Major investment helps create challenging holes

Anyone who has not played Calverley recently is in for a big surprise.

Now part of the Blackshaw Leisure Group, the new owners have made huge investments in the course and seem determined to turn Calverley into one of the top golf courses in the area, with 27 holes to test your skills.

The nine holes previously used as a ‘starter’ course have been rebuilt with USGA standard greens, a project which involved Peter McEvoy, the top British amateur player of the last 30 years and Walker Cup captain.

He has been working with club professional Neil Wendel-Jones to provide a combination of picturesque, interesting and individually challenging holes.

Ilkley Gazette: Calverley Golf Club

Work on upgrading the first nine holes was completed early this year, and now attention is being turned to the other 18 holes.

Land has been acquired, fairways and tees upgraded, and when the project is completed (scheduled for 2012), all 27 greens will be up to USGA standard, the course will be extended and features which detracted from the overall quality of the course eliminated.

The owners’ vision of a 27-hole facility of three loops of nine challenging holes, each loop having slick, true and durable greens, will then be complete and Calverley will be able to hold its head up with any of its peers.

With such improvements on the course, the clubhouse, pictured, has not been neglected and the newly-refurbished building offers superb surroundings in which to sit and enjoy a drink or meal, with airy conservatories.

FACT FILE

Name: Calverley Golf Club

Address: Woodhall Lane, Pudsey, LS28 5QY

Website: calverleygolf.co.uk

Telephone: (0113) 2569244

President: Jeff Backhouse

Club pro: Neil Wendel-Jones, pictured

Annual fee: £545

Visitor fee: £16 Mon-Fri, £20 weekend

Course length: 5,649 yards

Par: 68

Signature hole: 5th – par three with intimidating tee shot over quarry, pictured

Shop: No

Ilkley Gazette: Calverley Golf Club professional Neil Wendel-Jones
Ilkley Gazette: Calverley Golf Club