Beacon Park Ladies Open

Beacon Park Golf Club are now accepting entries for their Ladies Team Open.

The event will be played on Thursday 23rd June and has an entry-fee of just £33 per team of three. Download an entry-form.

Played off full handicap allowance (max 36) this popular event promises to be a wonderful competition with entrants travelling from long distances to enter.

Beacon Park is a fabulous Donald Steel designed course set in scenic Lancashire countryside.

Every hole has been thoughtfully sculpted to take maximum advantage of the natural terrain. The course holds a myriad of secrets with a visit well worth your while in an attempt to unravel them.

Arscott Golf Club Men's Open

Entries are now being accepted for the Gents Pairs Open to be played at the lovely Arscott Golf Club in Shrewsbury.

This event will take place on Sunday 26th June 2011 with early booking highly recommended. The format is a 4-Ball Betterball Stableford with an entry-fee of just £20 per pair! As you may expect places will be snapped up quickly. Download an entry-form.

Arscott Golf Club is well worth a visit. Set in a wonderful location with fantastic views from all parts of the course the 18 hole course has been open since August 1992 but its maturity belies its age.

Massive old oak and beech trees grace the course along with the remains of long forgotten mining and brick making industries. Large pools on the 17th and 18th holes are evidence of the clay dug over 100 years ago for brickworks in nearby Cruckmeole and Hanwood. These pits now create very testing hazards on the last four holes, many golfers will tell you how they can change a winning card!

The clubhouse at Arscott is a most attractive timber framed building with a perfectly positioned balcony to relax with a drink surrounded by stunning scenery.

Boothferry Golf Club 2011 Opens

Entries have now opened for the 2011 open golf competitions to be played at Boothferry Golf Club in Yorkshire.

There will be a total of ten events held at this popular East Yorkshire course in 2011, all offering excellent value for money and a great day of golf.

With events running from June through to November there is truly something for everyone. Places usually fill up quickly at this welcoming venue.

List of events at Boothferry Golf Club:

05/06/2011 > Junior Open - £10 per person

11/06/2011 > Gents Team Open - £80 per team

30/06/2011 > Ladies Team Open - £52 per team

05/07/2011 > Senior Pairs Open - £24 per pair

08/07/2011 > Yorkshire Golf Guide Team Open - £80 per team

24/07/2011 > Mixed Pairs Open - £24 per couple

04/09/2011 > Team Open - £76 per team

06/10/2011 > Senior Pairs Open - £24 per pair

14/10/2011 > Gents Team Open - £72 per team

12/11/2011 > Gents Team Open - £76 per team

Food will be available on the day at each event. View the full list of events at Boothferry Golf Club.

About Boothferry Golf Club

Designed by a legendary modern-day golf course architect, Donald Steel, Boothferry Golf Club is one of the most enjoyable easy walking meadowland courses in East Yorkshire, popular with many visiting golfers.

The Club is also one of the most welcoming and friendly in the area to both for visitors and new members.

This established course in a tranquil setting within the Vale of York is a pleasing test featuring natural dykes that occasionally provide additional challenges on a number of holes!

Boothferry is well worth a visit, with easy access from the M62 (Junction 36) via B1228. Boothferry is 3 miles north of Howden.

Glenbrae become official supplier to the 2011 Four Nations Golf Challenge

Concierge Golf, organisers of the Four Nations Golf Challenge, are proud to announce that Glenbrae is to be the Official Supplier of golf clothing to the 2011 and 2012 FNGC Grand Finals. 

As an Official Supplier, Glenbrae will be supplying all Grand Final competitors with their high quality British made Knitwear, along with range of beautiful coordinating polo shirts, with the appropriate FNGC national crest embroidered on the garments.

Roger Brady, Director of Concierge Golf, said; “We are delighted for the Four Nations Golf Challenge to be associated with Glenbrae who represent the highest possible standard in golf clothing and starting with the 2011 Grand Final at The Oxfordshire, our amateur competitors representing the teams of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, will really look and feel like professionals.”

Andrew Jones, General Manager of Glenbrae, added; “Glenbrae recognised that the Four Nations Golf Challenge follows the traditions of team golf and as such, we wanted to be part of this unique and quality event.”

Open to men and ladies, The Four Nations Golf Challenge will culminate in a Grand Final to be contested by four teams of 12 players representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales at The Oxfordshire Golf Club in the Chiltern Hills from 25 - 28 September, 2011. The 2011 Grand Final will be televised on Sky Sports.

To earn their chance to represent the Champion Golf Nation of the Year, a pair will need to win a maximum of four four-ball, better-ball matches, starting in May, in regional brackets consisting of 16 pairs each. If necessary, depending on the number of entries, a one-day final qualifying event will be held to decide which six pairs will represent their country in the Grand Final.

The Oxfordshire, a spectacular rolling layout designed by Rees Jones and owned by the Leaderboard Group which also includes Chart Hills, Dale Hill and Sandford Springs, opened its own state- of-the-art four-star hotel last May and every finalist will stay free of charge throughout the four days of the Grand Final.

The cost of entry is just £20.00 per person (£40.00 per pair) and entries will close on 30th April 2011. For tournament registration and other information click onto www.fournationsgolfchallenge.co.uk or call the Tournament Office on 01276 35505.

Cocks Moors Woods Ladies Open

Amongst the events listed we are pleased to inform you that entries are now being accepted for the Ladies Open at Cocks Moors Woods Golf Club.

This popular competition will be played on Monday 4th July and takes the format of a 3-Ball Alliance.

It is open to lady golfers with a handicap of 35 or less with great prizes awarded to 6th place. The entry-fee is just £42 per team of three with early booking strongly advised. Download an entry-form.

About the course

Opened in 1926, Cocks Moors Wood boasts an undulating woodland course that can punish the wayward shot. Finding the fairway is an absolute must as there are many meandering streams around the course.

The first is one of the holes that requires great care. On an elevated tee, the brave can attempt to clear the stream with a wood leaving a small chip onto the green.

Most golfers have to judge the wind and slope before choosing anything between a five to a nine iron.

The twelfth hole rewards the bold with a good birdie or eagle opportunity - but beware - a stray drive out of bounds and you'll be lucky to avoid dropping a shot.

A modern leisure centre is adjacent to the course offering excellent bar and catering services.

Gtour Race to Cyprus - King Reigns Supreme at Staverton

The 2011 Gtour Race to Cyprus season got off to a fantastic start on Saturday 19th February at De Vere Staverton Park, Northamptonshire.

In difficult conditions Kevin King came out on top and gained maximum Order of Merit points as all the players look ahead to the grand final at Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus.

On a day where everything went right King was happy with his performance:

“Today was just a great day for me and one of those days where everything seemed to go right and on the greens which were fantastic, I was holing everything from 10ft which made things a lot easier”.

A solid debut performance on tour from Thomas Jones helped him claim the top prize in the Eagle tier followed by Graham Miles and Gary walker respectively.

In the birdie tier behind overall winner King, Lee Parnham and Jayson Liu collected prizes on the day and put themselves in good position for the season ahead.

The top 52 will head to a two day semi-final at De Vere Belton Woods with the top 10 moving forward to the grand final and booking their place on the plane to Cyprus.

With three new dates added already, Friday 11 March at De Vere Oulton Hall, Saturday 2 July at Moor Allerton Golf club and Saturday 16 July at Mannings Heath Golf Club the tour is ever growing in stature.

A sell out field of 52 players played in the first event and with the next two already booked up you have to be quick if you want to be involved in the best amateur tour around.

Membership is free and all you have to do is log on at www.gtour.co.uk and sign up for the next available event.

Tyne Valley Boost For Golf Tourism

Six golf clubs making up the Tyne Valley Golf Alliance have launched a week long Autumn Golf Festival aimed at attracting men & women golfers from the North East & beyond.

Prudhoe 18^th & view of the Tyne Valley

Starting at Prudhoe on Monday 5th September, competitors will move on to Ryton, Garesfield, Stocksfield & Tynedale on the following days with Allendale staging the final event on Saturday 10 September when the lady & gentleman Festival Champions will be crowned.

The Tyne Valley Golf Festival has attracted sponsorship from Newcastle’s County Thistle Hotel & Benton based custom fit specialists, ZFL Golf who will be providing the Champions’ prizes. Support has also been given by One North East tourism & Visit Northumberland who will provide centralised help for golfers wanting to book accommodation near the golf courses.

Each of the six singles Stableford competitions costs only £9 to enter & there are prizes at every event. Competitors can choose how many of the competitions they enter. However, the Festival Championship title is based on the best three scores.

One of the Festival organisers is Prudhoe’s Chairman, John Perry. “Getting the Festival off the ground involved commitment from all the clubs & we are also very grateful to the sponsors. Our aim is to attract more visitors to the beautiful Tyne Valley & its equally stunning golf courses.”

The Tyne Valley Golf Alliance was originally formed in time for the 2009 season. Members from each of the six clubs enjoy up to seven free games at the other five courses. This package is worth over £150 to each member. “Clubs need to retain & attract members,” said Perry. “The free golf package for members of Alliance clubs adds great added value to their annual subscriptions.”

Collaboration on club running costs is another key function for the Alliance as John Perry explained, “We are jointly looking at all aspects of expenditure such as printed materials, bar & catering, course expenditure & asset sharing. A cooperative approach to costs & income will help to ensure our long term future. We would welcome other clubs in the Tyne Valley to join us.”

Shrigley Hall Golf Club Opens

Entries are now open for the events to be played at Shrigley Hall Golf Club in 2011.

There are five competitions held at this fantastic venue during 2011. The first of which is a Senior Pairs Open on Tuesday 5th July. This Betterball Stableford event has an entry-fee of £30 per pair and includes coffee on arrival. The maximum handicap to enter is 28 but a 3/4 allowance will operate on the day.

Four days later on Saturday 9th July the Gents Pairs Open will take place. Also a Betterball Stableford with the same handicap requirements this competition will fill up very quickly with an entry-fee of just £30 per pair. Complimentary coffee is provided on arrival.

The "Shrigley 200 Challenge" is a team competition on Saturday 6th August and is not to be missed! This Am-Am is open to men and ladies with maximum handicaps of 28 and 36 respectively. Entry is £100 per team of four and coffee is included prior to your round.

The annual Ladies Team Open is scheduled for Tuesday 9th August. Entry is £60 per team of four with the best two scores to count. This event is open to ladies with a handicap of 36 or less and once again complimentary coffee is available on arrival.

Finally, another Senior Pairs Open will be held on Monday 12th September. This has a similar criteria to the July event with early booking strongly advised.

About the course

Set in 262 acres of glorious Cheshire countryside, Shrigley Hall boasts a true Championship course and is a real test of skill and stamina, whatever your handicap.

The 18-hole, par-71 course was designed by celebrated architect Donald Steel, who’s worked on every Open Championship venue in the country.

The course takes you through magnificent woodland and open parkland. Its toughest challenges are the 8th (par 3), with a meandering stream, ponds either side and a woodland backdrop, and the tricky 18th (par 5) with its sweeping dog-leg, bordering our superb fishing lake.

Rye Hill Golf Club 2011 Opens

We're pleased to inform you that entries are now open for the events to be played at Rye Hill Golf Club in 2011.

There are five competitions held at this excellent golf club during August kicking-off with a Gents Individual Open on Sunday the 7th. This is a medal tournament which includes coffee/tea and a bacon bap on arrival and is followed by a 2-course meal with coffee. Entry represents very good value at just £35 with early booking advised.

The annual Ladies Pairs Open takes place on Wednesday 17th August. This Betterball Stableford event has an entry-fee of just £50 per pair which includes coffee/tea and pastries on your arrival plus Oxfordshire Cream Tea afterwards.

Senior golfers will be pleased to hear that the Senior Pairs Open will be held on Thursday 18th August. This Betterball Stableford has an entry-fee of £50 per pair (including coffee/tea and bacon bap on arrival plus a 2-course meal after the round). Places usually fill up quickly in this popular competition.

Meanwhile, golfers at the other end of the age spectrum can enjoy the Junior Pairs Open the following day on Friday 19th August. Also a Betterball Stableford this competition costs just £40 per pair to enter. The day is concluded with a 1-course meal for all competitors.

The final tournament is the Mixed Pairs Open for the John Day Trophy. The format is also Betterball Stableford and for £55 per couple it includes coffee/tea and pastries prior to your round and Oxfordshire Cream Tea afterwards. This event is scheduled for Sunday 21st August with early entries recommended.

About the course

Rye Hill is a traditional parkland course, with heathland features and panoramic views.

Benefiting from free drainage, the course is playable in the wettest of weather and trolleys can be used all year. It will test the abilities of both high and low handicappers with its strategically placed bunkers to catch wayward shots and the often large and undulated greens.

No houses or suburban developments can be seen from any point on the course, only the picturesque church at Bloxham coming into view on a few holes. The rest is left to the rolling countryside, wildlife and lakes. Set on high ground with magnificent views across Oxfordshire, the course is a hidden haven.

Cox finishes with a birdie bonanza

DAVENPORT assistant Graham Cox fired a final round 67 to win the PGA North Region Glenmuir Overseas Pro-am at Algarve resort Laranjal.

And he achieved it in style by birdying the last four holes on his way to a nine-under-par aggregate.

That left him six ahead of half-way leader Matthew Tottey, the double PGA assistants’ champion attached to North Wales Golf Club, who signed off with 68.

Darren Leng, from East Yorkshire club Far Grange, carded 69 to finish third nine strokes adrift of the mark.

DETAILS: 280 Graham Cox (Davenport) 75 70 68 67; 286 Matthew Tottey (North Wales) 71 71 76 68; 289 Darren Leng (Far Grange) 78 74 68 69; 296 Ryan O’Neill (Penwortham) 82 73 72 69.

Take five as Cox pulls clear

GRAHAM Cox pulled away from the chasing pack with a third round 68 in the PGA North Region Glenmuir Overseas Pro-am at Algarve resort Oceanico.

The Davenport assistant goes into the final day five shots clear of half-way leader Matthew Tottey, attached to North Wales Golf Club, who carded a 76.

Cox reeled off six birdies in 12 holes from the second, erring once with a bogey at the 10th and at four-under-par is the only player in red figures.

Darren Leng, from East Yorkshire club Far Grange, also posted 68 to move into third place seven off the pace.

DETAILS: 213 Graham Cox (Davenport) 75 70 68; 218 Matthew Tottey (North Wales) 71 71 76; 220 Darren Leng (Far Grange) 78 74 68; 227 Ryan O’Neill (Penwortham) 82 73 72, Brian Rumney (Arcot Hall) 81 75 71.

The Trilby Tour announces a prestigious line-up for the 2011 Amateur Championships.

The Trilby Tour continues to go from strength to strength as it announces the line-up of an incredible club list for the 2011 season. Venues span the breadth of the country including Trevose in Cornwall and Rockliffe Hall in Durham whilst Slieve Russell in Co. Cavan hosts the Ireland Championship this summer.

Other venues include Donnington Grove in Berkshire, Goodwood in Sussex and Old Thorns in Hampshire.

Last year’s clubs the KP Club, The Oxfordshire and Marriott Sprowston Manor make a return in 2011 to feature in the Trilby Tour for the second year running.

William Hunt says: “We’ve got some cracking courses this year sure to test the toughest of players. I don’t intend to make it easy for them - that’s not what the Trilby Tour is about. But we’ll see who rises to the top, and these boys love a challenge!”

2011 Venues

May 12th - Donnington Grove, Berkshire

May 18th – Old Thorns, Hampshire

May 24th - Trevose, Cornwall

June 2nd – KP Club, Yorkshire

June 30th – Rockliffe Hall, Durham

July 14th – Slieve Russell, Ireland

July 21st – Goodwood, Sussex

July 29th – Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire

August 4th – Marriott Sprowston Manor

About the Trilby Tour

The Trilby Tour is a multi event amateur golf tournament event created by William Hunt where amateurs compete under professional conditions for the chance to win the top Winner Takes All prize.

Each round is broadcast as part of a summer series on Sky Sports with the top prize going to the winner of the final event. Players pay a £250 entry fee and are kitted out with William Hunt outfit, trilby hat, limited edition Callaway golf bag, and caddy outfit.

A Professional Event for Amateurs

The appeal of the tournament lies in its unusual competitive format and concludes with a 4-man, 3-hole shootout to decide the winner.

The tournament has had an incredibly enthusiastic response from the Amateur community with players hailing it the closest experience to a Professional event. Die-hard fans return year after year gripped by its fierce competitive format:

“I love to see grown men shaking at the first tee – some of them think they have it all under control and then they break like a pack of cards in front of the cameras. And then they relive that moment when the screening comes out – now that’s hard.”

“It’s fantastic to see the Trilby Tour community growing; we have some guys coming back each year – I call them Trilby Tourians. There’s a brilliant camaraderie on and off the course and we’ve even created our own mini Facebook on the website where players can meet up and get together for a practice round or social.”

Enter

The 2011 tournament is now sold out but a waiting list is open for those who wish to put their name down with a £50 fully refundable deposit. See website for details www.williamhunttrilbytour.com

Tottey stays in front

MATTHEW Tottey extended his two shot overnight lead to three with a repeat of his first round 71 in the PGA North Region Glenmuir Overseas Pro-am at Algarve resort Oceanico.

He remained the only player to lie under par on two-under at the half-way stage as Davenport assistant Graham Cox took up the running as nearest challenger, adding 70 to his opening 75.

Tottey, tournament professional attached to North Wales Golf Club and twice PGA national assistants’ champion, was a model of consistency on another testing day.

DETAILS: 142 Matthew Tottey (North Wales) 71 71; 145 Graham Cox (Davenport) 75 70; 151 Robin Welsby (Zur Vahr) 73 78, A Stevens (Davenport) 77 74; James Sibbles (Bradford) 79 72.

Matt’s the way to do it

MATTHEW Tottey was the only player to break par in testing conditions in the first round of the PGA North Region Glenmuir Overseas Pro-am at Algarve resort Vila Sol.

The tournament professional, attached to North Wales Golf Club, fired a one-under 71 which featured an eagle at the 14th and a brace of birdies.

Tottey, twice PGA national assistants’ champion, leads by two strokes from former Mobberley professional Robin Welsby who is based at German club Zur Vahr.

DETAILS: 71 Matthew Tottey (North Wales); 73 Robin Welsby (Zur Vahr); 75 Graham Cox (Davenport); 76 Martin Longshaw (Haigh Hall), Mark Bradley (Chorley).

Northern golfers quick on the uptake

Amateur club golfers from across the North of England have been quick to sign-up for the 2011 Northern Matchplay Golf Championship.

Wallasey Golf Club - host of the Cheshire regional final

Almost 200 different golf clubs are already represented in what is dubbed 'The Race to Alwoodley' and with the closing date still over six weeks away this number is likely to double before the draw for the first round is made. 

Many golf clubs have several players registered for the season-long knockout competition, that has a 72-hole, two-day grand final at The Alwoodley Golf Club in Leeds, so a keenly contested championship is expected.

Prior to that golfers must compete against their fellow county-men to reach their regional final. The six venues lined up are golf courses of the top-order, all of them used by the R&A for Open Championship Qualifying purposes, and feature in the higher echelons of the various 'top 100' golf course rankings.

Wallasey will host the Cheshire regional final whilst West Lancs has been chosen for Lancashire. Pannal is the venue for the Yorkshire finale with Silloth-on-Solway the Cumbrian and Seaton Carew the Durham final venue. Berwick-upon-Tweed stages the Northumberland final.

Entry is just £15 for the individual tournament and £25 per pair for the Betterball Pairs. Those interested in entering can do so at www.northernmatchplay.com

Four Nations Golf Challenge to be broadcast on Sky Sports

It has been confirmed that the 2011 Grand Final of the Four Nations Golf Challenge, scheduled to be held at The Oxfordshire from 25th to 28th September, is to be broadcast on Sky Sports.

Concierge Golf Limited, owners and organisers of the event, have engaged SGTV Productions to produce the programme. SGTV Productions is a sports television production company that supplies quality programming to major UK broadcasters. SGTV has a reputation for delivering quality and affordable programmes with high production values and has an excellent relationship with Sky Sports, having produced many golf programmes for broadcast on Sky over the years.

Roger Brady, Director of Concierge Golf Limited, said; “We are delighted to have partnered with SGTV and to have the 2011 Grand Final at The Oxfordshire televised on Sky Sports. This is another indication of the high level of interest in the Four Nations Golf Challenge and adds to the prestige of this unique event for all of our competitors trying to make their National team and experience their own Ryder Cup moment.”

Gary Wolstenholme, MBE, added; “I can tell you that there is no better feeling than playing for your Country and being part of a team. When I first heard about the Four Nations Golf Challenge I thought “what a brilliant idea” as it offers that opportunity to Club golfers to qualify for their national team and experience the kind of nail-biting finish witnessed in the final of the recent Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor”.

To earn their chance to represent the Champion Golf Nation of the Year, a pair will need to win a maximum of four four-ball, better-ball matches, starting in May, in regional brackets consisting of 16 pairs each. If necessary, depending on the number of entries, a one-day final qualifying event will be held to decide which six pairs will represent their country in the Grand Final.

The 2011 FNGC Grand Final venue is The Oxfordshire, a spectacular rolling layout designed by Rees Jones and owned by the Leaderboard Group which also includes Chart Hills, Dale Hill and Sandford Springs, opened its own state- of-the-art four-star hotel last May and every finalist will stay free of charge throughout the four days of the Grand Final.

The cost of entry is just £20.00 per person (£40.00 per pair) and entries will close on 30th April 2011. For tournament registration and other information click onto www.fournationsgolfchallenge.co.uk or call 01276 35505.

Gtour 'Race to Cyprus' Starts with the Gschool

The 2011 Gtour ‘Race to Cyprus’ is ready and raring to go and is set to start with something different this year. The launch event taking place on Friday 18th Feb at De Vere Staverton Park will see the first ever Gschool providing a full days coaching with two of the UK's best coaches.

Coaching sessions will be presented by Adam Sprackling of Single Minded Golf who attended the Wokefield Park Gtour event in 2010 and Neil Plimmer who is recognised as one of the UK's top 25 golf coaches by Golf Monthly Magazine.

Sprackling is excited to be involved with the tour once again: “It's fantastic to be invited to be Gtour’s official Mind Coach. I’ve loved assisting through online coaching and a live group “Mind Clinic” in 2010 – I’ve been really inspired by such an enthusiastic and friendly tour. I’m now looking forward to kicking off the GSchool in February and helping more players bring out the kind of golf they know they can play.”

Following the announcement in January of the 2011 Race to Cyprus format, the UK semi-final and the grand final at Aphrodite Hills Cyprus, further dates have now been added to the calendar including a trip to De Vere Oulton Hall on Friday 11th March.

Steve Dacre, De Vere Group Golf Sales Manager said: “De Vere Hotels, Resorts and Venues are supporting Gtour for the 3rd year running following a very successful series of events in 2010. Having personally joined the De Vere Group 6 months ago, it’s refreshing to work in partnership with a well established and polished amateur tour which due to popular demand is looking to increase its event calendar for 2011 and no doubt will be another huge success.”

The tour starts in February 2011 at De Vere Staverton Park on Saturday 19th.

For further information visit www.gtour.co.uk

Open competitions at Warrington Golf Club

Entries are now open for the open events to be played at Warrington Golf Club in 2011.

There are seven competitions held at this lovely club between May and August which kick-off with a Senior Pairs Open on Wednesday 4th May. This is a Fourball Betterball tournament for gentlemen aged 55+ and has an entry-fee of £58 per pair which includes a meal and the ball sweep.

Another Senior Pairs Open, with the same format as above, takes place on Wednesday 27th July. Both events operate a 3/4 handicap allowance and usually fill up very quickly so early booking is advised.

A Ladies Pairs Open will be held on Friday 20th May and at just £28 per pair represents excellent value. It is a Fourball Betterball Stableford played off 3/4 handicap for female golfers with a maximum handicap of 30 with prizes awarded to 3rd place.

The ever-popular Gents Pairs Open, a Betterball Stableford, is an event where you will need to get your entries in quickly in order to take part. Played on Sunday 10th July this is one of the highlights of the year with the entry-fee of £58 per pair including a meal. Prizes are awarded to 3rd place and the entry-fee includes the ball sweep.

Meanwhile a Mixed Pairs Open is scheduled for later in the month (Sunday 31st July). This event is a Greensome Stableford for couples and is played off a half combined handicap allowance. The entry-fee is £30 per couple with prizes for the top three pairs.

A similar event, a Seniors Mixed Pairs Open, is held on Friday 26th August for men aged 55+ and ladies aged 50+. Again, this is a Greensome Stableford with an entrance fee of £30 per couple.

Finally, the annual Junior Open will be played on Monday 25th July. This is an 18 hole individual medal for boys (max handicap 28) and girls (max handicap 36) aged 18 or under on the 1st January 2011. There are nett and gross prizes plus nearest-the-pin and longest drive prizes. Entry is £8 per person.

About the course

The Warrington Golf Club was founded in 1903 and is located on the south side of the town. Being positioned at the highest point in Warrington, it affords fine views of the local area as well as the Pennines and Welsh hills.

The heathland course is noted for its natural surroundings, including fine views of Lancashire, Cheshire and the Welsh hills. The course measures 6,211 yards, par 71 for men and 5,700 yards, par 73 for ladies and is a fair and enjoyable test for any level of golfer.

Recent improvements to the course and its woodland areas have created a layout that is both a challenging test of golf and an enjoyable experience. The imposing clubhouse also has excellent bar and catering services for the hungry and thirsty golfer at the end of a round.

Open competitions at Warrington are always well attended with a number of repeat visitors each year.

Burnley Golf Club 2011 Opens

We are delighted to inform you that Burnley Golf Club in Lancashire have now released details about some of their open competitions for 2011.

The club run a series of popular events and we have highlighted some of the best ones below, along with direct links to the entry-forms for your convenience.

The first event is fast approaching and you will need to be quick to secure a place.

The Ladies 'Bunny Hop' Team Open is scheduled for Thursday 17th March and is a great way for female golfers to kick-off the start of the golfing season. It is a 12-hole Stableford (teams of 3) where the best two scores count. Entry is excellent value at just £15 per team!

A Mixed Team Open will be played on Sunday 29th May (Bank Holiday weekend). This Stableford event usually fills up quickly and at £40 per team of four it's easy to see why.

The annual Seniors Mixed Pairs Open, for golfers over the age of 50 years, will take place on Wednesday 14th September and promises to be a fantastic day for couples, the format being a Greensome Medal. Entry is £20 per pair.

Two other competitions not to be missed for mixed golfing couples are the Betterball Stableford on Sunday 10th July and the Greensome Medal Turkey Shoot on Sunday 2nd October. Early booking is highly recommended for both with the entry-fee £20 per couple for each tournament.

Finally, another Ladies Team Open is planned for the end of the season on Thursday 27th October. This a 12-hole 'Halloween' themed competition (teams of 3) where the best 2 scores count. Entry is £15 per team and with limited daylight early entry is suggested to secure a place.

About Burnley Golf Club

Burnley Golf Club ranks amongst the most popular golf courses in Lancashire and those who visit always make a vow to return. The open competitions at the club always see many 'repeat' players.

It is a James Braid designed course which weaves across the West Pennine Moors making excellent use of the contours of the land. Founded in 1905 as a nine-hole course, Glen View was lengthened to 18 holes in 1914. In the years since then, the course has been continually improved, as has the clubhouse itself, making available modern facilities to visitors.

Fair but challenging, the Glen View course (as Burnley Golf Club is known locally) stands on the fringe of the Habergham Eaves moors. It is a course which makes excellent use of the rolling countryside and offers a true test to golfers of every standard. There are four par threes and one par five for a total of 69, but when the wind blows several of the par four holes play more like par fives!

Glen View has a number of holes to challenge the best golfer but many would rate the 5th as the most difficult, with out of bounds all the way down one side and a water hazard (river) all the way across the fairway. This same river, incidentally, has to be negotiated on the 3rd, 4th and 17th holes.

The hole classed as the easiest according to the stroke index can, on occasion, prove to be the most difficult. From the tee, the 18th is a straight-forward downhill hole requiring a good tee shot, but there is an intimidating out-of-bounds on the right-hand side and when the prevailing wind blows, five off the tee is by no means uncommon! This hole has spoilt many a good card.

The par threes are all testing for different reasons, with the 11th regarded as their ‘signature’ hole.

As well as being a very pleasant place to enjoy a round of golf, Glen View offers magnificent panoramic views. The surrounding villages are all in sight and beyond Pendle Hill can be seen the 'Three Peaks' of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent, and on a very clear day the Lakeland hills come into view. Over to east there is a good view of the Cliviger wind farm in operation.

Visitors are always assured of a warm welcome at Burnley Golf Club.

Four Nations Golf Challenge

“I encourage you to enter the unique Four Nations Golf Challenge and experience the best feeling in golf!”

“Having represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup on six occasions and England a record 218 times, I can tell you that there is no better feeling than playing for your Country and being part of a team.

"When I first heard about the Four Nations Golf Challenge I thought “what a brilliant idea” as it offers that opportunity to Club golfers of all handicaps. You and your golfing partner simply have to try and qualify for your nation’s team, compete in the 2011 Grand Final at The Oxfordshire and experience your own Ryder Cup moment.”

Gary Wolstenhome, MBE, Ambassador to The Four Nations Golf Challenge.

WHY YOU SHOULD ENTER THE FOUR NATIONS GOLF CHALLENGE:

YOU COULD:

1. Play for your Country

2. Experience your own ‘Ryder Cup Moment’

3. Win an ‘International Cap’

4. Enjoy 3 nights accommodation and all meals at The Oxfordshire

5. Receive ‘Team Clothing’, goodies and prizes

6. Be on Sky Sports!

7. Win a ‘Scotty Cameron’ putter IF YOU ENTER BEFORE 28TH FEBRUARY 2011

Go to www.fournationsgolfchallenge.co.uk and register your entry online. Or call the Tournament Office on 01276 35505.

When registering please use Promo Code: GE02

Records tumble in North Region

PGA North Region professionals are on course for another record-breaking season. Nine Order of Merit tournaments – one more than the previous best established last year – carry an unprecedented £110,000 prize-fund.

New to the schedule is a pro-am at Yorkshire club Cottingham Park which gets the campaign under way in mid May and is one of four team events featuring three amateurs and one professional which will count for ranking points.

The others are the Albert Gubay Charity Classic at Isle of Man resort Mount Murray; the Kerr Investments Cumbria Classic at Carlisle and Penrith and the Rocar Moores Fixby Classic played over the Huddersfield course.

The five “majors” are the Phoenix Gas Classic at Wychwood Park – the region’s most southerly outpost – the Spirotech Open at Manchester’s Marriott Worsley Park; the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore; the De Vere Leeds Cup at Oulton Hall and finally the De Vere PGA North Region Championship at Heron’s Reach in Blackpool.

Additionally, there are new pro-ams at Davyhulme Park and Macclesfield to sit alongside the established ones at Brough, Windermere and Royal St David’s and Aberdovey.

Maly, embarking on his fourth season at the helm, said: “We bucked the trend last year and have continued to do so this time. To increase our Order of Merit events is fantastic and we’re delighted that existing sponsors are supporting us again.”

Staverton Park 2011 Opens

Staverton Park Golf Club are running six events in 2011 that are well worth taking a look at... but don't delay in sending off your entry-forms as places are usually taken very quickly at this popular venue.

The first event is a Seniors Open and will be played on Thursday 19th May. This Pairs Stableford event is open to golfers aged 55+ and has an entry-fee of £44 per pair.

A Seniors Individual Stableford, also for golfers aged 55+, is scheduled for Thursday 29th September with an entrance fee of £22 per person. 

Meanwhile, the popular Seniors Mixed Team Open will be held on Thursday 21st July. At £100 per team (2 men & 2 ladies) this event represents fabulous value as it includes coffee on arrival and a meal afterwards. There are excellent prizes up for gra bs in this Am-Am where the best male and female score is to count on each hole.

There are two fantastic Ladies Team Opens to be played in 2011. The first ladies event will be held on Tuesday 21st June 2011 and is an Am-Am played off a 7/8 handicap allowance. Entry is £50 per team of four, which includes coffee on arrival, insurance & prizes. Food is available to order on arrival.

The second ladies open takes place during the Autumn (Tuesday 20th September) but entries should be lodged as soon as possible to secure a place. At £37.50 per team of three (including coffee on arrival, insurance & prizes) it represents good value. The best 2 scores count on each hole and once again a 7/8 handicap allowance will be applied on the day.

Finally, a Mixed Team Open will be held on Sunday 9th October. The format is a 4-Ball Am-Am (2 men & 2 ladies) where the best gentleman and lady score on each hole. Including coffee on arrival, a meal, insurance and prizes the entry-fee of £100 per team is excellent value and tee-times will no doubt be snapped up very quickly.

Entry-forms for all the above competitions can be downloaded here.

About the course...

Staverton Park Golf Club is a mature and championship standard 18 hole golf course set in 140 acres of beautiful Northamptonshire countryside.

With 4 small lakes and 64 American-style sand traps, Staverton Park offers a challenge to players of all abilities.

Established in 1977, it is an undulating parkland course and hosts Regional, County and Midland PGA Events each year. It is well known for the friendly atmosphere that pervades throughout the club and open competitions here are always well worth entering.

Haydock Park Golf Club 2011 Open Events

Haydock Park Golf Club are now accepting entries for their 2011 open golf competitions.

There are two extremely popular Mixed Pairs Opens to be held at the Merseyside club this summer.

The first mixed event will be played on Sunday 5th June and is a Betterball Stableford for couples with maximum handicaps of 24 (men) and 36 (ladies) - a 7/8 allowance applied on the day. Entry is just £24 per couple. 

The second mixed competition, on Sunday 28th August, follows a similar format but has an entry-fee of just £20 per couple and is held to raise funds for charity.

The annual 4-Person Team Open is scheduled for Thursday 7th July with early booking highly recommended. It is open to men (max handicap 24) and ladies (max handicap 36) with the best 2 Stableford scores to count on each hole. The cost of entry is just £48 per team.

Finally, a Ladies Team Open is taking place on Thursday 4th August for players with a maximum handicap of 36 (7/8 allowance). The format is a Stableford competition with the best 2 scores to count. Entry is £48 per team of four ladies.

Senior Opens

The two Senior Pairs Opens that will be held at Haydock Park are amongst the most popular in the North-West.

Both are Betterball Stableford competitions open to men aged 55+ holding a maximum active handicap of 24 (3/4 allowance).

Entry is excellent value at £30 per pair and places will no doubt be snapped up very quickly.

Entry-forms can be found below:

#1: Friday 13th May 2011

#2: Friday 23rd September 2011

About the course

Founded in 1877, Haydock Park Golf Club is a well-established golf course situated near Haydock Park Racecourse. It is a mature parkland course of just over 6,000 yards.

The course was designed by the famous golf course architect James Braid. It 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, for both high and low handicappers.

Open events are always well attended with spaces taken up very quickly.

Senior Opens at Huddersfield Golf Club

We've just received notification this morning that Huddersfield Golf Club in West Yorkshire have released some more tee-times in their two Senior Pairs Opens.

Both events had virtually filled up but the club have just made some more times available at the beginning and end of the field. Entries will be accepted on a 'first-come, first-served' basis and are sure to be snapped up very quickly.

The new tee-times in both events are 8am until 9am and 3.30pm until 4pm.

Priority entry-forms can be downloaded below:

• Monday 25th July: Seniors Open at Huddersfield GC - £50 per pair
• Thursday 25th August: Seniors Open at Huddersfield GC - £50 per pair 

Both tournaments are 4-Ball Betterball's played off 3/4 handicap allowance and are open to golfers aged over 55 holding an active handicap of 24 or less. Coffee & biscuits are included on your arrival and there are complimentary range balls to use prior to play.

Other Events:

Places are also filling quickly in other events at Fixby. The Mixed Greensomes on Sunday 24th July is a popular event for couples and the Gents Pairs Open on Wednesday 22nd July is always well attended.

There are just 3 places remaining to the next Fixby Winter Series event on Friday 18th February 2011 and the final competition on Friday 1st April is also rapidly filling up.

About Huddersfield Golf Club

Huddersfield Golf Club is a true championship golf course in West Yorkshire. Fixby, as it is often referred to, is a regular venue for the Yorkshire County Championship and was a Brabazon Trophy qualifying venue in 2009.

It has held numerous European Tour Seniors events and is located just one mile from junction 24 of the M62.

Entries Now Open at Walsall Golf Club

Walsall Golf Club are now accepting entries for their 2011 open events with early booking highly advised to secure a place.

Lady golfers will be pleased to know that the club's popular Three-Ball Alliance will be held on Wednesday 15th June. Open to players with a maximum handicap of 30 this event has an entry-fee of just £30 per team. 

A Senior Ladies Pairs Open is also held later in the year (Wednesday 21st September) for players aged 50+ with a handicap of 32 or less. Entry is £20 per pair for this Fourball Betterball competition.

There are also two Mixed Opens to be played at the popular West Midlands golf club. The first, on Sunday 24th July, is a Team Alliance (2 men & 2 ladies) with the best gents & ladies score to count on each hole. The cost is £100 per team which includes a 2-course meal with coffee. Maximum handicap limits are 22 (men) and 32 (ladies).

The second mixed competition is a Greensome Stableford on Thursday 25th August. At just £20 per couple tee-times will go quickly in this event for men (max 18 hcp) and ladies (max 30 hcp).

The annual Senior Men's Open will be played on Thursday 11th August and is once again an Individual Stableford for men (aged 58+) with a handicap of 24 or less. Entry is £17 per person.

Events conclude on Saturday 3rd September with the staging of the Men's Open Alliance. This Betterball Stableford, for men with a maximum handicap of 24, has an entry-fee of £36 per pair and is always well attended.

Entry-forms for all the above events can be downloaded here.

About the course

Formed in 1907, The Walsall Golf Club is situated in the West Midlands just a short distance from the Midlands Motorways link.

The 18 hole course has an abundance of sand traps with each and every green closely guarded by bunkers requiring a precise second shot.

The layout is little changed from Dr Mackenzie's original design but a careful programme of tree planting over the last fifty years means that every fairway is tree lined calling for greater accuracy from the tee than most courses.

Belton Woods Mixed Open

The popular Mixed Pairs Open at Belton Woods will be held on Monday 2nd May 2011 over the Woodside course.

The event is a Betterball Stableford with an entry-fee of just £35 per couple. With it being a Bank Holiday places are expected to be taken very quickly.

It is open to golfers with maximum handicaps of 24 (men) and 36 (ladies). A 3/4 allowance will operate on the day and active CONGU handicaps are required.

Early booking is recommended and a priority entry-form can be downloaded here.

About the course...

Established in 1991 and based at the outstanding 475 acre resort complex of De Vere Belton Woods near Grantham, Lincolnshire the resort offers a challenge for golfers of all abilities and all ages.

With its excellent 4 star 96 room hotel facility and many woodland lodges, Belton Woods has matured into one of the premier “must play” golf resorts.

The championship Woodside course is now enhanced by three years of major bunker redesigns giving the course a truly unique feel and at times visually stunning challenge.

You will find the golfing staff friendly and happy to do everything they can to make your visit an enjoyable one.

Fairways Mixed Golf Competitions & Holidays

Fairways Mixed Golf events and holidays all offer superb value at first class golfing resorts with experienced organisers to ensure that everyone has a wonderful time. 

For 2011 they have three mixed golfing holidays abroad, at five-star resorts, plus two and three day mixed golfing breaks, during the summer, at some of the UK’s finest golfing hotels. Click here to see a full schedule of 2011 events.

• Exclusively for mixed golfing couples
• Mixed events, competitions & holidays
• Fabulous golfing hotels with superb courses

• Trophy Tournaments include 3 days golf with 2 nights DB&B
• Sunday Bests include 2 days golf with Sunday night DB&B
• Holidays are 7 days B&B including 4 rounds of golf and 3 group dinners

During the last fifteen years Fairways have arranged many thousands of rounds of mixed golf, in the UK and abroad, including mixed golf holidays to Bermuda, Thailand, Mauritius, Cyprus, Spain and Portugal. Fairways are solely focused on providing the very best events at the finest golfing hotels, playing golf over superb courses and all at great value for money. 

In all of their events, competitions and holidays you will play with your partner for each round of golf and will be paired with other mixed couples and/or may choose to play with friends. Competitions are usually mixed betterball stablefords so you will always enjoy a full round of golf.

For your complete financial security Fairways Limited act as agents for ABTA/ATOL Tour Operators.

Baildon Ladies Open

Lady golfers are strongly advised to get their forms posted off for the Baildon Ladies Open as soon as possible because entries are now open.

The event is taking place on Friday 27th May 2011 and with the cost of entry just £40 per team of four places are expected to be taken quickly. This fantastic event always offers a wonderful day of golf on one of Yorkshire's top courses with golfers travelling from far and wide to play in it.

The competition is open to lady golfers with a maximum handicap of 36 whilst a 7/8 allowance will be in operation on the day.

Early booking is recommended and a priority entry-form can be downloaded here.

About the course...

Baildon Golf Club’s unique lay out and rolling panoramic views from well manicured greens and closely mown yet generous fairways are second to none.

This superb 18 hole course is cut out of the moorland and was designed by Tom Morris, James Braid and Joe Wilkinson. The heritage the course retains, from remaining mostly unchanged since it was laid out, is complemented by the contemporary clubhouse that boasts all the modern amenities and welcoming atmosphere needed to make it a popular venue for open competitions.

The course being virtually treeless gives you the opportunity to experience the type of golf that lures so many of the greats to play whatever the weather in The Open Championship. It is this likeness to the classic open courses that gave a helping hand to Baildon’s most famous member Gordon J Brand who finished 2nd to Greg Norman in the 1986 Open.

Woodham Seniors Open

The Men's Seniors Open at Woodham Golf & Country Club will be held on Friday 29th July 2011.

The event is a 4BBB Stableford with an entry-fee of just £18 per pair. It is open to golfers aged 55+ with a maximum handicap of 28 (max 18 shots). Prizes will be awarded to 6th place along with nearest-the-pin & longest drive prizes.

Early booking is recommended and a priority entry-form can be downloaded here.

About the course...

For those not familiar with Woodham it is one of the finest in the North. The 18-hole championship course, set in 229 acres of mature parkland, features lakes and woodland which form part of the picturesque setting.

It is a delight to play and offers a friendly welcome to visiting golfers.