First off - courses in Lincolnshire
Stoke Rochford Golf Club
Blink as you whizz past it just south of Grantham on the A1 and you'll miss the appealing sign outside which states 'Members vacancies'.A sign of the times, I'm afraid with more an more long-established courses seeking new blood.
Stoke Rochford, as I regularly discover when a friend offers me the chance to play there, is a course that shouldn't be short of custom because of its geographical location and its superb parkland layout, first established in 1923 (with 9 holes) and subsequently doubled in size in 1935.
Set among huge oaks, it features interesting doglegs, semi-blind holes and elevated tees to test all abilities. Some of the greens are small but this only adds to the examination paper.
A senior agronomist to the R & A once rated it among the top 10 in the country in terms of condition. The course annually hosts on of the qualifying competition for the English junior team and provides a welcome to all visitors.
Golfmagic members say: 'A great mix of holes' ... 'Great greens, lots of interesting slopes'
Woodhall Spa Golf Club
One of Britain’s finest courses, The Hotchkin, is built on sandy soil which allows for year round play. It's set among banks of gorse and broom, together with layered canopies of oak, fir and towering silver birch.
Renowned for its formidable 300+ bunkers and springy heathland fairways, most visitors will remember the panoramic views of the 11th and the charm of the short 12th hole. Golf legend Tom Weiskopf often uses his memories of it (playing with local boy Tony Jacklin) as a fundamental influence on his own creations.
Golf was first introduced here in 1890 but first one nine then another, was taken for building development as the town and its spa waters flourished. Eventually in 1902 local landowner and golfer Stafford Vere Hotchkin, offered a tract of land to create the course which today carries his name.
In 1995 Donald Steel designed The Bracken course from commercial woodland and which has materialised into a course of exceptional finesse and imagination. I was privileged to play in the first fourball at the official opening with Steel and the then EGU president.
Much emphasis has been placed on ecology with many species of wild flowers encouraged to grow while securing the habitat of local wildlife. The club also plays host to English Golf Union headquarters with its state-of-the art coaching academy.
Golfmagic members say:'Rightly deserves its place in the UK top 10' ... 'Simply superb'
Founded in 1891 the club moved to its present site at Torksey in 1903 where triumverate legend J H Taylor designed a course with its mature trees, easy walking fairways.
The first professional match was an exhibition between J H Taylor and James Braid, which Taylor won with 75 & 74 compared to Braid's 75 & 78.
It has since staged the English Seniors County Championship, Lincolnshire Open and Amateur Championships as is highly rated by the county's best amateurs and visitors alike.
Former Ryder Cup captain, Mark James, set an amateur course record of 65 playing in the Lincolnshire Open in the mid-1970s.
Golfmagic members say : 'Good day out for a reasonable price' ... 'The feel of a Scottish links in parts'
Situated just north of Grantham (and just opposite De Vere Belton Woods hotel) the club has existed for over 100 years and in recent times has added a further loop of nine holes. It lies within the grounds of Lord Brownlow's country seat now owned by the National Trust in historic parkland.
The Brownlow Course (holes 1 - 18) is a par 71, the Ancaster (1 - 9, 19 - 27) a par 70 and the Belmont (10 - 27) a par 69. With irrigated fairways and fast, true greens, the courses provide a good test for every ability with the added attraction of its herd of fallow deer providing a marvellous backdrop as they roam the park.
James Crampton holds the Brownlow course record with successive 64s for the morning and afternoon rounds of the Lincolnshire Open in 2003.
Golfmagic member says: 'Natural features were very challenging...'
For further information go to www.visitlincolnshire.com/golf
