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West Midlands Golfer Magazine

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Page 1: West Midlands Golfer Magazine
Page 2: West Midlands Golfer Magazine
Page 3: West Midlands Golfer Magazine
Page 4: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

4 september-october • 2009

We welcome you to the first ever magazine

devoted to golf in the West Midlands region. A bi-monthly publication available to read from now in the pro shops and clubhouses from each of the 250+ golfing establishments in Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands county itself.

The success of our first publication Staffordshire Golfer has led us to take confident strides into a much bigger region, we will feature in-depth course reviews, focus on regional golf news and tales from clubhouses far and wide, the ‘geared up’ section will focus on new equipment and golfing gadgets in the marketplace, instruction columns will be introduced as well as a bit of light heartedness at times.

A regular society section will be a permanent feature starting from this issue, the centre pages hold many examples of group golf locations at their finest with many more lined up for future issues.

Staffordshire Golfer wouldn’t be the success it is without the help of its readers; their news, opinions and feedback have been instrumental in its growth and reputation. We welcome all similar interactivity with all of West Midlands golfing population, send your news and views to us at [email protected].

We hope you enjoy our first of many issues devoted to all things golf in the West Midlands and if you are reading this and thinking that your club would look good in it, your probably right and we would be very grateful if you could persuade your secretaries to give us a call! A big thanks to everyone who has contributed already and to all golfers out there, enjoy a successful playing Autumn.

Editor:

Phil Nicholas

Euan StubbsManaging [email protected]

Phillip NicholasManaging [email protected]

Jane StubbsBusiness Development [email protected] Ange [email protected]

Alexander BarasArt [email protected]

West Midlands GolferSt James HouseWebberley Lane Stoke-on-TrentStaffordshireST3 1RJ

t:01782597000

Page 5: West Midlands Golfer Magazine
Page 6: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

6 september-october • 2009

The actual county of West Midlands sits right in the middle of the area surrounded by all the other counties in our region. Small in size yet heavily populated, an almost totally urban area containing the cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. It is a little confusing where the boundaries are, Coventry is often considered part of Warwickshire,

Wolverhampton’s courses are included in Staffordshire’s list and the black country merges into Worcestershire. However, it is an area best known for its mazy motorway networks, tower blocks and contemporary architecture, the most populated conurbation outside London. There are areas of green belt land though, notably the ‘Meridien Gap’ between

Approx Population: 2,600,000

Cities: Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry

Towns: Walsall, West Bromwich, Solihull

Landmarks: Coventry Cathedral, Dudley Castle

Tourist Spots: Cadbury World (Bourneville, Birmingham), Sutton Park (Sutton Coldfield)

Notable Courses: Little Aston (Sutton Coldfield), Sandwell Park (West Bromwich)

One we like the look of: Moseley Golf Club (Kings Heath)

West Midlands

Birmingham and Coventry and the Sandwell Valley near West Bromwich.

There is still lots of room too for golf courses and West Midlands has plenty of them, the vast majority tree-lined parkland affairs with plentiful water features. A few pleasant surprises await golfers in the centre of West Midlands.

Little Aston

A highly regarded and exceptionally well looked after lay out, made beautiful by plentiful mature trees and stunning water features, ranked in the top 60 of the UK’s finest courses.

Sandwell Park

A wooded heathland course with natural undulating fairways and speedy contoured putting surfaces, hard to believe its in the heart of West Midland’s urban jungle

Moseley

A picturesque pleasure of a course with tree lined fairways and many bunkers adding a fair amount of hazards, clever imaginative design has produced a rich mixture of holes to suit all.

Page 7: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

Known as “The Heart of England” or “Shakespeare’s County”, Warwickshire is a medium sized county of much diversity from the industrial and market towns of the North through to the tourist hot spots of the Centre to the rural countryside of the South.

The River Avon runs through its heart and 4 different canals have

routes through the county. No major cities anymore since Coventry was swallowed up by West Midlands although many still consider it part of Warwickshire.

Obviously it’s Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick that draw the visitors but the county has many other

Warwickshire

attractions for all the family in addition to its 50+ golf courses.

For a county famous for the town that invented a well known sport with an oval ball it possesses an excellent variety of lay outs to suit those favouring ones with dimples; including some well-known championship venues.

The Belfry

No intro needed really, but three superb 18 hole courses suiting all abilities, great hotel and facilities and tons of memorable history making it a mecca for any golf lover.

Forest of Arden

A great two courses and hotel make it an excellent play and stay venue, the Arden course has hosted the British Masters therefore is very tough, but also very very good.

Maxstoke

A course set in the grounds of the imposing Maxstoke castle, beautiful in looks and challenging in playability. Two large lakes and tall trees dominate its pretty manicured landscape.

west midlands Golfer

county intros

7

Approx Population:

Towns:

Landmarks:

Tourist Spots:

Notable Courses:

One we like the look of:

525,000

Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington Spa

Royal Shakespeare Company, Rugby School

Warwick Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon

The Belfry (Wishaw), Forest of Arden (Meriden)

Maxstoke Park (Coleshill)

Page 8: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

8 september-october • 2009

Worcestershire is a fairly small county of typical Midlands’s contrast that from North to South via the M5 takes you from the end of the urban Birmingham and West Midlands area and its commuter towns through the rolling Malvern Hills and Vale of Evesham to the start of the Cotswolds and provides a picturesque gateway to the West Country. The River Severn is at its most impressive, flowing

through Worcester City as well as other towns and much of the counties tourism is based around the waterway. The fruit orchards around the Vale of Evesham produce apples and the renowned Worcester Pear whilst further North the famous Worcester Sauce is produced.

The recession has sadly claimed one of the region’s most well-known exports,

Worcestershire

Royal Worcester porcelain which closed earlier this year.

There are 37 courses in the county, the vast majority in the North and although the Southern end looks likely to present more in the way of scenic splendour there are some well known and respected establishments at the top end that hold their own among West Midlands finest.

Kings Norton

A dazzling mix of 27 holes plus a par three course, a lengthy challenge too, each course ends with a long par 5, a well maintained parkland test where boredom won’t ever be an issue

The Worcestershire

Set at the foot of the Malvern Hills Worcestershire’s oldest club offers a tree lined examination with lots of well placed little hazards, concentration is a must, especially as the stunning surroundings could prove a distraction.

Redditch

A part parkland, part wooded challenge with testing long tree lined fairways and highly regarded putting surfaces. Straight hitting is crucial for success.

Approx Population:

Cities:

Towns:

Landmarks:

Tourist Spots:

Notable Courses:

One we like the look of:

560,000

Worcester

Kidderminster, Redditch, Evesham

Worcester Cathedral, Malvern Hills

West Midlands Safari Park (Kidderminster), Severn Valley Railway

Kings Norton Golf Club (Alvechurch), The Worcestershire Golf Club (Malvern)

Redditch Golf Club

Page 9: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

The Birthplace of Charles Darwin and England’s largest inland county Shropshire is a predominately rural region and features historic towns, ancient landmarks and areas of outstanding natural beauty. The North of the county contains the majority of the towns and the tourist spots while down south it’s mostly unspoilt countryside

and rolling hills. The River Severn and the Shropshire Union Canal are its notable waterways. A few smaller towns worth a visit include Bridgnorth, perched above a cliff which is also the starting point for The Severn Valley Railway and Ludlow with its spectacular Castle and famous annual arts festival.

Shropshire

Many places to visit and things to do all over the county and its 26 golf courses are also evenly spread around its four corners. The quality and variety of Shropshire’s lay outs is outstanding, the various designs take advantage of the natural surroundings of the county, the green fields of Shropshire present an exciting golfing test waiting to be discovered.

Hill Valley

A 36 hole Shropshire golfing and leisure complex with two variable courses suitable for players of all standards, the shorter Sapphire course and The Emerald, a long championship track with natural water features.

The Shropshire

Three Nine hole courses give variety and challenges galore at a tree lined lay out with plenty of water hazards too. A 13 hole Par Three course completes a 40 hole test of your game.

Bridgnorth

One of the older Shropshire tracks, designed in 1889, this is as picturesque as it gets, an partly undulating parkland treat set alongside the River Severn with newly re laid USPGA standard greens.

west midlands Golfer

county intros

9

Approx Population:

Towns:

Landmarks:

Tourist Spots:

Notable Courses:

One we like the look of:

450,000

Telford, Shrewsbury, Oswestry

Wrekin Hill, Offa’s Dyke

Ironbridge, Hawkstone Park and Follies

Hill Valley (Whitchurch), The Shropshire (Telford)

Bridgnorth Golf Club

Page 10: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

10 september-october • 2009

Herefordshire is a quiet unspoilt county of rolling fields, farmland and winding country lanes. The Cathedral City of Hereford is the only real built-up area; the rest of the county is made up of a few small towns and many quiet villages and hamlets. The River Wye dominates the landscape in the middle and south of the county and provides natural beauty, as

well as one of the most popular Canoeing locations in England.

The fertile soils, climate and waterways make a winning combination for locally produced fine foods and drink. Herefordshire is a major cider producer, 65% of the stuff drank in the UK is made here and the world’s biggest cider

Herefordshire

company Bulmer’s is based here. Close to its borders are the Forest of Dean to the South-East and The Brecon Beacons and South Wales to the South-West.

As for the golf, Herefordshire contains just ten courses although at first glance it looks like they are some quality; we look forward to finding out.

South Herefordshire An all year round, all ability challenge on a recently improved lay out featuring magnificent views of three counties. A manicured 18 hole challenge maturing all the time, a 9 hole par three course and driving range

Kington On the Welsh border this is the highest course in England, a natural inland links delight with amazing views and all year round greens. Some tricky holes but not as hilly to walk as it may seem, a fun challenge.

Belmont A picture postcard parkland course of two halves, a high up and undulating front nine followed by a back nine down in the valley with the lovely River Wye dominating the landscape.

Approx Population:

Cities:

Towns:

Landmarks:

Tourist Spots:

Notable Courses:

One we like the look of:

180,000

Hereford

Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, Leominster

Hereford Cathedral, Goodrich Castle

The Wye Valley, The Cider Route, Symonds Yat

South Herefordshire (Ross-on-Wye), Kington (Bradnor Hill) The highest course in EnglandBelmont Lodge (Hereford)

Page 11: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

west midlands Golfer

MIDLANDS PGA TOUR

11

Pos. Name Represents Points Played Break- Down

1 Craig Shave (BRT) WHETSTONE GC 710.00 3 »»

2 Lee Clarke (BRT) Beeston Fields GC 680.00 3 »»

3 Paul Wesselingh (ENG) Kedleston Park Golf Club 590.00 3 »»

4 Mark Mouland (WAL) NAILCOTE HALL HG&CC 500.00 3 »»

5 Cameron Clark (SCO) MOOR HALL GC 485.00 3 »»

6 James Whatley (BRT) East Midlands Golf Academy 480.00 3 »»

7 Simon Lilly (ENG) WELLINGBOROUGH GC 454.50 3 »»

8 Jason Powell (WAL) Hinckley GC 422.50 3 »»

9 Steve Carter (ENG) THE SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE GC 404.50 3 »»

10 Daniel Greenwood (ENG) Forest Pines GC 375.00 3 »»

Upcoming PGA events09/09/2009 Peterborough Milton Pro Am11/09/2009 Brocton Hall Pro Am22/09/2009 Olton Pro Am23/09/2009 COLD ASHBY TOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS Pro Am, Cold Ashby GC02/10/2009 Kirby Muxloe Pro Am - NEW DATE (noon shotgun)There are still places available for in the following tournaments. Contact Jon Sewell at regional headquarters on 01455 824393

West Midlands Golfer magazine with the kind permission of the Midlands PGA will be running a regular column all about the Midlands Tour and focussing on its major tournaments and the players who ply their trade on it. Most are club pros from all of the 10 counties that make up the whole region, yet the well run tour is more than just a way of earning an extra few bob, for the very successful guys it can be a passport to bigger and better things in the world of professional golf.

The packed schedule of the tournament season consists of many pro-ams and one-off championships on a huge variety of lay-outs. However the really serious business comes in the way of a five tournament order of merit where big purses are on offer and more importantly a way in to the more lucrative tours out there. The winner of the order of merit gets an automatic invite to the PGA Championship at Wentworth next May and the top three go into the national regional play-offs with more full European Tour event invites on offer.

At the end of May the 1st order of merit tournament the Glazerite Trophy at Wellingborough GC proved to be a benchmark for the season’s tussles ahead as Beeston Field’s Lee Clarke prevailed in a play-off against Simon Lilly from the home club with Craig Shave and Paul Wesselingh joint third in the 36 hole event.

June 3rd-5th at South Staffordshire GC saw the richest ever Midlands tour event, the PTS Invitational boasted a prize fund of £17,000 and produced an exciting championship covered on Sky Sports with a three way play off at the end of 54 holes. Clarke was there again with Shave ( Whetstone GC ) and Wesselingh ( Kedleston Park ) for company. It was Shave who held his nerve at the first play off hole, his long putt won the day and took him to the top of the order of merit.

At the Midlands Masters in mid July the tight finishing theme continued with another three way tie on the leaderboard at the end of 36 holes at Kedleston Park. Shave was present again alongside Daniel Greenwood ( Forest Pines ) but it was South Staffordshires Steve Carter with a amazing and very timely chip in who won the tournament. Shave however strengthened his position at the top of the table with two events to go.

Craig Shave admires the PTS Invitational trophy after his play-off victory over Lee Clarke and

Paul Wesselingh

Lee Clarke, winner Glazerite Trophy at Wellingborough Steve Carter

Page 12: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

12 september-october • 2009

Based at Meriden, in an oasis of countryside calm between Birmingham’s

motorway networks and airport Stonebridge is prime parkland, a West Midlands golf location offering a variety of challenges from its 27 holes and fine practice facilities.

Originally designed as a 18 hole course in 1990 Stonebridge’s popularity enabled it to increase in size in 2007 when 9 holes were added and now the golf club presents 3 loops of 9 from which any two can make up an 18.

In no particular order and from the White Tees The Somers Course is 3,316 yards in length, Par 37, The Hampton Course is 2,786 yards long and a Par 33 and The Blythe Course measures in at 2,757 and is also a Par 33. The nine new holes have added a contrasting dimension to the otherwise parkland surroundings and given parts of the Hampton and Blythe Courses a highly attractive and very challenging inland links look about them.

This eclectic mixture of holes will provide a good test of golf to all standards of player. Mature oak trees, lakes and streams frame the landscape and ensure a picturesque yet hazard packed test awaits around every corner.

The Somers Course presents comfortably the longest test with three Par 5s and a long Par 4, 6th hole against the wind. It is all pretty much out there in front of you though; long hitters will find it to their liking, the long Par 5, 7th is an attractive hole with two mid fairway oak trees to demand some careful placement if you are to set up a good birdie chance on the undulating green. Watch out too at the short Par 4, 9th, if the wind is blowing strongly against you from the tee as it was for us then carrying the pond situated across the fairway may prove to be a stiffer challenge than it first appears.

After quite a comfortable and generous start at The Hampton Course the links features kick in mid-round, tall mounds and dunes appear to block your view,

OasisAn Urban

Page 13: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

Stonebridge

13west midlands Golfer

wispy tall grasses flourish in the breeze and finding a flat lie for approach shots is no mean feat. Nevertheless it all looks stunning and plays very nicely, you need a bit of luck with your bounces yet there’s some great holes and coupled with attractive water features and those always appealing greens The Hampton is a little gem of a nine holer, short but very sweet and the lack of length is certainly no guarantee of a good score.

The Blythe follows along similar lines to the Hampton, not too taxing again in terms of length yet challenging nonetheless with three good length Par 3s to test your iron play and accuracy as there isn’t a lot of room for error. The walk from the 8th to the closing hole takes you past Stonebridge’s large fishing lake. At the 9th one final test awaits, a slightly dog legged Par 4 where tee shot placement is important if you are to give yourself the best chance of a short iron ap-proach over the tree surrounded pond that guards the putting surface. It’s a fitting end to 27 well designed and well main-tained holes that will provide a good examination of your skills. Excellent drainage and those fine greens ensure year round playability.

Off course practice facilities here are first class. Putting and chipping greens with a bunker for your short game are situated in front of a 21 bay floodlit driving range with a surprise in store. Not only does it have automated power tees it is set in front of a lake with buoys for yardage markers! Never have we come across this before and it proved to be a fun and liberating experience actually aiming for a watery grave as opposed to nervously trying to stay out of one.

As an all round golf centre Stonebridge has much going for it, the variable mix of its three nine hole loops, great facilities and an easy going club atmosphere will ensure that golfers of all ages and abilities will keep it high on their priority lists for years to come.

There is one constant theme that runs through the layouts however. The consistently superb standard of the putting surfaces on all three courses is a most impressive stand out feature at Stonebridge. There is plenty of variety in terms of size and curvature on the greens yet the quality and even pace is always present in addition to some welcome receptiveness.

The large modern clubhouse caters for all tastes with a well stocked pro shop, Spike Bar for drinks and Bridge restaurant with a great A La Carte menu and enough space for functions and weddings too. Rooms are available also for societies and corporate golf occasions. The club shop has recently become a custom fitting centre; new clubs can be fitted and tested at the driving range and on the courses before purchase.

Oasis

Page 14: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

14

How Muchfor Everything?

september-october • 2009

Welcome to West Midlands Golfer`s very own geared up section. Over the coming months we will be looking at all the latest gear from all the top

manufacturers and we will tell you what hot and what`s not!

This issue we start with an improbable question we would all like to ask,

We are all too aware that technology over the last 10 years has changed the game of golf, but how much would it really cost if you had everything you could wish for. So imagine walking into a golfing superstore and having a blank cheque signed by your bank manager (If Only), and you are charged with kitting yourself out from tees to clubs and everything that goes with it.

This issue we focus on the clubs.

Just in case you win the lottery we have put together our dream golfing gear, enjoy!

IronsOk so to play golf the first things you will need are clubs, but with so many different styles, brands and indeed shapes how do you choose?

Simple......... Custom fit is the only real way to make sure the clubs you choose are the correct ones and have the same experience as the pros do. In some cases, it may take a little longer to get the club`s but trust us it will be well worth the wait. We looked at all the clubs on the market place and for us the new Nike VR Full cavity irons were our favourite!

Best Price £299

Page 15: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

geared Up!

15west midlands Golfer

WedgesGone are the days when buying a set of irons included a sand wedge. It is up to you to pick the wedge or wedges. So we got to it and started trawling through the huge amount on offer.

There are so many good offerings around you are spoilt for choice. We decided on the Titleist vokey spin milled tour chrome wedge, because it looks superb and has a great feel around the green.

PutterOk now your new shiny irons are sorted it’s time to find a putter. Putting is probably the most im-portant element of golf and it is no surprise that world number 1 Tiger Woods is also the best putter in the world. So if like us you are used to traditional looking putters you may be shocked when looking for the latest and greatest putter on the market.

There are some very unusual shapes around and it has to be said some very ugly putters. But times change and we are opened minded about the new styles, after all it works for the pros!

We looked at 3 brands Yes, Titleist and Odyssey. All have a huge selec-tion of the world’s best putters, but which one would we buy?

Simple................................... None, all the brands had some fantastic putters and you would not go far wrong with any of them, but half way through my shopping spree we were handed the new Rossa - Monza Spider Balero Putter by Taylormade!

This thing looks weird no doubt! But unlike some of the new putters it does look good when address-ing the ball and the results were fantastic! So this makes its way in to the bag.

Many of us when shopping will be drawn to the driver and woods sec-tion. These are the clubs we hit time and time again hoping to get much needed length and accuracy.

Best Price £79.99

Best Price £199

Page 16: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

16 september-october • 2009

HybridsSo let’s start with hybrids. These clubs have become the alternative to those hard to hit long irons and have found their way in to the bags of the top professionals the world over.

There are huge ranges in hybrid golf clubs and every manufacturer claims to have to have the most forgiving yet. Some of the descriptions stated that you can use from any lie! (which is some feat considering some of the lie`s we find).

They were all great clubs but we went with the New Cobra Baffler TWS which offered everything you will ever need from a hybrid.

Best Price £99

FairwaysFairway woods are very important giving us much needed distance without reaching for the driver all the time. Now once again manufacturers have challenged the boundaries recently with editions like the Callaway FT-I squareway – fairway, it really is down to personal preference. After trying all sorts of drivers I had to revert to a more conventional shape. We say hello to yet another manufacturer in Callaway with the new Diablo. This club looks fantastic at address and feels just as good at impact.

Best Price £139

Page 17: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

geared Up!

17west midlands Golfer

DriverThis has to be the funnest club to buy when shopping for new clubs. Drivers come in all shapes nowadays and boy was it fun trying them all. With so many it was going to be hard to pick a winner so we picked 3!

All of these drivers are fantastic and fitted with all of the latest technology.

Nike GolfSQ Dymo STR8-Fit Driver

Best Price £259

Best Price £199

Best Price £279

SummaryThe clubs we have chosen were the ones that suited our game best, however when making a significant investment in clubs we always recommend getting your clubs custom fitted.Be sure you read the next issue as we will be continuing our pursuit of the perfect golf bag.

TaylorMadeR9 460 Driver Titleist

909D Comp Driver

Page 18: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

18 september-october • 2009

There are many fine Worcestershire courses we’re relishing a visit too, the Worcestershire

Golf Club is the southern most of them all and its stunning setting we doubt could be

eclipsed by any of the others. Set at the foot of the Malvern Hills and boasting many

wonderful views from its raised tees of the Vale of Evesham and the neighbouring

countryside, visitors and societies are pre-warned that their concentration levels will

need to be spot on to avoid the distraction of their surroundings.

Page 19: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

THE WORCESTERSHIRE

19west midlands Golfer

The Worcestershire is one of England’s Top Ten oldest courses and we believe possibly the oldest in our entire region. Founded in 1879 and originally laid out on Malvern Common the club moved to its present site at Wood Farm in 1927. The course was originally designed by the renowned pairing of Harry Colt and James Braid, features some Mackenzie greens and is an undulating parkland treat featuring many mature trees and occasional brooks and ponds, traditionally classic in looks and a stout challenge in playability.

A first glance at the scorecard is likely to give you optimism for a low scoring start as three-quarters of the Par 3s are situated in the first 8 holes and in addition there is also three Par 4s under 400 yards. Yet you will soon find out looks can be very deceiving, fairways are narrow, it’s very undulating with raised greens demanding a high level of precision on approach shots. This high part of the course also presents the extra challenge of some swirling breezes especially on those Par 3s from sheltered tees across valleys to elevated putting surfaces, correct club selection is at its peak of importance.

Worth mentioning early is the fine quality of the greens and the bunkers. The Worcestershire doesn’t have a

huge amount of sand traps yet they are superbly contoured, and the sand is so silky and soft it is not that much of a disadvantage having to play out of them. The greens are large in general, very receptive and fast running affairs, not easy to read at times, some very subtle borrows in places but the quality is outstanding from start to finish.

Around the turn there is a long run of par fours with different hazardous aspects to keep you on your toes. In general though its keep it out of the trees from the tee, watch out for overhanging branches and putt well for success. The 14th hole marks the end of this stretch, an uphill 415 yarder from the yellows that plays much much longer with a ditch across the fairway and an elevated very fast green.

The last Par 3, the 15th, is an attractive yet deadly affair with an exposed tee, a drop in elevation and six bunkers to catch a wind affected iron. Two Par 5s follow, we especially liked the 527 yard 17th, a nice wide fairway for the tee shot yet it is only the very longest hitters who will dare to go for it in two, a tree surrounded pretty pond sits in a copse short of the green. A wedged third shot to a very receptive putting surface will give you a good birdie chance.

The final hole is a straight ahead but far from straight forward par 4 with out of

bounds all the way up the left and a ditch on the right, and watch out for the putt back down the green if you over hit your approach. It is a final test for your game at a great golf course where the playing examination is as impressive as its stunning surroundings.

The clubhouse isn’t bad either, a very modern facility built in 2001 with a bright spacious profile, a very large bar and terrace and upstairs a function room with space for the very largest societies. Golfing groups have many packages to choose from with some mouth-watering dishes on the menu. Practice facilities are first-class with short and long game areas as well as chipping and putting.

The Worcestershire has a healthy membership of which over 70 are juniors, regular group sessions are held on the 5 hole academy course.

This establishment is well run throughout and is coping well during troubled times. The superb facilities certainly help yet it’s the scenic well maintained layout that will keep membership levels high and guarantee regular returns for visitors and societies alike. It is one of those courses we think will look amazing in the Autumn too, which is probably our way of hinting we wouldn’t mind coming back either!

Page 20: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

20 september-october • 2009

Set deep in the heart of the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, The Chase Golf Club is a stunning

parkland course in one of the most stunning settings. Located within 6 miles of the town of Stafford the course feels like you are miles from any urban areas, enjoying some of the best views across the Wrekin and Clee hills.

The main thing that strikes you as you drive into this impressive looking venue is the great facilities they have on site. On the drive to the clubhouse you pass the superb looking 20 bay driving range which includes a teaching studio. It also features one of the best looking putting

greens the county has to offer as well as a chipping green so you have no excuses not to be warmed before you head for the 1st tee.

Perhaps the most impressive feature is the superb looking clubhouse which caters for your every need. It includes 2 functions rooms, The Cedar Suite and The Atrium which is a stunning room and can hold up to 200 people. Both rooms cater for all occasions from conferences to weddings. The clubhouse also has a well stocked Pro Shop, a Spike Bar which is ideally positioned as you walk off the 9th or 18th

greens, a Club Custom Fitting Centre and The Chase Golf Academy where the 4 resident PGA professionals are available for lessons for all standards from the beginner to the advanced player.

The course itself is a challenging 6641 yard par 73 and is set up in a way that presents a test for all levels of golfers. Too many times golf courses say “a challenge for all levels of golfers” and the reality is that unless you are on top of your game then you won`t enjoy them, but The Chase really does cater for everybody and when we arrived it was refreshing to see a good mixture of men, women and juniors enjoying their golf here.

LeadingThe Chase

Page 21: West Midlands Golfer Magazine

The Chase

21west midlands Golfer

The course itself is presented to the highest of standards which in a summer of mixed weather is a testament to the course manger Simon White and his team. The course is mainly built on sand and gravel offering some of the best natural drainage around, so cancelled golf rounds are not a worry when planning your visit to The Chase Golf Club.

Now there are some mouth watering holes at The Chase and for those who enjoy getting the driver out you will relish some of the challenges that lie ahead. There is water and well placed hazards that offer a stiff challenge even for the biggest of hitters.

A mixture of impressive par 5`s and tricky Par 3`s ensure that accuracy is just as important as length on this course and with some testing rough in places for the wild shot, overconfidence can find you in real trouble.

The Chase has some really memorable golf holes but it really does save the best till last. The 18th is the signature hole and it is not hard to see why. A 176 yard par 3 over water, this is not one for the faint hearted. Those of a nervous disposition will also find the fact that the clubhouse`s bar has a patio area next to the 18th a knee trembling experience especially on hot summer days. All in

all this has to be one of our favourite golfing holes and is worth the green fee alone.

After the 18th the likely hood is that you will need refreshment to either bask in the glory of finding the green or to console the balls lost in the water, but whatever your reason you will find the bar a warm and friendly place to relax.

So if you are looking for your next course to visit or your next society venue then look no further than The Chase Golf Club and trust us, you won`t be disappointed!

Page 22: West Midlands Golfer Magazine
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golf societies

Formed: Late 2007Members: 50+ (and growing)Favourite courses played: Sapey Golf club (Near Worcester), Abbey Park (Redditch)Courses they’d love to play: The Belfry, Ladbroke Park (Solihull)

The CGS is a well organised society with a tournament schedule to rival the Midlands PGA Tour! A relatively new group that originated for Afro Caribbean Golfers from the Birmingham area playing on their own at courses and driving ranges to get together. Despite the name and its origins the society welcomes members from all backgrounds with only one criteria, they must love golf! Members are aged from late twenties to a few over fifties, only two ladies at present but that number is set to rise.

Every society event is played as a ‘major’ towards an Order of Merit with many prizes on offer at each tournament. However the most exciting thing is that the winner of each of the 8 rounds

Luctonian’s Sports Club has just celebrated its 60th anniversary. Based in Kingsland Nr.Leominster, its best known in the region for its rugby and cricket teams. However, the club has always possessed a fair few golfers who formed the Luctonian Golf Society about 10 years ago. Under the stewardship of Captain Dennis Mills (pictured second from the right) the well populated group take in 8 society days a year around Herefordshire’s scenic layouts and its neighbouring counties including a trip to Mid Wales.

The members take part in a 4 man team AM AM Stableford once a year to raise funds for the Luctonians Club. The annual fund raising day is either played at Leominster or Kington alternate years. Like many societies, Luctonians members who range in age from 17 to 80 enjoy the camaraderie and the opportunity to play courses outside of their own. If anyone is likely to help us in the future when it comes to golf in or around Herefordshire with course knowledge, it surely has to be Dennis and the Luctonians Golf Society.

Caribbean Golf Society (CGS)

is awarded a place in the society team for the Carib-Morris Cup, a Ryder Cup style match at the end of each season against the Chris Morris golf society. So as you can imagine the CGS is a highly competitive organisation, members go to great lengths in order to get on that team but also share the common bond of friendship and the desire to use their combined talents to set up via local businesses a youth program to help inner city kids take up the game.

Future plans include more out of season society days and a huge Ryder Cup style event against the Afro Caribbean Golf Association, a London based society, a competition which may involve over 100 golfers.

We look forward to seeing what the guys in this highly organised and motivated society achieve in the years ahead. For more information on the CGS visit their website at www.caribbeangolfsociety.co.uk

Luctonian Golf Society

Formed: 1990’s Members: 80+Favourite Courses: All of HerefordshireCourse they’d love to play: The Belfry

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24 september-october • 2009

Royal St Davids in Harlech was designed in 1894 to be North Wales answer to St Andrews in Scotland and Royal St Georges in England. Built around and through the towering sand dunes at the edge of Harlech beach and gazed upon throughout by the imperious Harlech castle, this highly traditional establishment has changed very little over the years, in truth it doesn’t need to.

From the moment you step on the first tee it’s all right there in front of you, links majesty at its finest, humps and hollows, little fierce pot bunkers to entrap an unlucky ball and long wispy grass billowing in the stiff breezes.

As usual with superb links courses the wind and thick rough are its main defences. Royal St David’s course design ensures the wind very rarely blows in the same direction over consecutive holes. Some good advice is to visit the website pre-round as the hole guide has some invaluable tips that will help first timers on the course.

This is where the liking the links part comes in. You have to enjoy the battle with the breezes and be prepared to shape and bend the ball to order. Always a good time to hit long irons low and let the fast running fairways speed the ball forwards.

Hole 5 at Royal St Davids is 378 yards in length and with a tailwind, emphasis is on accuracy more than length. However, as we said earlier the wind can be both friend and foe on this course and Hole 7 is a perfect example of this. A 494 yard Par 5 against the wind means even the longest hitters will need all of their might to reach the green in two.

Holes 7 and 8 are the only Par 5s here although the long Par 4, 3rd and 10th holes play like they really should be. There are five short holes making it a Par 69 which pros have described as the hardest Par 69 in the world.

We’re not in any way likely to disagree with that, it is quite likely to do some damage to an amateur scorecard but not his morale because it’s as an exhilarating challenge as we’ve ever found on a golf course, great fun throughout, one which encourages the use of every club in the bag and will see you playing shots the type of which you just don’t practise at the range.

A course which takes you on a route adjacent to the tall sand dunes close to the beach climaxes by sending you straight through them for a closing five hole stretch that can make or break your score.

Harlechserves upa royal classic!

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Royal St DaviD'S

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You’re not likely to forget holes like the 14th, a 221 yard Par 3 against the wind with only a flag in the distance in view from the tee, taking driver may well be inevitable, a long high shot is needed plus a bit of luck if you are to carry the high dunes and undulating ground beyond which stretches all the way to the green.

You’re in the lap of the gods a little bit on the next holes as well, spectacular Par 4’s all, but good fortune is required to run the ball through all the humps and hollows without finding those long grasses and pot bunkers, classic links golf at its finest.

Finally it comes as quite a relief to find a straight ahead Par 3 for the closing hole, although the 18th does have its fair share of greenside sand traps.

The putting surfaces at Royal St David’s are quite superb, large in size and fairly flat with subtle borrows rather than major undulations. They compliment this great layout very nicely and confident putters will relish them.

Similar to the course its facilities also haven’t changed much over the years. The locker rooms especially have a quaint

old wooden charm about them, food and drink in the clubhouse caters for all your needs and they also have a well stocked bar which comes in handy for after round drinks.

Harlech itself has a good range of B&Bs and guest houses; Royal St David’s even has its own range of bungalows to rent which would suit down to the ground a small society of up to 8 golfers.

The course is ranked amongst the Top 50 in the UK by the leading golf magazines and it’s not hard

to see why. With the castle and Snowdonia National Park as a backdrop and a magical layout exposed to the elements with those spectacular finishing loops, Royal St David’s has it all for fans of links golf.

Even its remote location turns out to be an advantage, for green fees here are far lower than other easier to reach legendary seaside locations. All in all Royal St David’s shows its class from start to finish and this is a must play golf course if you are a fan of the links format.

The challenging 14th green

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golf societies

The Bungs, situated near Burton-upon-Trent are a much travelled and well organised

society who in addition to their regular events raise many funds for various local charities and have amassed over £8,000 over the years. They take part in 11 society events in the Midlands area over a season and have an annual highlight of a three course trip to a further afield location

Barton Under Needwood Golf Society (BUNGS)

each year normally taking in some of Britain’s finest links venues. This is where the real competitiveness kicks in as the Bungs split into two teams and play a Ryder Cup style match. Next years event has already been arranged and is to be held on the seaside tracks of Cumbria.

Normal society days consist of 27 holes, three meals, prize

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Formed: 1994Members: 65+Favourite Courses played: Beau Desert and Whittington Heath (both Staffs) Ones they’d love to play: Little Aston (Sutton Coldfield) and Blackwell ( Bromsgrove )

presentations and a lot of fun with usually 30-40 participants. There is quite a large variety of different style competitions. The Bung’s members are of all ages and standards and new members are always welcome, by the look of their website www.bartongolfsociety.com it seems to us you will need a real sense of humour and not take yourselves too seriously to become a Bung`s member!

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28 september-october • 2009

The North Wales coastline is littered with many fine links layouts all over, travel just a few miles inland however and it soon becomes pleasantly apparent to discover that great courses in the region aren’t all exclusively seaside ones. Rhuddlan Golf Club fits into that category with ease, a beautiful looking parkland treat in the Vale of Clwyd benefitting from a sheltered climate in its location beneath the Clywdian Range of hills.

A Welsh

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Rhuddlan

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The course measures 6,291 yards from the yellow tees, gently undulating without being too lung bursting, attractive water hazards dot the landscape, fairways are lush and generously wide in places and the greens are quite superb, fast and true with hardly a bobble in sight.

So playability wise there is plenty to relish and you’ll feel confident of carding a nice score yet Rhuddlan wont relinquish one too easily, fairway bunkers are well placed, overhanging trees may look innocuous from tee boxes but prove hazardous at times 200 yards further down the track. The light rough is tightly packed and harder than it looks, contours and banking around the greens will demand some precision on approach shots too.

Societies may want to have a glance at the scorecard before organising their refreshment preferences. A full stomach isn’t advisable at tee off, there’s two Par 5s to begin with followed by a longish Par 4 and the exposed nature of the opening holes can lead to a few stiff breezes out there. The 18th is also a Par 5, keep a bit of energy left in the tank, its 500 yards long uphill and into the prevailing wind with a delicious three tiered green to finish.

The 6th hole encapsulates all that is beautiful and tricky about Rhuddlan. Just 299 yards long, the tee shot looks straightforward enough but placement and club selection is all important. Those

overhanging trees are present and surround a winding brook that meanders attractively through the hole. A wedged approach needs accuracy to find the centre of a large putting surface that slopes from back to front and has more trees and three bunkers for company.

When the round is over there’s an excellent venue for societies to mull over the day’s events. Rhuddlan has large 19th hole facilities set in relaxed surroundings, a private room can be hired for up to 20 guests and larger groups of up to 100 can be catered for in the function room. Societies are individually catered for. The food is first class Welsh fare and the friendly staff are welcoming throughout. Going back to the start there is a small driving range and you must reserve 15 minutes to have a go on the Himalayan style practice putting green outside the clubhouse. Wildly undulating and not quite reflective of what it’s like on the course, it’s good fun all the same and an enjoyable pre-round exercise.

There’s no great secret to why we and many other out-of-town visitors over the years find Rhuddlan so appealing. It’s just a thoroughly enjoyable sociable venue where you’re made to feel right at home and a course where good design and upkeep ensure a great quality all year long challenge in lovely surroundings, an excellent golfing experience you’re likely to relish a return to.

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30 september-october • 2009

Prestatyn’s terrain is more or less flat throughout very easy to walk and everything is there in front of you,

not many hidden spots, the most notable being the Par 5, 7th green, tucked away blindly in a corner surrounded by lots of little sand dunes.

The layout is reasonably long and its wide open nature may have the big hitters licking their lips but once the prevailing south-westerly breezes start to make their presence felt it becomes clear your game will have to adapt itself at times to neutralize the wind in typical links fashion.

Low punched shots will be the order of the day on many holes, the wind direction needs to be carefully monitored, it may

Natural Impressions

Golfing groups heading to the highest tip of North Wales are spoilt for choice when it comes to fine

links locations. The most northerly of them all, Prestatyn presents a first class example of natural and

unpretentious seaside golf where the land is unspoilt and the elements decide your playing fate. The

temperate climate and location ensure quality all year round play with no need for the dreaded winter greens.

well trick you on occasions yet on holes like the 10th, a 450 yard Par 4, there is no deception, it’s just full on in your face and its one Par 4 that will prove unreachable in two shots. With the “Prestatyn Gutter”, a drainage channel to the left and out of bounds on the right this is a hole where patience is the key.

Some delightful holes too and ones where the elements prove to be your friend, the short Par 4, 9th, straight ahead with a nicely contoured green guarded on two sides by a winding stream. The final hole will give an opportunity for a welcome closing birdie, downwind with a fast running fairway, as long as you can thread your way through its plentiful sand traps this short Par 5 holds the promise of a good finish.

Prestatyn

The rough can be tough at Prestatyn but that’s to be expected at a links course, the condition of both fairways and greens is truly excellent from start to finish.

Societies will find a friendly establishment with a large well appointed clubhouse and many different catering packages. Variety is plentiful and prices are very reasonable, the club is offering at present a special winter package well worth looking in to.

Fans of links golf and friendly well run establishments will find it difficult to resist the charms of Prestatyn, a massively enjoyable course to enjoy yet respect if you are to succeed. Highly recommended.

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StaffordShire Golfer

Horsley lodge

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Derby DelightFor a play and stay

society package to the East of the region we travelled to the rural outskirts of Derby to a course that has been regularly voted the finest in Derbyshire and from our very first impressions it isn’t hard to see why.

Moulded into 168 acres of rolling countryside it’s a relatively new design (1988) on land with much history, mature trees lining the course give it a much older feel. Part of the course used to be an old Roman road and an ancient stone wall remains to provide a fairway parameter on the Par 4, 13th hole.

Horsley lodge is a wonderful looking course, undulating

with nicely contoured fairways and many holes carved out around natural and attractive water hazards, playability wise it is a thinking golfers challenge with plenty of course management issues and you will find it a useful occasion to get those approaches nice and close once you’ve seen the putting surfaces for the first time.

Re-designed in 1999 we can only describe the large USPGA standard greens as awesome. Fast and true, they come in all shapes and sizes and are full of curvature, tiers and general ups and downs. Smooth as silk yet incredibly challenging throughout they will surely test even the lowest handicappers to produce their best form.

Two notable holes to mention among many that stand out. The 9th is a scenic gem of a Par 3 complete with water hazard and four bunkers guarding a green that sits underneath the old clubhouse. The 17th is a long Par 4 that demands a long well placed drive to lessen the risk of an approach to a green where the front is protected all around by a delightful looking yet daunting pond. With a closing hole that also features water and a typically testing putting surface there’s a fitting climax in store to a thoroughly enjoyable golf course.

Horsley Lodge has a driving range as well as the usual practice facilities. Societies are very well catered for, lots of packages on offer plus unique

extras such as ball spotters and free preview rounds for organiser and friend.

The clubhouse and hotel is an old building built in 1840 yet fully modernised inside. A great variety of food and drink is on offer as well as great views of that tricky 9th hole from the patio.

The recently refurbished hotel rooms and the luxurious additional barn cottage can accommodate up to 17 golfers. Horsely Lodge specialises in all year round golf breaks, it’s a must visit and easy to reach location, busy yet even if your society has to wait a while before visiting it will be more than worth the wait and at least you’ve got some time to practice getting those putters hot first!

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34 august-september • 2009

A Georgian

DelightFor information on superb society offers contact us: Henlle Park Golf ClubGobowenOswestryShropshireSY10 7AXTel: 01691 670680Fax: 01691 652429

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Henlle Park

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West Midlands Societies on a play-and stay break looking for a stop-off venue on the way to Wales or

ones with just a shorter day trip in mind will find Henlle Park to be an ideally placed location. Set in undulating Georgian parkland right on the Welsh border at Gobowen near Oswestry, the course is a hilly scenic gem with great views of the surrounding countryside.

It’s a relatively new layout and at only just over 6,000 yards in length with wide open spaces in view from the first tee you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in for an easy ride. Sand wedges too may be having a day off, there are very few bunkers at Henlle Park at present though plans are afoot to add some more.

Nevertheless it has hazards which become more apparent the longer you get into the round. Many of the front nine greens are perched on top of banks demanding accurate approach shots to often blind targets.

The towering oaks and mature hardwood trees are an attractive feature yet maybe the defining skill for success here is to avoid getting behind them too often. The back nine has a number of holes where they can present a challenge or two with wide low hanging branches encroaching over the undulating fairways.

The lower lying part of the course around the turn is where the majority of the water features reside and provide a bit

of danger around Henlle’s nicest looking holes. The 7th is an up and down undulating Par 4 with an exceptionally narrow approach between trees with water on each side of the green. The 8th is a short Par 3 over a small lake and another one too will make your 9th tee shot quite a challenge to keep your ball dry.

The back nine holes continue to be full of variety, course design has made expert use of the naturally hilly terrain to make Henlle a course of contrast and one that will hold your interest all the way round.

The greens here have been constructed to USPGA standards, the drainage quality giving them year round playability; it is a very modern design which gives you good all year round play without the need for winter greens.

The modern feel is even more apparent in the recently opened new 19th hole. The Clubhouse is large and roomy with up to date facilities throughout, plenty of space for even the largest societies. A good variety of 18 and 27 hole packages are on offer and the food takes some beating.

Henlle Park is an ideal location for society golf with a fine track where good course management will win the day rather than the power approach. The challenge, its lovely surroundings and great facilities will have you itching to come back for more Society occasions in years to come.

Delight

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34 september-october • 2009

Lancashire

HotSpot

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west midlands Golfer

shaw hillFor a bit of Northern feel to the society

section we took a trip past Manchester to Shaw Hill Golf and Country Club, a historic venue with a wooded parkland delight of a course set around the delightful Georgian mansion which is now Hotel, leisure spa, wedding venue and clubhouse all rolled into one. The location could hardly be better; Shaw Hill is situated just five minutes away from Junction 28 on the M6 in between Chorley and Preston.

The course was first played on in 1925 and has a mature look featuring plentiful water hazards including ponds and little concealed ditches plus a large array of coniferous and hardwood trees that surround undulating yet spongy soft fairways. At 6,283 yards in length it won’t look too taxing on paper especially as 3 of the 4 Par 5’s are less than 500 yards long, yet clever design has produced a thought provoking challenge to test your skills and every club in the bag.

No need to blaze away at Shaw Hill, keeping the ball in play with good course management will win the day in addition to the right club selections. Having said that the way you’re likely to approach the very first hole may not be entirely indicative of that strategy. A straight ahead Par 4 of just 257 yards that will have even the more cautious souls reaching to Big Bertha for a dash at the green and some early glory. Not much in the way of fairway hazards to deter the attempt yet you may have to settle for greenside bunkers from the tee as they block all but about 6 yards in width of the entrance. Even top European Tour Pro Nick Dougherty whose home course this is, probably struggles to find the green at times yet it won’t stop you trying and it is an ideal early mini-competition hole for societies.

A few undulating challenges follow, the water features increase as you go along, beware the concealed pond at the 5th and the tricky ditch that runs alongside the 7th.

Remaining from Shaw Hill estates farming past is a dry stone wall with a water filled trench running along it which features on three holes, on the Par 5, 9th and 17th holes it’s rather hidden from view as it faces away from the golfers route yet at Shaw Hill’s signature hole it dominates your view from the Tee. The 8th hole is 433 yards in length and from the raised tee it’s quite a challenge of a first shot to carry the wall and reach the sanctuary of the fairway. Then the hole dog legs slightly to the right and the pond that will threaten your approach comes into view. With bunkers around the

green this is a superb yet deadly Par 4 that plays much longer and fully deserves its stroke index one rating.

The layout continues to impress throughout with a nice variety of holes sculptured around the undulating countryside, the tree lined fast running fairways are wide and inviting at times, testing and narrow at others, receptive greens and consistently true running putting surfaces will give confidence for some good scoring.

You get a great finish too, following the short Par 5, 17th with another pond to test your approach shot and raised green comes a suitably grand closing hole. With the Hall as its backdrop the uphill 18th features ditch and pond to avoid from the tee, then your approach is to a large two tiered green with three large bunkers and colourful flowers surrounding it.

A fitting end to a highly enjoyable round in lovely surroundings. Shaw Hill’s facilities have all a society could wish for with a good pub atmosphere and good food in Shaw’s bar combined with elegance and great service in Vardon’s restaurant. Large society menus are on offer with a suitably fine wine list, visiting groups get the chance to dine in one or the other with a variety of packages on offer. If playing and staying is an option residents at Shaw Hill also get the chance to use the Halls leisure facilities including gym, swimming pool, spa and much more.

Perhaps the only snag here is its popularity. This is an extremely busy place, societies are advised to book well in advance, yet with its ideal location, polished test of a layout and great off course charms its well worth reserving some society time for a bit of good old Northern hospitality.

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36 september-october • 2009

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Collingtree Park

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Situated just South of Northampton and easily reached from the M1 motorway, Collingtree Park is one of the East

Midlands leading golfing lights, a parkland pleasure featuring many water hazards and an island 18th green reminiscent of the famous 17th at Sawgrass.

Designed by US and British Open champion Johnny Miller, Collingtree has fabulous pedigree, hosting Two British Masters in addition to Europro and Senior Tour events. Millers design makes use of the natural surroundings as well as having a few American characteristics, many attractive looking fairway edges with sculptured dunes and mounds and large epic sized greens in places, speedy and full of contours.

With four tee positions, golfers of all abilities are catered for, course lengths range from 6,908 yards down to 5,616 from the Red tees. The layout gives you a nice gentle hazard free introduction before the water features appear to increase difficulty as well as enhancing the appearance. An abundance of reeds and wildfowl around ponds and lakes makes this a very pleasant stroll.

Mature trees make attractive features too and give Collingtree a much older look than its 19 years, it’s a course that will encourage you to take the odd risk or two but will demand some serious accuracy and course management at times.

The amazing 18th will in all likelihood prove to be your highlight, a Par 5 with two lakes all the way down the left hand side and out of bounds on the right will test the big hitters intent on a green in two glory bid. The island green is an exciting challenge of course and it’s quite a test putting on it too! However, an honourable mention from us must go to the short 8th too. Not particularly difficult, the stream on the left shouldn’t be a problem but it has an exciting large undulating green and is garnished all around by silver birches and weeping willow trees, a scenic treat.

Collingtree has plenty of off course delights for societies. Driving range and large club shop and after the round a large and impressive clubhouse overlooking that 18th hole, a modern look throughout in the members bar, changing rooms and upstairs the superb Greens restaurant. It’s an all purpose facility serving bar snacks, A La Carte menu food and even a cocktail bar all set in contemporary chic surroundings.

Collingtree regularly offers many varied society deals all year round, a highly recommended venue for a visit to a course and club high in charm and golfing thrills throughout.

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August-september • 20094

Following on from a successful piece we wrote in Staffordshire Golfer our team decided to produce a regular page or two in this magazine about the sillier and more light hearted side of our game that lets face it, all of us take too seriously at times. We are serious journalists and reviewers who travel the length and breadth of our region and beyond to bring you, the readers thorough and detailed write ups of all the courses we are fortunate to be able to play. However, we are also a group of fellows with daft senses of humour, sometimes dodgy golf games and a wicked sense of mickey taking, i.e we’re quite normal and we felt it amiss of us if we didn’t report on the funnier side of nomadic golfing life. We want you to fully participate in these here pages in the future, any unique or just plain daft experiences you come across on golf courses or during the route to and from your destinations please don’t hesitate to let us know about them, the very best and funniest will be published and sleeves of Titliest Pro V1 balls can be won.

We also are including golfing jokes and Top Tens such as the ones below, once again if you could send us yours we’ll print them and send some more balls. We hope you enjoy our attempts at golfing humour in West Midlands Golfer and we look forward to receiving your efforts too at [email protected]

The Top Ten Golf Related Songs and Artists

1. W-hole of the moon The Water-hazard Boys

2. Whats club got to do with it Teena Turner

3. Green Onions Booker Tee and the mgs

4. Hazard Richard Marx (his card!)

5. This Ole ClubHouse Shakin’ Steevens

6. Smack me pitch up Prodigy

7. Hole in One of these nights The Eagles

8. Shank you for the music Abbackswing

9. Reach out of bounds i’ll be there The Fore Tops

10. Fairway to heaven Led Zeppelinks

The Pope met with his cardinals to discuss a proposal from the prime minister of Israel.

“Your Holiness,” said one of the Cardinals, “The Israeli prime minister wants to challenge you to a game of golf to show the friendship and ecumenical spirit shared by the Jewish and Catholic faiths.”

The Pope thought it was a good idea, but he had never held a golf club in his life. “Have we not,” he asked, “a cardinal who can represent me against the leader of Israel?”

“None that plays golf very well,” a cardinal replied. “But ...” he said, deep in thought, “what if we offered to make Jack Nicklaus a cardinal? We can offer to make him a cardinal, then ask him to play the Israeli prime minister as your personal representative. In addition to showing our spirit of cooperation, we’ll also win the match.”

Everyone agreed it was a good idea. The call was made. Nicklaus was greatly honoured and agreed to play.

The day after the match, Nicklaus reported to the Vatican to inform the Pope of the result. “I have some good news and some bad news, Your Holiness,” said Nicklaus.

“Tell me the good news first, Cardinal Nicklaus,” said the Pope.

“Well, Your Holiness, I don’t like to brag, but even though I’ve played some pretty terrific rounds of golf in my life, this was the best I have ever played, by far. I must have been inspired from above. My drives were long and true, my irons were accurate and purposeful and my putting was perfect. With all due respect, my play was truly miraculous.”

“There’s bad news?” the Pope asked.

Nicklaus sighed. “I lost to Rabbi Woods by three strokes.”

TOUR BANTER

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