The Alwoodley Golf Club ****

Wigton Lane, Leeds, LS17 8SA

Nearest main town: Leeds

 

With Moor Allerton, Sand Moor, IIkley and Moortown in close proxim­ity, the Alwoodley is the centerpiece of an outstanding selection of courses just north of Leeds. For golf lovers, it is sheer heaven, and it's never too busy - the area is not exactly known for its tourism, with holidaying golfers few and far between.

Perhaps it is not surprising that the Alwoodley should be such a superb golf course, given the quality of the men who have fashioned it through the years. Harry Colt and Alister Mackenzie supervised its birth and formative years and Mackenzie liked the product so much that he became the first club secretary. Minor alterations have been implemented down the years, and the greens and tees have recently been upgraded, while keeping the spirit of the original layout.

The layout of the course is the Alwoodley's best feature, with each hole being very individual. The danger comes not from the mature stands of trees, but from the heather, which must be avoided at all costs. The course's bunkering is fairly sparse, but what there is is cleverly placed and designed.

An indication of the Alwoodley's challenge comes as early as the 2nd, where the tee shot must carry 150 yards over gorse and heather to an unseen fairway, before twisting left to an angled green which is completely unprotected. The run from the 5th to the 8th is a particularly strong stretch of holes, while there are a number of devious doglegs, particularly the 15th and 16th which form half of a wonderful finishing stretch running back to the clubhouse, with each hole over 400 yards.

With only two par-5s and three of the four par-3s requiring long irons, the Alwoodley has a reputation for being one of the hardest courses in the country. Once you've experienced it, you'll find it hard to disagree. This really is a challenge.

 

Secretary: Mr C. Wilcher

Tel: 0113 268 1680 Fax: 0113 293 9458

Professional: Mr J. Green

Tel: 0113 268 9603 Fax: 0113 293 9458

Playing: Midweek: round £60.00; day £60.00. Weekend: round £75.00; day £75.00. Prices may increase in 2004.

Facilities:  Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Lunch and dinner from 11 am-9pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: Quality course in excellent condition...Lovely club­house. . .Just five minutes outside Leeds - unbelievable ... Mackenzie masterpiece...Play the designer who worked on Augusta...Wonderful... Exclusive club but possible to play...Best in Yorkshire by far.

 

Bingley St Ives Golf Club Ltd ****

St Ives Estate, Harden, Bingley, BD16 1AT

Nearest main town: Bradford

 

Secretary: Mr S. Axford

Tel: 01274 562436 Fax: 01274 511788

Professional: Mr R. Firth

Tel: 01274 562506 Fax: 01274 511788

Playing: Midweek: round £25.00; day £30.00. Weekend: round £30.00; day n/a.

Facilities:  Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Lunch from 11 am-5.30pm. Dinner by arrangement. Bar snacks.

Comments: Used to be municipal, now private...Three courses in one with moorland, woodland and parkland...Touched by the great Bobby Jones and Alister Mackenzie...Hallowed fairways. . .Much improved. . .Sleeping giant reawakened...Cracking finish...Deserves more recognition...Quality new clubhouse.