Delamere Forest celebrates its course make-over

This Autumn, Delamere Forest Golf Club near Chester is celebrating the culmination of a six-year programme to revert one of England’s finest heathland championship courses back to its original 1910 design.

Famed for its rolling fairways - interspersed with heather and gorse, crowned by fast, subtle greens - Delamere Forest has often been described as something of a ‘hidden gem’ in the north-west of England.

Under the expert guidance of international golf course architects Mackenzie & Ebert, the entire course has been completely transformed since 2012 - with every bunker returned to its Herbert Fowler design and the greens enlarged to provide pin placement options and run-off areas.

Officially opened in 1912 with a challenge match featuring James Braid, Ted Ray, Sandy Herd and James Arundel - who between them held seven Open Championship titles and one US Open victory - the course was ready for change a century later. Alternations included adding eight spectacular new tees to restore the challenge for the scratch golfer and lengthening of the 18^th  hole.

The final alternation came this year when the 15^th hole was transformed to soften off the green and make it a better target for short shots. “It was the weakest hole on the course, but it’s redesign has strengthened the whole course shape and will benefit the overall playing experience,” said Tom Mackenzie, who oversaw the project. “It’s a lovely place to play golf,” he added.

The course is currently ranked 44^th in England by Top 100 Golf Courses and the rated as the best inland course in Cheshire.

Men’s Captain Steve Lamb commented: “It’s been a long process of change for the Club, but the outcome has been well worth the wait and all of the members are proud to show visitors just how well the course plays and how good it looks. “Delamere Forest has always had a strong reputation as a quality course with great turf and superb greens. Now we believe that reputation will be enhanced with the changes that we’ve made under the direction of one of the world’s most respected course architects,” he added.       

Club Chairman Ruth Whitehead said: “The members are pleased with the changes and find the new 15^th an exciting and challenging hole, which has bedded in well considering the dry weather this year.”

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