Roman Empire and Hadrian’s Wall.
By night:
Revellers can experience the thrills of Leeds or Newcastle city centre; perfect for a night on the tiles.
Situated in Ganton in the Vale of Pickering between York and Scarborough, Ganton Golf Club is one of Britain’s very best inland golf courses and over the years, has played host to many amateur and professional golf tournaments.
Proud to have been closely linked to the history of British golf, the Ganton golf course features deep and prolific bunkers, savage rough and intimidating gorse which make the par 73 golf course, which measures 6,739 yards from the championship, white tees; an enjoyable yet testing challenge for all. Golf was first played in Ganton in the summer of 1891. The course was laid out by St Andrews’ Tom Chisolm who had assistance from Robert Bird, the club’s first professional and head green keeper.
The superbly appointed Ganton clubhouse is a shrine to golfing years gone by. The Thirsk Room boasts views across the putting green and features large patio doors leading to an outdoor terrace – perfect for al fresco eating and drinking. Here, visitors will also find photographs and original water colours of the region’s decorated golfing heritage.
The clubhouse is also home to the Vardon and Rudgard rooms which have spacious lounge areas ideal for relaxing pre or post round.
Ganton Golf Club welcomes society groups throughout the year with excellent dining packages coupled with fantastic golf to create the ideal golf day.
North Wales is littered with fine golf courses and some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole of the United Kingdom. The region’s pleasant locations, facilities and greens combine to provide a fantastic choice for a golf break whilst you can also take in the fantastic views of some of the UK’s most breath-taking countryside.
As well as the many outdoor pursuits which can be enjoyed in North Wales, the region offers visitors some of the best value green fees around. The area’s unspoiled golf courses at affordable prices encompass a variety of unique and testing challenges, from the gentle, rolling parkland courses to stunning mountain-backed links-style golf courses.
Some of the earliest golf courses in Wales can be found in the north, with many close to the Irish Sea meaning conditions can be challenging; with many golf courses set to the stunning backdrop of the surrounding mountains.
A gem in the north of Wales www.porthmadog-golf-club.co.uk
Located on the north-western side of Wales, Gwynedd is mostly located within the Snowdonia National Park with the Snowdonia mountain ranges and Cambrian coastline as the town’s magnificent backdrop. Gwynedd is home to many cultural and historical places to visit including the nearby harbour town of Porthmadog.
Situated on the Glaslyn Estuary, Porthmadog is rich in maritime history and an excellent base to exploring the surrounding area.
The superbly-appointed Porthmadog golf course and clubhouse has everything for a great day out whether with family, friends or a golf society.
Founded in 1905, Porthmadog was designed and created by legendary golf course architect, James Braid. Today, the site offers a beautiful and traditional links course which provides friendly hospitality and an enjoyable but challenging round of golf for all ages and abilities.
The par 72 Porthmadog golf course stretches over 6, 326 yards from the championship tees. The front nine is predominantly set on a heathland layout whilst, the course’s back nine has more of a links style to it. Each loop of nine provides stunning views of the Cardigan Bay coast and the Snowdonia mountain range.
The excellent Porthmadog clubhouse building features a comfortable lounge, well-appointed bars and a spacious locker room. The large modern clubhouse is extremely family-orientated and extends a warm welcome to golfers and non-golfers alike. The comfortable lounge area is completed with a relaxed atmosphere and a well-stocked bar serving a variety of ales, beers, wines and spirits. Aside from this, the spike bar has sports television and a snooker room.
The golf club’s catering team offers a varied menu suiting all pockets and palates with dining options for friends, family and more formal dining options. The club can also cater for all manner of social occasion and celebrations.
Society groups are welcome to Porthmadog Golf Club throughout the year with a variety of competitively-priced packages which can be tailored by a variety of bespoke arrangements. Discounts are available for groups of 12 or more.
Porthmadog’s friendly, dedicated professional team will also be on hand to offer their help and advice to ensure the smooth running of the golf day.
The Musselburgh Golf Club
Located just a few minutes south of Edinburgh, the Lothians region is one of Scotland’s finest golf break destinations with a choice of well over twenty-two golf courses to test all ages and abilities.
Visiting groups can enjoy a blend of traditional links exposed to the varying wind conditions of the region and an excellent array of inland golf courses; many steeped in history and all offering a warm welcome to visiting golfers. The rugged and beautiful coastline of East Lothian is affectionately known as Scotland’s Golf Coast with so much choice within an hour’s drive from the historic and lively capital city of Edinburgh and its international airport.
The interesting old market town of Musselburgh lies six miles east of Edinburgh where the River Esk meets the sea. The town is well known for golf, its famous racecourse as well as many great architectural displays.
Musselburgh really does offer something for everyone.Musselburgh Golf Club was founded in 1938 and, over the years, the course has hosted many amateur events and, on two occasions, the Scottish Professional Championship. We were the regional qualifying course between 2010 – 2012, and then the Final Qualifying course for the Open in 2013
Monktonhall | Musselburgh | EH21 6SA
The Musselburgh Golf Club
Designed by legendary golf course architect, James Braid, the Par 71, 6,725 yard Musselburgh golf course represents a challenge for even the most accomplished of golfer. Built around a bend in the River Esk, the treelined but generous fairways see many of the Club’s visitors return year-after-year.
The superb, white building that houses Musselburgh’s clubhouse overlooks the eighteenth green. With daily menus catering for all manner of dining occasions, the clubhouse offers a spacious, comfortable space to relax pre or post round. The clubhouse complex hosts a well stocked professional shop with equipment and clothing from the game’s leading manufacturers.
Only 20 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh and 30 minutes from Edinburgh Airport, the Musselburgh Golf Club is easily accessed by visitors to the East Lothian region.
Guests are made most welcome every day of the week, except for Saturdays which are reserved for members’ competitions.
The Club offers an array of day tickets and society packages which can be tailored to meet the needs and budgets of the visiting party and, with experience of catering for all manner of events, visiting groups can enjoy everything from a simple bacon roll and coffee on arrival to a light lunch or two course meal in formal settings following completion of their round.
