2010 Opens at Burnham Beeches Golf Club

New 2010 open golf competitions at Burnham Beeches Golf Club have just been added to Golf Empire.

Events at this prestigious golf club always fill up rapidly so if you are interested in entering any of the below tournaments we suggest that you do so very quickly.

The first competition will be held on Friday the 25th June and is a Men's 36 Hole Individual Medal played for the famous Burnham Beeches Trophy. Entry is £45 and includes both lunch and dinner, however, entrants should note that there is a maximum handicap limit of 7.

The second event is a 36 Hole Mixed Pairs Open played as a Greensome on Friday the 9th July. The cost of entry is £80 per couple which as well as two rounds of golf also includes coffee on arrival, lunch and dinner. Handicap limits of 28 (men) and 36 (ladies) apply.

Monday the 26th July plays host to the annual Junior Open. This is a 36 Hole Individual Medal for under 18's. Lunch and tea is included in the entry-fee of £25. A maximum handicap of 28 is required to enter this tournament.

Finally on Monday the 18th October a Seniors Open will be held. This is for golfers aged 55 or over and will take the form of an 18 hole Individual Stableford. Entry is £35 per person with a maximum handicap limit of 28. Although almost a year away if you want to secure your place in this event, which includes coffee & bacon rolls arrival and lunch after play, you should enter as soon as possible.

Full details and entry-forms about each of the above events can be found by clicking the links below.

Entry-Forms:
25/06/2010 Gents Individual Open - £45 per person
09/07/2010 Mixed Pairs Open - £80 per couple
26/07/2010 Junior Open - £25 per person
18/10/2010 Seniors Individual Open - £35 per person

Burnham Beeches Golf Club was founded in 1891 and is a challenging golf course in a beautiful setting on the edge of the historic Burnham Beeches.

The club is situated in the Thames Valley in South Buckinghamshire, with the old town of Beaconsfield to the north, Burnham village to the south and Maidenhead to the west. The course measures 6,458 yards, has a Par 70 (SSS 71) and offers a true and challenging test of golf.

Haydock Park Golf Club 2010 Opens

Haydock Park Golf Club have just added a number of 2010 open competitions to the Golf Empire website.

Two of these tournaments will be played next May and entries are already filling up. There is a Senior Pairs Open and a Gents Pairs Open. Both are 4-Ball Betterball Stableford competitions with a handicap limit of 24 and an entry-fee of £30 per pair.

Two further events take place in June where a Ladies Team Open and a Mixed Pairs Open are staged. The format for the ladies competition is a Stableford with the best 2 scores from 4 to count. The mixed event is a 4-Ball Betterball Stableford. The entry-costs are £48 per team and £24 per couple respectively.

Another Team Open is held on the 2nd July but this time is open to gents and ladies. Entry is also £48 with handicap limits of 24 for men and 36 for women. A second Ladies Team Open is played on the 12th August but this time it is for groups of three - although 2 scores still need to count! A Charity Mixed Pairs Open is scheduled for later in the month whilst a second Senior Pairs Open concludes matters at the Merseyside club on the 24th September.

Full details about all the above events along with entry-forms can be found by clicking on the links below.

Entry Forms:
14/05/2010 Senior Pairs Open - £30 per pair
31/05/2010 Gents Pairs Open - £30 per pair
10/06/2010 Ladies Team Open - £48 per team
20/06/2010 Mixed Pairs Open - £24 per couple
02/07/2010 Team Open - £48 per team
12/08/2010 Ladies Team Open - £36 per team
29/08/2010 Mixed Pairs Open - £20 per couple
24/09/2010 Senior Pairs Open - £30 per pair

For those unfamiliar with Haydock Park it is a well-established golf course situated near Haydock Park Racecourse. It is a mature parkland course of just over 6,000 yards and was designed by the famous golf course architect James Braid.

Haydock Park is one of the North West's premier golf clubs; it's tree-lined fairways and well bunkered greens make scoring well a real challenge but it is always in excellent condition and a fair test of golf for both high and low handicappers.

Ambler finishes in style

ADRIAN Ambler birdied four of the last six holes at Ormskirk to win the PGA North Region Mansell Finishes Winter Series pro-am with a three-under-par 67.

The professional from Walton Golf Centre, in Wakefield, finished a shot in front of Davenport assistant Graham Cox whose round was highlight with an eagle at the 13th.

With half the six events in the series completed, Bolton-based Steve Parry leads the Order of Merit which he won last year by eight points form Cox who is 17 ahead of Ambler. The series resumes on March 1 at St Annes Old Links.

LEADING SCORES (Par = 70): 67 Adrian Ambler (Walton Golf Centre); 68 Graham Cox (Davenport); 69 Adam Powell (Hartford), Andrew Murray (Portal); 70 Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall), Steve Parry (SP Golf School); 71 Tony Stevens (Davenport), Simon Edwards (Windermere), Andrew Barnett (North Wales GR), Freddy Valenti (Pryors Hayes), Nick Ludwell (Selby).

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 595pts Steve Parry (SP Golf School); 587 Graham Cox (Davenport); 470 Adrian Ambler (Walton Golf Centre); 363 Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall); 350 Phil Archer (Birchwood), Ian Ridgway (High Legh Park); 332 Barry Taylor (Houghwood); 278 Paul Bradshaw (Boothferry Park); 268 Adam Powell (Hartford); 263 Andrew Baguley (Leigh).

Book marks Lancashire centenary

LANCASHIRE is richer in championship and major tournament venues than any other county in Britain and Dr David Marsh, doyen of the amateur game, says: “We are indeed lucky to live and play golf in an area with such a rich history. And we thank those whose vision and enthusiasm has left us such a great legacy.”

It is this colourful legacy which is brought vividly to life by journalist David Birtill in a new book charting the centenary of the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs. From the first hesitant steps in the years before the First World War to the steadily expanding union of recent times – there are now 142 affiliated clubs – the stories of triumph and tragedy, determination, despair, drive and delight are told with a casual style and an easy eye for the offbeat and the amusing.

With painstaking attention to detail he recalls characters such as Arnold Bentley, the man who forced Adolf Hitler to retreat … Dick Burton, the Darwen weaver who won the Open at St Andrews … five-times county champion Sam Robinson … war hero and all-round sportsman John Zacharias … European Tour player Nick Dougherty … rising stars such as Tommy Fleetwood, James Robinson and Matthew Nixon …Gordon Whitehead who won a Rolls Royce in a round of golf with a pal … and songwriter and eccentric Howard Broadbent who once topped the pop charts in, er, Tasmania.

There’s an affectionate portrait of Dr Marsh (pictured) who starred in a Walker Cup match and represented England on 75 occasions, later serving as captain of both teams. He twice won the English Amateur Championship; was captain of the Royal & Ancient, president of the English and Lancashire golf unions and was an England selector at all levels. He has had a real impact on the game regionally and nationally for more than half a century.

Who better to pen the foreword to this production – A4-sized, hardback and packed with pictures – and to sum it up: “Lancashire golfers should treasure this excellent book and the stories it relates.”

By the spring of 1910 there was a healthy quorum of clubs to establish the Lancashire Union. The county quickly launched a championship event which produced both a first champion in George Smith and a first champion club in Lancaster.

The English Golf Union was founded in the mid 1920s and an early president of Lancashire, J. Rayner Batty, became its first president. Two world wars inevitably meant setbacks to progress. However, from 1946 golf moved forward and the following years brought expansion, changes, improvements and an increasing popularity.

Top amateur golfers were well known in the early days. Players such as Sam Robinson of Southport & Ainsdale, the wealthy and much-travelled Bentley brothers from Hesketh, and Ivor Thomas of Formby. They were all internationals who performed with distinction in the years before the Second World War.

The names of the leading players who followed on are perhaps more familiar. Ronnie White of Royal Birkdale, certainly the best British amateur of his time; Jackie Jones of Grange Park; Dixie Rawlinson and Geoff Roberts of S&A; Geoff Birtwell of Fairhaven and Denton’s Bob Bardsley, another five-times Lancashire champion, who all played for England.

The Lancashire centenary also marks David Birtill’s 25 years as the PGA North Region press officer. After a lengthy career with the regional and national press he retired in 2006 from the Manchester Evening News but continues to write golf for the newspaper and other publications. He lives at Withnell Fold and is a long-standing member of Chorley Golf Club.

Lancashire Links celebrates the centenary of the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs and is being distributed from the county headquarters at Lytham St Annes (email secretary@lancashiregolf.org or phone 01253 733323). It can also be ordered from club secretaries. At £15, the 240-page hardback is an ideal Christmas present for anyone interested in the sport.

Best Tee Time Offers of the Week

Five of this weeks best golf tee time offers at courses throughout the UK are listed below.

Marriott Breadsall Priory, Derbyshire @ £15.00 saving 70%
De Vere Oulton Hall, West Yorkshire @ £10.00 saving 85%
Foxhills, Surrey @ £35.00 saving 30%
Pannal, North Yorkshire @ £35.00 saving 36%
Woldingham, Surrey @ £12.00 saving 45%

SFG Amateur Team Win

Win for amateur team at Celtic Manor in Ryder Cup dress-rehersal as McEvoy’s amateurs take the trophy against the Ryder Cup stars

A team of talented single figure golfers battled it out on the Twenty Ten course at The Celtic Manor Resort to win this year’s SFG Challenge Trophy. The 2009 SFG Challenge Tour, sponsored by Srixon, provided an opportunity for golfers with a handicap of under 10 to qualify for the SFG team.

Forty regional events and over 5,000 golfers took part throughout the UK as they attempted to make SFG qualifying school.

Only a day before the final 84 amateur players from all over the UK were subjected to intense pressure with a one-day qualifying school played on The Montgomerie Course, with the top ten making Team SFG

Taking on the amateurs were a professional team including Gordon Brand Junior, Paul Way, Philip Walton, Roger Chapman, Steve Richardson, Alison Nicholas and Joanne Morley.

Captained by Peter McEvoy (former successful Walker Cup captain), the team of amateurs competed against former Ryder and Solheim Cup players over two days at the SFG Challenge Tour final and proved too strong for the pros emerging victorious
12 ½ - 7 ½.

McEvoy, co- founder of Single Figure Golfer relished taking revenge over the pros that narrowly defeated Team SFG in the demonstration event last year.
Welcoming the addition of the qualifying school, he said: “I am so proud of my team, it was stronger this year because of the Qualifying school meaning I had the cream of the crop to manage. This year identified players who can handle the pressure and that is what golf at this level is all about.”

Chief Executive of SingleFigureGolfer.com Paul Heming commented: “We introduced qualifying school this year to ensure that the final team comprised those who could handle pressure, as we learned last year that you need players with that quality if you are going to compete against seasoned pros. To play on the Ryder Cup course a year before the official event against the former stars is a priceless opportunity as was demonstrated by the appetite amongst the club golfers to make the team.”

All of the amateurs relished this once in lifetime opportunity with Tim Sholem (Meyrick Park, handicap 4) who finished in top position at qualifying school enthusing ”I shall never forget the experience I have had this week, its been incredible”.

Simon Kelly (Kidderminster, handicap 9) who competed understood what it takes to play in this environment saying “unfortunately nerves got the better of me. I am 48 years old and this is by far the best thing I have ever been involved in, it’s been a money-can’t buy –occasion!”

Full details on
Single Figure Golfer Challenge Tour

Ashton-under-Lyne Golf Club Ladies Golf Opens

Ashton-under-Lyne Golf Club have just added two popular Ladies competitions to our website.

Both tournaments are 4-Lady Team Stableford events costing just £40 per team. There is a handicap limit of 36 with a 7/8 allowance in place. If any team has any Ashton-under-Lyne members in their team they will be deducted 1 point per player from their final team score.

The first event will be played on Wednesday 23rd June whilst the second one will take place on Wednesday 4th August. Places are expected to go very quickly but you can use the entry-forms below to secure your place by sending them off asap.

Entry Forms:
23/06/2010 Ladies Team Open - £40 per team
04/08/2010 Ladies Team Open - £40 per team

Ashton-under-Lyne is a lovely wooded course nestling in the foothills of the Pennines on the edge of the Greater Manchester conurbation. Over the years great improvements have been made to the course including; increasing its length, adding bunkers, improving tees and greens and planting many new trees, which are an attractive feature but also a challenge!

The Duke's St Andrews is 100th Club to Sign up!

The Duke's St Andrews has become the 100th golf club to sign up for the National Golf Club Challenge, which will take place at golf courses throughout the UK on Saturday, 24th July 2010, in support of Help for Heroes.

With golf clubs entering on a daily basis, the National Golf Club Challenge is on course to become the largest amateur golf event to take place in the UK.

The Challenge, recently featured on the European Tour website, will bring hundreds of golf clubs, and thousands of golfers together on the same weekend as part of a nationwide charity golf event.

"The Kohler Company, owner of The Duke's Course and The Old Course Hotel located in the ‘Home of Golf' St Andrews, is delighted to be supporting a most worthy cause, Help for Heroes, through the National Golf Club Challenge," comments Debbie Taylor, Managing Director of the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa.

The Duke's is highly regarded as one of the finest heathland championship courses in the British Isles and a 'must play' course for any golfer. With a spectacular setting above St Andrews, The Duke's offers magnificent panoramic views over the surrounding countryside to the sea. Its style ranks alongside the great inland challenges which demand accuracy and inventive play as well as power golf and, with five separate tee positions at every hole, The Duke's has the flexibility and challenge to appeal to golfers at every level.

Stacey Jeffries, Event Director commented "We are so pleased to have The Duke's St Andrews participate in the National Golf Club Challenge."

"Reaching 100 clubs is a significant mile-stone for the Challenge," Stacey continued, "and having such a renowned club as The Duke's sign up makes it a double celebration. Our aim of course, is to encourage hundreds more golf clubs to get involved."

The National Golf Club Challenge, to be held on 24th and 25th July 2010, will give golfers up and down the country the opportunity to compete for some outstanding prizes – including golfing holidays to Egypt.

The format for the National Golf Club Challenge is very simple; the Challenge will coincide with each participating golf club's monthly stableford event, with each club turning the day into their own charity golf event, raising much needed funds for Help for Heroes.

The competing clubs will submit their aggregate scores from their best scoring 10 players. This will determine the top 6 golf clubs against standard scratch, who will then be invited to compete in the National Final.

The Grand Final, sponsored by YourGolfTravel.com, will be the conclusion of the 2010 National Golf Club Challenge. The two day event – hosted by The Belfry, one of the world's leading golf resorts, and four times host to the Ryder Cup – will be a superb grand final, featuring a practice day, golf clinic, overnight accommodation, the final competition and a gala dinner, including guest speakers and the prize presentations.

For more information on The National Golf Club Challenge, including how to enter your golf club, go to www.nationalgolfclubchallenge.org.uk or www.ngcc2010.com.

For more information on the Help for Heroes charity and the work they do please visit their website: www.helpforheroes.org.uk.

Burnley Golf Club Gents Open Golf Comps

Burnley have just listed a number of open events to be played at their golf club next year. Amongst the competitions to be held in 2010 are some fabulous events that always prove to be popular and fill up very quickly.

A Spring Fourball for men kicks things off on Sunday 28th March. This Betterball Stableford tournament costs just £20 per pair to enter and is a great way to start your season. The St. Georges Charity Salver, an 18-hole Individual Medal, takes place on the 25th April and is open to gentlemen with handicaps up to 20. There are two divisions; 0-10 and 11-20.

The very popular 3-Man Texas Scramble will be staged on the 9th May whilst a 4-Man Team Stableford is scheduled for the 25th July. The Silver Salver Trophy, another Individual Medal competition, will be held on Sunday 5th September with a 4-Man Team event set for the 10th October - this is a shotgun start with the best 2 scores to count and is one of the highlights of the year.

Finally a Turkey Shoot Betterball Stableford is planned for the 7th November - great value at just £14 per pair!

Full details about all the above events along with entry-forms can be found by clicking on the links below.

Entry Forms:
28/03/2010 Gents Pairs Open - £20 per pair
25/04/2010 Gents Individual Open - £12 per person
09/05/2010 Gents Team Open - £30 per team
25/07/2010 Gents Team Open - £40 per team
05/09/2010 Gents Individual Open - £12 per person
10/10/2010 Gents Team Open - £40 per team
07/11/2010 Gents Pairs Open - £14 per pair

Burnley is a beautiful James Braid designed course which weaves across the West Pennine Moors making excellent use of the contours of the land. It is a fair but challenging course standing on the fringe of the Habergham Eaves moors. It is a course that makes excellent use of the rolling countryside and offers a true test to golfers of every standard.

Stoke Park will play in the 2010 National Golf Club Challenge

Stoke Park, one of the finest parkland golf courses in the South of England, is the latest high profile golf club to register for the 2010 National Golf Club Challenge. The Challenge aims to raise a million pounds for the worthy Help for Heroes charity.

The National Golf Club Challenge, on course to become the largest amateur golf event to take place in the UK, will bring hundreds of golf clubs, and thousands of golfers together on the same weekend as part of a nationwide charity golf event.

Giammario Ragnoli, Hotel Director said "Stoke Park is delighted to be hosting the National Golf Club Challenge. We hope that our support and the support of other golf clubs will raise a considerable donation for Help for Heroes charity."

Opened in July 1908, the Stoke Poges course has stood the test of time. The exceptionally high quality greens, which have been consistently maintained, are a particular feature of the course. The challenging and demanding golf course, together with exquisite views and an amazing mansion clubhouse, contribute to Stoke Park being voted one of the top 100 golf courses in the world.

"Stoke Park is an outstanding venue." Said Stacey Jeffries, Event Director, "Its beautiful surroundings and magnificent clubhouse make it one of the instantly recognisable courses in golf. Having Stoke Park participate in the Challenge is a real boost to what we are aiming to achieve."

The National Golf Club Challenge, to be held on 24th and 25th July 2010, will give golfers up and down the country the opportunity to compete for some outstanding prizes – including golfing holidays to Egypt.

The format for the National Golf Club Challenge is very simple; the Challenge will coincide with each participating golf club's monthly stableford event, with each club turning the day into their own charity golf event, raising much needed funds for Help for Heroes. The competing clubs will submit their aggregate scores from their best scoring 10 players. This will determine the top 6 golf clubs against standard scratch, who will then be invited to compete in the National Final.

The Grand Final, sponsored by YourGolfTravel.com, will be the conclusion of the 2010 National Golf Club Challenge. The two day event – hosted by The Belfry, one of the world’s leading golf resorts, and four times host to the Ryder Cup – will be a superb grand final, featuring a practice day, golf clinic, overnight accommodation, the final competition and a gala dinner, including guest speakers and the prize presentations.

For more information on The National Golf Club Challenge, including how to enter your golf club, go to www.nationalgolfclubchallenge.org.uk or www.ngcc2010.com.

For more information on the Help for Heroes charity and the work they do please visit their website: www.helpforheroes.org.uk.

Sandburn Hall Winter Offers

Below are some great winter offers currently available at Sandburn Hall Golf Club in North Yorkshire.

Winter green fees:
£20.00 per person (Valid 7 days a week until 31st March 2010)

Twilight rate:
£15.00 per person from 12:00 noon onwards (Valid 7 days a week until 31st January 2010)

4ball offer:
£60.00 (Valid 7 days a week until 31st March 2010)

Winter Warmers:
Valid from 1st November 2009 – 31st March 2010 for parties of 10 or more.

Coffee & bacon roll + 18 holes of golf = £20.00 per person.
Coffee & bacon roll + 18 holes of golf & 2 course meal = £30.00 per person.
Coffee & bacon roll + 18 holes of golf & 3 course meal = £33.50 per person.

Contact Alistair@sandburnhall.co.uk to book.

Flamborough Head Golf Club Open Events

We are delighted to inform you about no less than 13 open competitions that will take place at Flamborough Head Golf Club in 2010.

Tournaments at Flamborough Head are amongst the most popular in the region with tee-times in several of these events much sought after, as they offer fabulous value for money. A 2's club is also included in the cost of entry for every event!

The Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May hosts three events at the East Coast club. A Team Open (any combination) is staged on the Friday whilst both a Gents Pairs (morning) and a Mixed Pairs (afternoon) are contested on the Saturday.

The ever-popular Senior Pairs 4BBB Open is held on Tuesday 22nd June for over 50's with the prestigious Thornwick Bay Open, a competition for pairs of gents, ladies or mixed, taking place on Friday the 30th July. The Thornwick Bay is a 4BBB Stableford costing just £22 per pair and is one of the highlights of the year.

August is a month when four events take place - all of which are pairs Stableford events. The Ladies is on the 13th, the Rabbits on the 20th whilst the Gents and Mixed competitions are held on the 29th, again operating on a morning and afternoon tee-time basis respectively.

The golf keeps on coming in September too! The Inter Club Trophy, an Am-Am for gentlemen, is played out on Sunday the 5th and at £58 per team of four is expected to fill up very quickly. Meanwhile The Flaneberg Masters, an individual medal for men is played the following Saturday. A Seniors Am-Am is also scheduled for Friday 24th September for over 50's - entry just £44 per team!

Finally in October a Ladies Am-Am is contested for those with a handicap no higher than 36.

Full details and an entry-form for each tournament can be found by clicking on the links below.

29/05/2010 Team Open - £56 per team
30/05/2010 Gents Pairs Open - £22 per pair
30/05/2010 Mixed Pairs Open - £22 per couple
22/06/2010 Senior Pairs Open - £22 per pair
30/07/2010 Pairs Open - £22 per pair
13/08/2010 Ladies Pairs Open - £22 per pair
20/08/2010 Rabbits Pairs Open - £25 per pair
29/08/2010 Gents Pairs Open - £22 per pair
29/08/2010 Mixed Pairs Open - £22 per couple
05/09/2010 Gents Team Open - £58 per team
11/09/2010 Gents Individual Open - £16 per person
24/09/2010 Seniors Team Open - £44 per team
01/10/2010 Ladies Team Open - £44 per team

Places in the above are strictly limited - get your entry in early so you don't miss out!

The Flamborough Head links course moulds itself around the contours of the cliffs which form part of the famous Flamborough Head. It is surrounded by some of the most panoramic views of the North Sea to be found on the Yorkshire coast, including both lighthouses!

The course provides both a demanding test of your golfing skills and an enjoyable experience for golfers of all abilities throughout the year. It is called the 'friendliest club on the coast' and it is easy to see why!

Forest Hills Golf Club Seniors Open

A Gents Seniors Open will take place at Forest Hills Golf Club on Tuesday 6th July 2010.

This Individual Stableford competition is for men over the age of 55 with a maximum handicap of 28. Entry is very good value at just £17 per person as this also includes a carvery meal after your round.

There are nearest-the-pins on the par 3's along with two divisions for visitors; 0-15 and 16-28 handicaps, in what promises to be a fabulous golf tournament.

Spaces are expected to go quickly in this competition so those interested in entering are advised to do so asap. Full details and an entry-form can be found here.

For those who haven't experienced the joys of Forest Hills it is a naturally undulating parkland course set in the beautiful Forest Of Dean. It has panoramic views over the old market town of Coleford and to the Welsh hills beyond.

The course is regarded as being one of the finest in the area, with such excellent drainage that the tees and greens can be used all year round.

Swindon Golf Club Mixed Opens

We are delighted to highlight two popular Mixed competitions that will be played at Swindon Golf Club next year.

On the 16th May 2010 a Mixed Pairs Open will take place. The format is a Greensome Stableford with an entry-fee of £20 per couple. Handicap Limits are 24 for men and 30 for ladies. An entry-form can be found here.

The 8th July 2010 will see a Seniors Mixed Pairs Open played. The cost to enter this Greensome Stableford competition is also £20 per couple with handicap limits of 24 (men) and 30 (ladies). Entrants must be over the age of 55. An entry-form can be located here.

Swindon Golf Club is located just 8 miles outside Wolverhampton city centre. The par 71 course holds a constant surprise to visitors to find such an idyllic setting and provides continuous pleasure to its members. It measures 6,121 yards for men and 5,481 yards for ladies - but do not be deceived by the yardage! Good strategic golf is rewarded and not necessarily length. A recently refurbished clubhouse offers a relaxed, warm modern facility in tune with the needs of its visitors.

Mytton Fold Open Golf Competitions

Mytton Fold will be holding two fantastic open competitions in 2010 - both will be held on Thursday 8th July.

The first competition is a Ladies Team Open consisting of 3 players. The best two scores count and the entry-fee is great value at just £24 per team. Ladies must have a handicap no higher than 36 to enter this exciting tournament. Entries are recommended as soon as possible to guarantee a place.

The second event is for Senior golfers who have reached the age of 55 and have a maximum handicap of 24. Entry is £20 per pair. This Better Ball Stableford competition is expected to fill up quickly so those wishing to enter should do so without delay.

Entry Forms:
08/07/2010 Ladies Team Open - £24 per team
08/07/2010 Senior Pairs Open - £20 per pair

The Mytton Fold Golf and Hotel complex enjoys stunning panoramic views over the Ribble Valley, Forest of Bowland, Yorkshire Dales over to the Fylde coast and the distant spire of Blackpool Tower. The course is challenging with many interesting aspects.

Macdonald Hotels Winter Offers

Macdonald Hotels are delighted to announce their Winter offers which incudes some fantastic savings on breaks in 2010. Full details of these deals, as well as an exclusive offer for Loch Rannoch, can be found below.

Why not book your Winter stay with Macdonald Hotels to get up to 50% off now, plus a guaranteed 50% off a second stay in 2010. Choose from over 40 hotels and resorts in the UK and Spain. For only £15 extra per person per night you will get dinner included in your hotel stay. Book your Macdonald Hotels Winter break now from just £35.

You must use promotion code: WTX

Dates: Book before 30th December 2009 for stays taken between 2nd January and 8th March 2010.

Terms and conditions: offer is subject to availability and this offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

Click here to book.

Macdonald Loch Rannoch Hotel, Perthshire
Stay at the Macdonald Loch Rannoch Hotel for only £98 per night for a 2 night stay including accommodation, breakfast and dinner plus a bottle of house wine in the room on arrival.

Must use Voucher Code: QA7

Dates: valid for stays booked and taken before 31st March 2010 (excluding Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day)

Click here to book.

Terms and conditions: Offer is subject to availability. Children under 12 years will be charged £18.00 per child per night on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis when eating from the children's menu. Full pre-payment will be taken at the time of booking and is non transferable and non refundable.

About the Loch Rannoch Hotel
Located near the picturesque village of Kinloch Rannoch in Perthshire, this is the ideal location to truly relax and unwind in luxurious surroundings. There are 44 traditionally styled bedrooms each with an ensuite bathroom.

Enjoy your dinner in the Ptarmigan restaurant where you can sample the finest Scottish produce from the varied menu. There is also a Health Club with a gym, steam room and sauna, 12 metre heated indoor swimming pool as well as beauty treatments which are available at an additional cost.

There are numerous activities available nearby including fishing, golfing, hill walking and shooting, so there is plenty to keep you occupied during your stay.

Weekly Golf Tee Time Offers

Below are five fantastic tee time golf deals at some of the country's most popular golfing venues.

There are discount tee times available from just £10 at The Warwickshire whilst you can also enjoy golf at The Belfry for a mere £25.

The Warwickshire in Warkwickshire @ £10.00 saving 83%
The Belfry in Warkwickshire @ £25.00 saving 38%
Macdonald Portal in Cheshire @ £17.50 saving 56%
De Vere Wychwood in Cheshire @ £9.00 saving 82%
The Vale in Glamorgan @ £10.00 saving 80%

Bolton Old Links Senior & Festival Golf Comps

Bolton Old Links holds a number of open events throughout the year.

There are two Senior events which are both 4-Ball Betterball Stableford competitions open to men aged 55+ with a maximum handicap of 24. The cost of entry is very good value at just £30 per pair. The first event will be played on Monday 7th June whilst the second is held on Monday 2nd August. To reserve a place in either of these you must enter asap and can use the forms below.

Seniors Entry Forms:
07/06/2010 Senior Pairs Open - £30 per pair
02/08/2010 Senior Pairs Open - £30 per pair

The Festival Week at Bolton Old Links is equally popular and next year will be held towards the end of June. A Texas Scramble for teams of four is the first competition on Thursday 24th June with an entry fee of £48 per team. This tournament is open to gents and ladies (mixed teams are allowed) with maximum handicaps of 24 and 36 respectively.

A Gents Team Open is staged the following day. Entry is £60 per 4-man team with the format a Stableford with the best two scores to count. The handicap limit is 24.

Saturday 26th June is when the Gents Pairs Open will take place. This 4-Ball Betterball Strokeplay is £30 per pair and has a handicap limit of 24. Meanwhile on Sunday the ever-popular Mixed Pairs Open is held. This competition is a 4BBB Stableford and is just £20 per couple to enter. Maximum handicaps are 24 (men) and 36 (ladies).

Festival Entry Forms:
24/06/2010 Team Open - £48 per team
25/06/2010 Gents Team Open - £60 per team
26/06/2010 Gents Pairs Open - £30 per pair
27/06/2010 Mixed Pairs Open - £20 per couple

For those not familiar with Bolton Old Links the course provides a memorable moorland experience consisting of 18 uniquely challenging holes in superb condition with panoramic views. There is also a traditional clubhouse with real ale and high quality catering.

Murray hits double tops

ANDREW Murray moved into pole position in the PGA North Region myProGolfer Order of Merit when he won the second of four events in the series at Fairhaven with a four-under-par 68.

The European Senior Tour player, who represents Tarporley resort Portal and who tied fourth in the Benahavis Masters in Marbella last month, rolled in five birdies to prevail by a shot from Scott Astin.

And not for the first time Murray, joint second in the first fixture, was looking in his rear view mirror at his teenage son Tom, an assistant at Didsbury, who finished four shots behind him.

Meanwhile, Hesketh professional Astin surprised himself with his performance after plotting his way round the course with a half set of clubs.

“I lessened the load because I was tired after playing five-a-side football the previous night,” he explained. “I putted well,” he added.

Third place went to Garforth’s Danny Walsh, his 71 lifting him into eighth spot in the merit table. Next up is the third of six pro-ams in the Mansell Finishes Series which has attracted 54 teams to Ormskirk next Thursday.

LEADING SCORES (Par = 72): 68 Andrew Murray (Portal); 69 Scott Astin (Hesketh); 70 Danny Walsh (Garforth); 71 Alan Crompton (Haigh Hall), Adam Powell (Hartford); 72 Matthew Tottey North Wales), Tom Murray (Didsbury); 73 Chris Crowder (Lee Park), David Shacklady (Mossock Hall), Tim Maxwell (Knutsford).

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 662pts Andrew Murray (Portal); 400 Will Barnes (Garstang); 300 Scott Astin (Hesketh); 292 Adam Powell (Hartford); 262 Adrian Ambler (Walton Golf Centre); 252 Alan Crompton (Haigh Hall); 228 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall); 224 Danny Walsh (Garforth); 200 Matthew Tottey (North Wales); 200 Tom Murray (Didsbury).

Hottest Golf Tee Time Offers

The weather may have turned for the worst and it is now getting much colder but below are five of the hottest tee times offers this month.

There are savings of up to 83% to be had off the normal green-fee prices with a round of golf starting at just £10... and that is at The Warwickshire!

You also have the opportunity to play at The Forest of Arden for £15 and Surrey National for just £12.

The Warwickshire = £10.00
Woldingham = £12.00
Macdonald Portal = £17.00
Forest of Arden = £15.00
Surrey National = £12.00

2010 Yorkshire Order of Merit

Details about the 2010 Yorkshire Order of Merit, a series of 36 holes scratch golf competitions at courses throughout Yorkshire, are starting to filter through.

Moor Allerton have confirmed the date and cost of their Amateur Classic and a few other dates have also been announced. The Yorkshire Amateur Championship will be played at Pannal Golf Club in 2010 and the dates for this are now know.

Full details can be found on the Yorkshire Order of Merit page on the Golf Empire website.

2-Fore!-1 Recruits Over 1,000 courses

2-FORE!-1 are proud to announce a milestone in golf history - their 1,000th course!

UK courses are benefiting from joining their scheme, which has now firmly placed 2-Fore!-1 Golf as the leader in discount golf services!

1,000th Course is Turnberry!
Turnberry is one of the world's most iconic golfing venues, the resort and courses spectacularly overlooking the Ayrshire coastline, Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran. It's the home of a luxury five star hotel and two world-class links courses, namely the Ailsa and the neighbouring Kintyre which has just agreed to accept 2-Fore!-1 vouchers.

It's a welcome return to 2-Fore!-1 for the Kintyre which came out on top in Today's Golfer's Top 100 2-Fore!-1 Courses awards in 2006. In the summer of course the Ailsa successfully staged the Open Championship won by American star Stewart Cink.

2-Fore!-1 Golf in the cities
There's some great 2-Fore!-1 Golf to be enjoyed in and around Britain's main cities - even at this time of the year - and we kick-off this new series by checking out Coventry's 2-Fore!-1 Golf highlights.

Top of the pile has got to be the Marriott Forest of Arden, home of regular European Tour layout the Arden which is ably supported by the not-so-demanding Aylesford track.

Not far adrift in the must-play stakes is The Warwickshire which also boasts two superb contrasting courses (the Kings and Earls).

Nuneaton is a splendidly mature parkland layout well worth paying a visit - it's available in 2-Fore!-1 Golf in midweek in winter - and you'll also enjoy an outing at Henley G&CC which has a par-73 parkland layout, a nine-hole par-3 course and first-rate facilities.

Don't forget, with a 2-Fore!-1 Golf voucher you can play for half-price at all the above golf courses.

Latest 2-Fore!-1 offers
Spend over £40 and get £10 off when you use the voucher code NEWS0911 -
BUY NOW

Normal green fees at the participating courses range from £10 to £135, so the savings are instant with 2-Fore!-1 vouchers. Each 2-Fore!-1 Golf voucher entitles two golfers to play together for the price of one at a participating course and they are valid for at least 12 months from purchase!

Winter Golf Offer at De Vere Golf Resorts

Exclusive Special Offer at De Vere Golf Resorts for Golf Empire Visitors: Coffee, Bacon Roll & Golf from £15 per person!

Golf Empire have teamed up with De Vere to give our visitors the opportunity to take advantage of a very special winter golf offer.

If you book a group of 4 or more golfers, at one of the 11 De Vere golf venues throughout the UK, you will pay just £15 per person* - an amazing saving off the normal green-fee. This offer not only includes 18-holes of golf but complimentary tea/coffee and a bacon roll on arrival is also included! The offer is only available through Golf Empire and runs until the 31st March 2010.

Find our hot to take advantage of our De Vere Winter Golf Offer.

2010 Northern Order of Merit Taking Shape

The 2010 schedule for the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit has started to take shape with over a dozen events already confirmed for next season.

Entry-forms for the 36-hole scratch golf tournaments can be found on Golf Empire, the UK's leading open golf competition website.

Amongst the events already finalised are; The Hesketh Henriques Trophy, The Calvert Trophy at Ashton & Lea Golf Club, The Acorn Trophy at Accrington & District Golf Club, The Pleasington Antlers, The Caldy Quart, The De Frece Trophy at Blackpool North Shore Golf Club, The Wilpshire Trophy, The Grange Park Rosebowl, The Astbury Trophy, The Bosden Trophy at Hazel Grove Golf Club, The Revidge Cannon at Blackburn Golf Club, The DE Ingham Memorial at Rossendale Golf Club and The Ashton Trophy at St. Annes Old Links Golf Club.

The remaining events will be added to the Northern Order of Merit page as soon as the 201o details are finalised.

2010 Northern Order of Merit Taking Shape

The 2010 schedule for the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit has started to take shape with over a dozen events already confirmed for next season.

Entry-forms for the 36-hole scratch golf tournaments can be found on Golf Empire, the UK's leading open golf competition website.

Amongst the events already finalised are; The Hesketh Henriques Trophy, The Calvert Trophy at Ashton & Lea Golf Club, The Acorn Trophy at Accrington & District Golf Club, The Pleasington Antlers, The Caldy Quart, The De Frece Trophy at Blackpool North Shore Golf Club, The Wilpshire Trophy, The Grange Park Rosebowl, The Astbury Trophy, The Bosden Trophy at Hazel Grove Golf Club, The Revidge Cannon at Blackburn Golf Club, The DE Ingham Memorial at Rossendale Golf Club and The Ashton Trophy at St. Annes Old Links Golf Club.

The remaining events will be added to the Northern Order of Merit page as soon as the 201o details are finalised.

Archer, Ridgway on target at West Lancs

PHIL Archer was reunited with his old PGA North Region pals when he pegged up in the second of six Mansell Finishes Winter Series pro-ams at West Lancs.

And the 36-year-old European Tour player found the Blundellsands links to his liking as he shared the spoils with Ian Ridgway on six-under-par 66.

Archer, attached to Birchwood and on the reserve list for the UBS Hong Kong Open which starts on Thursday, looked to be coasting to victory as he grabbed six birdies in his opening 10 holes after starting his round at the second.

He added another at the 16th before blotting his card with a lone bogey on the home green.

Ridgway, tournament professional at High Legh Park who plays on the EuroPro Tour, was equally impressive and enjoyed a run of three successive birdies from the second on his way to signing for a perfect set of figures.

Craig Corrigan, from Haigh Hall, was third a shot off the pace as Bolton-based Steve Parry increased his lead in the Order of Merit.

LEADING SCORES (Par = 72): 66 Ian Ridgway (High Legh Park), Phil Archer (Birchwood); 67 Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall); 68 Paul Bradshaw (Boothferry Park), Jason Laszkowicz (Owston Hall); 69 Paul Carman (Huddersfield), Andrew Baguley (Leigh); 70 Gary Donnison (Mobberley), Adrian Ambler (Walton Golf Centre), Jeff Mathews (Samlesbury Golf Centre), Matthew Ellis (Romiley), Barry Taylor (Houghwood), Steve Parry (SP Golf School).

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 400pts Steve Parry (SP Golf School); 262 Graham Cox (Davenport), Barry Taylor (Houghwood); 123 Andrew Baguley (Leigh), Nick Ludwell (Selby), Simon Townend (Wilpshire), Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorks), Paul Bradshaw Boothferry).

Cleckheaton & District Golf Club 2010 Open Competitions

Five fantastic open competitions will take place at Cleckheaton & District Golf Club in 2010.

There really is something for everyone with a Senior Pairs Open commencing their open competition schedule on Monday 17th May. This is a 4BBB Stableford for over 55's with a handicap of 24 or less. Entry is £30 per pair.

A Mixed Pairs Open takes place on Sunday 27th June and at £30 per couple represents excellent value for weekend golf. This is also a 4BBB Stableford with handicap limits of 24 (men) and 36 (ladies).

Another Seniors Golf Open is held on Thursday 5th August whilst a Ladies Team Open is played the following week on Tuesday 10th. This is an Am-Am Medal with the best 2 scores to count on each hole except on the 18th where all scores must count! The combined handicap limit is 120 with the cost of entry £50 per team of 4 ladies.

The popular Gents Team Open is scheduled for Sunday 12th September. This is also an Am-Am Medal with 2 scores to count. Entry is £80 per team of 4 with a maximum handicap limit of 20.

Places in the above are limited and entries close when the events become full - hurry and get your entry in so you don't miss out!

Cleckheaton, founded in 1900, was designed by Alister Mackenzie, the Yorkshireman responsible for many of the world’s greatest courses including Augusta National.

The holes offer a good blend of 'risk and reward' while several greens have the undulations and borrows for which his designs became famous.

Measuring just under 6,000 yards and with a par of 70 Cleckheaton enjoys a pleasant parkland setting and provides golfers of all abilities with an enjoyable challenge.

Lenzie Golf Club Open Tournaments

Three excellent tournaments that will be played at Lenzie Golf Club in 2010.

The Lenzie Open is a popular gents strokeplay competition and will take place on Saturday 22nd May. The cost of entry is just £8 per person and the handicap limit is 24. An entry-form can be found here.

The Alma Rosebowl is a Mixed 2-Ball competition and will be held on Sunday 11th July. Entry is £12 per couple with handicap limits of 28 (men) and 36 (ladies). An entry-form can be found here.

The Kirkintilloch Shield is a scratch competition form men with a handicap of 9 or less. The event will be staged on Sunday 29th August, entry is £10 per person and an entry-form can be found here.

ENTRIES ARE EXPECTED FILL UP VERY QUICKLY FOR THE ABOVE EVENTS SO HURRY TO GET YOUR ENTRY IN.

The Lenzie golf course is a mix of park and moorland, with excellent views around the area. Meanwhile the clubhouse has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and provides excellent cuisine.

New Golf Opens at St. Annes Old Links

St. Annes Old Links Golf Club holds several open tournaments throughout the year and in 2010 they are introducing 3 brand new competitions.

A Mixed Pairs Open will take place on Sunday 11th April. This will be a 4-Ball Betterball format for couples with maximum handicaps of 21 (men) and 30 (ladies). The cost of entry is £40 per pair.

On Friday 16th July a Team Open will be held for gentlemen with a handicap of 21 or less. At £100 per team of 4 this event represents excellent value for money, as a drinks/food voucher is included in the cost of entry. An entry-form can be found here.

The Kilgrimol Trophy is another new competition and is for men holding a handicap of 10 to 18. This individual medal costs £20 and is to be staged on Bank Holiday Monday 30th August. An entry-form can be found here.

ENTRIES CLOSE FOR THE ABOVE EVENTS WHEN THEY ARE FULL SO HURRY AS THEY ARE EXPECTED TO FILL UP VERY QUICKLY!

St. Annes Old Links is a truly great golfing venue for every season and was founded in 1901. The course is a fine championship links on the north-western coast near Blackpool and from 1926 has been an official qualifying venue for The Open whenever it has been held at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

Savvy Golfers Turning to Open Competitions

Niche golf website makes birdie with golfers and golf clubs!

Many golfers are turning to open golf competitions as a way to play new courses and at the same time grab themselves a real bargain on the fairways.

Open golf competitions - events held at golf clubs specifically for non-members to play in - have been around for a long time but are now seeing a real surge in popularity. This is mainly due to more and more golfers searching for cost effective ways to play their sport during these uncertain economic times.

And who can blame them… entry to open events usually costs just a fraction of the normal green-fee rate, the courses are presented in first class condition, a meal is often included and with prizes up for grabs it can be an excellent value-for-money day out on the links.

Along with the help of a niche golfing website, designed to help amateur golfers find and enter open competitions, players can now see where and when tournaments will be held at the click of a mouse.

Golf Empire (www.golfempire.co.uk) burst onto the scene earlier this year with the simple aim of making it easier for golf club members to discover where and when open events will be played at other courses in their region. Online entry-forms are also provided for each event allowing potential entrants to secure a place in their chosen competitions. All types of events are listed including; Senior, Ladies, Mixed, Team, Scratch, Junior and Individual tournaments.

What’s more, modern technology allows subscribers to select the type of events that they are interested in along with their desired regions and Golf Empire will send an email alert whenever a new competition, that meets the users criteria, is listed on the site.

But it is not only golfers who are benefiting from the comprehensive website. Golf clubs are also enjoying additional revenue that the user-friendly directory is bringing in for them. Website creator Edward Battye said, “Golf Clubs and tournament organisers have been delighted with the Golf Empire site and the return it has given them so far this year.”

Hardly surprising really as a golf club can list their open events for free, reaching a much wider audience than before and therefore gaining entries that they would never previously have received. Battye added, “A number of clubs have reported back to us and said a big thank-you because we have helped them fill their start-sheets for the first time ever!”

One thing is for sure and that is golfers will always find the most cost effective way of getting onto a golf course and at the moment it appears that open golf competitions are proving the way forward.

Pyethorn Shield Singles Golf Open at Wilpshire

Wilpshire Golf Club has a full programme of open events each year. Arguably the pick of the bunch is The Pyethorn Shield Singles Open.

Next year this will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 31st May. The tournament is open to gentlemen golfers over the age of 18 with a maximum handicap of 28.

The format is an individual Stableford and the cost of entry is £13 per person, however, for those booking before the 31st March the cost of entry is reduced to £11.

An entry-form can be found here.

Wilpshire is situated on the A666 just to the North-East of Blackburn in East Lancashire. Visitors are always made very welcome at this fine course that is a blend of parkland and moorland, originally designed by James Braid.

Tapton Park Golf Club Seniors Open

A Senior Pairs Open will be held at Tapton Park Golf Club on Thursday 12th August 2010.

The competition is a 4BBB Stableford open to golfers with a maximum handicap of 24 who are 55 years of age or over. Tee Times are already filling up so hurry if you are thinking of entering this popular tournament.

The cost of entry is excellent value at £25 per pair as a main meal (choice of 4 menus) is included in the cost of entry. An entry-form can be found here.

Tapton Park was established in 1934 and is arguably one of the finest municipal golf courses in England.

At just over 6,000 yards, the picturesque 18-hole Old Course with five dog-leg holes is sculptured out of undulating parkland with a signature 5th hole measuring 625 yards!

Styrrup Hall Winter Offers

WINTER OFFERS FROM 2ND NOVEMBER TO END OF MARCH AT STYRRUP HALL

Mid week green fee of £18.00 each includes Sausage and Mash in the clubhouse after play or £12.00 each after 1pm with no meal.

Weekend normal price of £25.00 is reduced to £20 during above period or £15.00 after 1pm.

MEMBERSHIP DEAL - PLAY GOLF 5 TIMES A WEEK FOR UNDER £10.00 (conditions apply)

Contact Styrrup Hall Golf & Country Club on 01302 759933 for full details.

Great Deals at Macdonald Golf Hotels

There are currently some great offers at Macdonald Hotel properties that feature Golf Courses.

Macdonald Aviemore Inn Offer:
Stay at the Macdonald Aviemore Inn for only £49 per room per night, on a bed and breakfast basis. Price includes VAT, and full pre-payment will be taken at the time of booking. Click image for full details.



MUST Quote Promotion code: AFF

Valid: for stays between 1st November and 30th November 2009

Terms and conditions: The offer is subject to availability and is only valid for stays taken in November 2009. Full pre-payment is taken at the time of booking and is non-transferable and non-refundable.


Macdonald Aviemore Highlands Hotel Offer
Only £98 per person for 2 nights dinner, bed and breakfast at the Macdonald Aviemore Highlands Hotel, with a bottle of champagne in the room on arrival. Click image for full details.



MUST Quote Promotion code: AFF

Valid: for stays between 1st November and 30th November 2009

Terms and conditions: The offer is subject to availability and is only valid for stays taken in November 2009. Full pre-payment is taken at the time of booking and is non-transferable and non-refundable.


Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, near Chester
The offer: Stay at the Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel for only £49 per person per night including accommodation, dinner, bed and breakfast. You will also receive a bottle of champagne and a £10 voucher per person per stay to spend during your break. Click image for full details.



MUST Quote Promotion code: WCV

Valid: for bookings made and taken between 12th October 2009 and 28th February 2010

Terms and conditions: the offer is subject to availability, and excludes Christmas and New Year.

HOT Golf Tee Times Offers

Below are some of the hottest tee-times available at the moment.

To book any of these simply visit our Golf Tee Times website.

Forest Pines, Lincs, = £17.50
Shirland, Derbys, = £6.00
De Vere Carden Park, Cheshire, = £20.00
The Park, Gloucs, = £10.00
Aldwark Manor, N Yorks, = £10.00
Wokefield Park, Berks = £10.00
Breadsall Priory, Derbys = £15.00
Slaley Hall, Northumberland = £15.00
Quindell, Hants, = £10.00
Westerham, Kent, = £25.00
Marriott Tudor Park, Kent, = £15.00
Pryors Hayes, Cheshire, = £4.95
Woldingham, Surrey, = £15.00
Breadsall Priory, Derbys, = £15.00
Hawkstone Park, Shrops, = £15.00
Forest of Galtres, Cheshire, = £5.00

£10 a round returns to Romanby!

Green-fees have come down this winter at Romanby to only £10 a round when you tee up From 12noon. This offer runs from now until the end of February 2010. Call the tee bookings hotline on 01609 778855 ext 1.

Other Offers:

1. A warm winter welcome awaits you at Romanby! The offer of a 4-ball with food for only £80 for this November.

-Coffee and Bacon Butty on arrival
-18 holes of golf
-1 course dish of the day

So why not pick up the phone now and give them a call on 01609 778855 ext 223
or email richard.boucher@romanby.com to make your booking.


2. Places are still available to play in the Christmas AM-AM on Friday 4th December 2009.

This is a shot gun start with coffee and bacon butties before the competition. Cost is £24 per pair. A prize presentation will take place after the event. Call 01609 778855 ext 223 or email richard.boucher@romanby.com where they can take your address to post out an entry form.

PGA EuroPro Tour release early venues for 2010

Five dates confirmed for next year’s Tour with further events and Q School to follow

The PGA EuroPro Tour is pleased to announce the first five of events on the 2010 Tour calendar.

The season kicks-off at Wensum Valley Golf and Country Club in Norwich on April 27-29 which is three weeks after the proposed date for the final stage of Qualifying School.

Burhill Golf Club staged their first EuroPro Tour event in July this year and welcomes the Tour back to Surrey on May 26-28. Stoke by Nayland hosts their regular tournament on June 29-July 1 in Essex with Wychwood Park in Crewe on the agenda for August 10-12 and Five Lakes Hotel, Golf and Country Club in Colchester welcoming the players on September 8-10.

“The 2009 Tour was a great success and with a strong platform already in place for 2010 I feel next year will be even better,” said Danny Nickless, the Tour’s operations manager.

Further dates will be announced shortly along with full details on Qualifying School for the 2010 Tour.

Hawkstone Park Golf Club 2010 Golf Opens

We are delighted to inform you about the 2010 open golf competitions that will be held at Hawkstone Park Golf Club. There really is something for everyone with a variety of events played over each of the two superb courses at this picturesque venue.

Eleven events are already finalised for next year with the first event, a Veterans Pairs Open, taking place on the 14th May. Open to gentlemen golfers, aged 60 or over, this remains one of the most popular tournaments on the clubs schedule and a great way to start the season.

June plays host to no less than five competitions; a Ladies Team Open on Friday the 4th followed by the prestigious Wem Bowl on the Saturday. The Wem Bowl is a Midland Order of Merit qualifier and also a Single Figure Golfer Challenge Tour event played off scratch over 36-holes. It is contested over both the 'Hawkstone' and 'Championship' courses.

Later on in the month a Senior Pairs Open, a Team Open and a Mixed Pairs Open will be staged. All three offer excellent value for money and promise a superb golfing day out. The Senior event is played on the 'Hawkstone' course whilst the Mixed event takes place over the 'Championship' course. The Team competition is also held on the 'Championship' course and is open to gents and ladies.

Three tournaments take place in July; another Senior and Mixed Pairs Open along with a Ladies Team competition. A third Senior and Mixed open will also be held in September underlining the popularity of open golf events at Hawkstone Park.

Those wishing to become part of the above events and play are advised to send their entry-forms in asap to secure a place. Click here for full details about each tournament and official entry-forms.

The setting for Hawkstone Park's two 18-hole golf courses could hardly be better - Hawkstone Park is an English Heritage Grade I landscape and was recently voted one of the top 20 golf holiday destinations in the world.

Both courses were designed in extensive parkland surrounding the ruins of a medieval castle, with the cliffs of the world-famous 18th Century Follies providing a spectacular backdrop. The 'Championship' course will really test your abilities.

Parry on a roll after curing swing flaw

STEVE Parry cashed in on a late season burst of form when he won the opening Mansell Finishes Winter Series pro-am at St Annes Old Links with a four-under-par 68.

It took his earnings to more than £4,000 in the space of five days following his fourth place in the EuroPro Tour Championship at Northumberland club Slaley Hall.

But the 31-year-old Bolton professional, who last month expanded his teaching academy at Hart Common, revealed he had to seek help himself from his coach Mark Pearson after struggling for most of the season.

“I’d been playing well but then I’d suddenly hit the ball to the right and it would ruin my round. I called it my ‘bad shot’ which would suddenly creep in,” he explained.

“It happened four times in the European Tour School qualifier when I had four double bogeys and a quadruple and missed out by three strokes.”

Pearson, who is based at De Vere Oulton Hall in Leeds, clearly ironed out the flaw as Parry rolled in six birdies, including three in a row from the 10th, to make a perfect start to the first of six Mansell events in which he prevailed by one from Davenport assistant Graham Cox and Houghwood’s double Lancashire champion Barry Taylor.

And he added: “These results have given me the incentive to enter the Cambodian Open later this month. I’ve played in it before but I’d have to win to win an Asian Tour card.”

“That’s been a long-time goal but realistically I’ll been committing myself to developing the academy.”

LEADING SCORES (Par = 72): 68 Steve Parry (SP Golf School); 69 Graham Cox (Davenport), Barry Taylor (Houghwood); 70 Andy Baguley (Leigh), Nick Ludwell (Selby), Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorks), Paul Bradshaw (Boothferry), Simon Townend (Wilpshire); 71 Simon Edwards (Windermere), Freddy Valenti (Pryors Hayes), David Shacklady (Mossock Hall). Adam Powell (Hartford).

Golfing Days 2010 Amateur Tour Schedule Announced

Golf Empire are delighted to announce that the schedule for the 2010 Golfing Days Amateur Tour has been announced and as usual there are some fabulous venues on the circuit including the prestigious Forest of Arden.

The Golfing Days tour is a series of golf competitions for male golfers of all standards who are seeking competitive golf at quality courses. Tournaments take place throughout the year (March to October) at some of England's finest 'hidden gems' with food included both before and after your round. There are prizes up for grabs at each event and also a season-long order of merit where the champion wins a fabulous golfing holiday for two people.

There are eight tournaments throughout the season, and because there is no fee to join the tour, you can enter as many or as few as you like. However, if you enter all eight at the same time you will get a 15% discount and if you enter just six events in one go you will benefit from 10% off your entrance fees.

Find out more about the Golfing Days Amateur Tour and see the full 2010 schedule.

2010 Golf Opens at Vale of Llangollen

Vale of Llangollen Golf Club opened the bookings for their 2010 open golf competitions on the 1st November. These include some of the most popular events in Wales and as a result they fill up very quickly.

Details about many of these events, at one of the few courses in Wales to be given the HSBC Gold Medal ranking, can be seen below. All of them offer a fabulous day out at this championship course and provide excellent value for money... but you will need to be quick to secure your place!

The month of May stages four tournaments with a bit of something for everyone. A Gents Seniors Open will be held on Wednesday 12th May for over 55's whilst a Gents Betterball Stableford takes place three days later on the Saturday. A Gents Team Open will be held on the following day with another Team Open, available to any combination of gents and ladies, played on the 31st of the month.

A Mixed Pairs Open and a Ladies Team Open will be held in June at the course which nestles on the banks of the River Dee and is overlooked by the glorious Welsh hills. The Ladies event is planned for the 8th whilst the Mixed competition takes place on the 27th.

A Mixed Team Open (25th), a Ladies Team Open (26th), a Gents Team Open (28th) and a Ladies Pairs Open (29th) are the highlights of July. The Vale of Llangollen course is well conditioned for 365 days of the year but for this week the beautifully manicured fairways and superb greens are expected to be at their very best.

Finally in September another Ladies Team Open will be played. This Am-Am Stableford will take place on Thursday the 9th and is a really great event for any ladies looking to enjoy some Autumnal golf amidst a spectacular setting.

All of these events can be booked on the internet via Vale of Llangollen's secure online booking system - just click on the event above that you are interested in entering for more details and to reserve your place.