MGALS – Menai Magic – September 18/19th
It has always been the remit of Midlands Golfer magazine to offer golfing experiences for our readers and followers and both Bull Bay and Henllys golf clubs in Anglesey certainly offered them all that in September during our latest MGALS two-day outing, our first in North Wales.
The MGALS (Midlands Golfer Amateur Ladies Society) were formed in 2017 by Midlands Golfer lady editor Mandy Ambert and since then she has collected lady members and keen golfing travellers from a range of local golf clubs. In recent times the ladies have been joined in ever greater numbers by their husbands and/or male golfing partners. The MGALS is now just as much a mixed society as it is ladies.
They all expressed a wish to sample different areas away from the Midlands on occasions to broaden their golfing experiences, this first one we’ve ran in North Wales is unlikely to be the last.
Menai Magic day 1 took us to the wonderful clifftop with sea view charms of Bull Bay GC, Wales’ most northerly golfing point. We arrived to a huge film crew on the car park, blanketed in privacy as apparently some famous actors were present. Needless to say, we tried our hardest to find out who but to no avail. So on to the golf, Bacon Baps on arrival and off out into a gale force wind which saw umbrellas, trolleys and golfers challenged to say the least.
The course as always was in excellent condition, and we all returned to the clubhouse to a hearty meal and a huge handful of gratitude from the players having relished (and survived) the challenging conditions.
The following day, incredibly lucky as we anticipated persistent rain, but it held off sufficiently for us to enjoy a further 18 holes of golfing and soak up the amazing views at Henllys GC. The scenic parkland course had held up great at the end of a week of windy and rainy conditions and we were able to enjoy a full length round. The ladies also indulged in the pro shop for discounted clothing and shoes.
Everyone commented on the hospitality and great local accommodation with plans to return, and as both Anglesey clubs invest in the magazine, we were happy to bring one of our events to them.
Big thanks go to Natalie and Jon at Bull Bay and Peter, Dave and Christine at Henllys.
A big plus for me personally was the Aber Falls Marmalade Gin which was nectar for someone (myself) who hasn’t drank gin in two years!
ABOUT THE VENUES
A spectacular looking Herbert Fowler 1913 design, Bull Bay is set on a hillside on natural upland links land overlooking the Irish Sea. Golfers can look forward to a unique challenge, 18 holes full of character and completely natural, untouched by time rugged coastline beauty. Your shot-making talents will be tested to the extreme and save a little energy and some charge on your phone to enjoy and photograph Bull Bay’s awesome downbank signature 18th, an inspirational finishing hole.
Henllys GC is something of an under the radar treasure amongst the better known clubs and courses in North Wales. A parkland layout which boasts quite gorgeous views of the Menai Straits with a Snowdonian backdrop at the beginning and end of your round. In between, a windy and gently undulating pathway inland and back again, the highlight being a little loop of three holes from 11 to 13 where the tall pines come along and whisk you off into a landscape akin to a Scottish glen.
The MGALS (Midlands Golfer Amateur Ladies Society) for ladies and mixed golfing pairs will return in 2026 with three new events, two one-day get-togethers in the Midlands and one further 36-hole golfing break.
Email organiser Mandy at ladyeditor@midlandsgolfer.co.uk for information, event news and how to become an MGALS member. There are no age, gender or golfing ability barriers to become a member, just have a good sense of fun, there’s always lots of that!
