Whittington Heath says farewell to Head Greenkeeper

WIN A Sunday Driver break for 2

Oswestry GC – Braid’s Shropshire Gem

Be on course with the WTX+

GOLFBUDDY ADDS TO MOST ADVANCED GPS WATCH WITH THE WTX+

GolfBuddy, the world-leading developer of distance measuring devices made exclusively for golfers, is upgrading its most advanced GPS watch with the introduction of the WTX+.

The WTX+ takes the market leading functionality of the WTX and adds in technical and aesthetic features that elevate it further. The primary technical development for the WTX+ is the improved antenna strength which speeds up the time for it to find a course or, heaven forbid you stray off your own fairway, the time to work out distances to the hole from your angle of attack. This improved functionality builds on market leading features such as touchscreen, full hole view with golfer’s position, distances to front, centre, back and hazards, shot distance measurement and pin position selection. WTX+ also offers smart phone compatibility with on course updates available for download automatically via Bluetooth and fitness watch features such as odometer and GPS tracking.

Golfbuddy wtx+

The second area for upgrade is the new look of the WTX+. The watch has a stylish new strap and a new metallic finish for the bezel which improves the aesthetic and makes it a very wearable everyday watch when not in golf mode. The new look combines superbly with the extra skins that can be selected for the watch face and with an extended battery life, the WTX+ is perfect for everyday use.

Golfbuddy wtx+

With GolfBuddy’s renowned accuracy, some of the most advanced features on the market, great pricing and U.K. dedicated customer support WTX+ is set to build on the success of the WTX and give GolfBuddy a great finish to the season

SRP: £219.99

www.golfbuddy.co.uk

 

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Ilkley

MG in Leeds (Best of the Rest)

A wealth of further quality golf locations in and around Leeds, many of them bearing the stamp of Mackenzie quality. A great selection here including two very famous venues from a little further afield in Yorkshire. As on the header page contact Mike at White Rose Golf Breaks for the latest package deals  https://midlandsgolfer.co.uk/mg-city-breaks-leeds/

Fulford Golf Club

Founded in 1906, Fulford lies just one mile from the centre of York making it an ideal venue for visitors throughout the year. The club regularly achieves a ‘Top 100’ status for courses in England and is widely regarded as one of the best inland courses in Britain.

Acclaimed golf course architect Martin Ebert has been overseeing an ongoing project at the historic club. The alterations have meant the course has seen numerous changes over recent years, bunker modifications have further improved the course, resulting in a revitalised challenge that members and visitors have appreciated.

Fulford offers a warm welcome to visitors all year round and is often a popular venue for society and corporate golf. There are a range of set packages to choose from and also the opportunity to offer the true ‘Fulford experience’ with tailor-made packages available on request.  Please contact 01904 413579 for further details or visit www.fulfordgolfclub.co.uk.

Fulford

Headingley Golf Club

Founded in 1892 Headingley is the oldest golf club in Leeds, set on the edge of the beautiful suburbs of Adel and Alwoodley and five miles from the city centre.

The course was laid out and shaped in the early 20th Century by a number of eminent architects including Dr Alister MacKenzie and Harry S. Colt. In a completely rural setting the course boasts many memorable holes which make full use of the varied and dramatic terrain. The moorland and heathland character also make it very good for year-round play. Although the layout is presented in a traditional style it has also been improved to meet modern standards and therefore will appeal to purists and modern golfers alike. Headingley has a wonderful friendly reputation and you can be assured of a warm welcome.

Headingley

Ilkley Golf Club

If you are playing golf in Yorkshire then a visit to Ilkley is a must. Nestled in the beautiful Wharfe Valley with the famous Moor as a backdrop, Ilkley is one of the most picturesque courses in the country.

With a par of 69 and a standard scratch of 70, the 6276-yard course is a great deal more difficult than it might first appear. Testament to this is the fact that the course record of 64 was set by Honorary Life Member Colin Montgomerie in 2000. As it sits next to the River Wharfe, the course benefits from being on river sand, which means it drains extremely well, enabling it to remain open in all but the most extreme weather conditions. In fact, Ilkley is often open when many other courses are closed.

It is also quick and easy to get around, it is relatively flat and there is no thick rough, so ball searching is kept to a minimum.

Ilkley

Ganton Golf Club

A little further away but Ganton is golfing royalty and one of the top courses in the United Kingdom.  Set in the beautiful Vale of Pickering, only seven miles inland from the North Sea with views of the North York Moors & the Yorkshire Wolds, it is a true inland links with fast running fairways & firm quick greens. Deep and prolific bunkers, savage rough and impenetrable gorse have made for a searching examination of the game’s best players.

The Clubhouse contains a lot of memorabilia about the history of the club and the events that have been played here, including a room dedicated specifically to Harry Vardon who won three of his Open Championships and the US Open whilst he was the professional at the club.

Ganton is proud to have been so closely linked with the story of British golf & looks forward to welcoming golfers who wish to play this great course.

Ganton

Shipley Golf Club

Situated near Bingley West Yorkshire Shipley is used regularly by the Bradford and Yorkshire Unions and was designed by the legendary Dr Alister MacKenzie. It is one of the most picturesque and challenging tests of golf in Yorkshire.

We can arrange golf (including some Saturdays after 2.00pm) with accommodation at the Mercure Hotel (five minutes from the club.) We can also arrange a round at another local course if required – if you are visiting the area please consider Shipley.

Contact Mike Brown Manager 01274 568652 office@shipleygc.co.uk

Testimonial July 2017

Just a short note to let you know our visiting group had a fantastic day at Shipley Golf Club today. As you know we have visited you previously and always thoroughly enjoyed your venue but I have to say the clubhouse, course and staff have exceeded past visits.

The club refurbishment is magnificent with 5 star comfort; the course was impeccably presented and a joy to play; and your staff a pleasure to do business with. Hopefully we will be back. I will have no hesitation in recommending your club to others.

Many thanks. Mick Green, Howley Hall

 Shipley

Sandmoor Golf Club

Sand Moor is an Alister MacKenzie designed course, created in 1926, situated 5 miles north of Leeds City Centre, with stunning views over Eccup reservoir.

Changes to the course took place in the late 1960’s with advice from Henry Cotton and it is currently being updated by Andy Watson Golf Design, to help the course stay abreast of modern day equipment whilst remaining loyal to the original concept.

Sand Moor is an 18 hole Championship course, measuring 6,446 yards, consisting of three par 5’s, eleven par 4’s and four par 3 holes.

It was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie in 1926 – who sat on the very first Greens Committee at the club – and famously went on to design Augusta National. The course is perhaps better known for its four challenging Mackenzie created par threes – Each one varies in length, style and offers a different challenge.

The club has been fully refurbished in recent years and has excellent catering to complement our fantastic course.
We look forward to offering you exceptional Yorkshire hospitality in the near future.

Sand Moor

 

 

 

 

Rowallan Castle

It’s a natural thing to be drawn to the links venues of Ayrshire, they are the headline grabbers in this region with two Open Championship venues and a wealth of quality neighbours too. But not everyone prefers golf by the seaside, for the parkland lovers there is much to admire too. 


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One of Ayrshire’s newer golf courses, a modern design set on historic land. Rowallan Castle itself which overlooks the majority of the golf holes here has origins dating back to the 13th century, taking it’s present form in 1513. It is available to hire for golfing parties wishing to immerse themselves in the past medieval style, plus some golf of course!

I enjoyed a beautifully sunny autumn trek around Rowallan, only opened in 2011 and designed to a very high spec by Colin Montgomerie. The lie of the gently undulating land is used to great effect and it’s very much a layout of nearly two halves. The first eight holes swing around the estate’s interior, large free formed bunkers and regular water hazards are in the mix and the first and eighth are beauties for entirely different reasons.

The ninth sends you out into the open, holes lengthen and become far more exposed to the elements on higher ground. But you also get some great views too across the east Ayrshire countryside, and a clear day gives regular reminders that your really not that far away from the seaside.

A splendid quirk about Rowallan is that they seem to have thought of GolfExpress before anyone else did. In it’s current shape, if you wanted to play a quick nine it’s not really possible. So they made an extra hole, running a flat par three along the castle grounds, you can add that to the first eight, not a problem anymore if you only have two hours to spare.

The ’20th hole’ is an ultra modern facility and the food is wonderful if the delicious ciabatta roll I enjoyed after play is indicative of the menu as a whole.


Rowallan Castle – Rowallan Castle, Kilmarnock KA3 2LP

Telephone: 01563 530 550   –   Email: david@rowallancastle.com   –   Website: www.rowallancastle.com


Championship Course

  • Par 71 and 6968 yards
  • The course was designed by Colin Montgomerie
  • Rowallan’s clubhouse is nestled between the ‘old’ 13th Century Castle and the ‘new’ 19th Century Castle.
  • The course has stunning views out to Ailsa Craig and Arran
  • From the Championship Tees the course stretches out to 7000 yards

Congu C.S.S.: Blue 75, White 74, Yellow 72, Red 76

 

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Largs Golf Club

It’s a natural thing to be drawn to the links venues of Ayrshire, they are the headline grabbers in this region with two Open Championship venues and a wealth of quality neighbours too. But not everyone prefers golf by the seaside, for the parkland lovers there is much to admire too.


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You don’t actually leave the seaside too far behind when you visit Largs, very much a parkland course, but one with a permanent sea view too. The club is situated on the road into the resort town and boasts lovely views across the Clyde Estuary over to the isles of Cumbrae, Bute and Arran.

With a forestry and bracken/fern backdrop on the opposite side it’s a beautiful setting to enjoy a round of golf and the superb standard of course conditioning from tee to green will only enhance your playing experience further. Spencer and I enjoyed an autumn game at Largs, the weather treated us kindly so we were more than able to see and play it at it’s best. An uphill par three to start with, it’s a tricky club selection test but the climb does guarantee a wonderful tee shot sight from the next hole which plunges back down the bank, one for the long hitters to enjoy.

The height of the test comes mid stretch with a trio of holes the locals have christened as Largs’ very own ‘Amen Corner’. Two demanding carries over the rushing burn to the putting surfaces at nine and 10, then an uphill stroke index one 11th through the tree lined fairway to a very distant green. All par fours – for us, three fives would have earned high fives – we didn’t get close.

To conclude, a lovely finishing trio of shortish fours, climbing gently back to the clubhouse, good putting tests all, the greens are quite wonderful here.

Largs has a great autumn look but this place isn’t called ‘Scotland’s Augusta’ for nothing, if you do book a trip for summer 2017, prepare for an explosion of colour!


Largs Golf Club – Irvine Road, Largs, Aryshire KA30 8EU

Telephone: 01475 673 594   –   Email: professional@largsgolfclub.co.uk   –   Website: www.largsgolfclub.co.uk


Largs (18 holes)

  • Par 70 and 6150 yards
  • Established in 1891
  • The superb 18-hole parkland course has been rated as the best conditioned in West of Scotland
  • The course offers a fair but rewarding challenge for golfers of all abilities

Congu C.S.S.: White 71, Yellow 69, Red 73

 

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