Historic club in beautiful setting has testing holes

The oldest golf club in Leeds is situated at the centre of Moravian Church activity in Britain.

The Moravian community of Fulneck was founded by Count Zinzendorf of Moravia in 1746, and the village was built by 1771.

The nine-hole golf course was founded in 1892, and has developed into a picturesque, tricky site with a welcoming feel.

Yorkshire cricketing legend Sir Len Hutton was a junior member who went on to become club captain, and it has another claim to fame.

In 1989, Steve Pullan became only the second person ever recorded to score two holes-in-one in consecutive holes – the 12th and 13th, both of which were played in pouring rain.

Ilkley Gazette: Fulneck Golf Club

Situated behind the Moravian Church, the clubhouse, pictured, stands above a valley, with part of the course on the slopes and part in the valley, negotiating the curves of Tong Beck, which provides a difficult accompaniment to the middle holes.

If you manage to stay out of its reach, you’ll doubtless appreciate the beauty it adds to the course.

The fifth is a testing hole, a dog-leg left with the beck to the left and a large sycamore tree hampering anything which is pushed out to the right.

The clubhouse has a commanding view, and after the long climb up the ninth twice, it’s a welcoming sight for most golfers.

The final hole is also one of the most difficult holes – at 409 yards long, you need two good shots and disaster awaits on either side.

The club shares a professional, Geoff Whitham, with East Bierley.

FACT FILE

Name: Fulneck Golf Club

Address: Fulneck, Pudsey, LS28 8NT

Website: fulneckgolfclub.co.uk

Telephone: (0113) 2565191

President: Ray Howard

Club pro: Geoff Whitham, pictured

Annual fee: £440

Visitor fee: £18

Course length: 5,456 yards

Par: 66

Signature hole: 5th – par 4 dog-leg left with a beck and trees

Shop: Yes

Ilkley Gazette: Fulneck Golf Club professional Geoff Whitham
Ilkley Gazette: Fulneck Golf Club