Undiscovered treasure

Yorkshire

WE start in England's largest county, and specifically in its furthest outpost to the east. It is easy to combine a golf and city break here and as one of Yorkshire's key cities, Hull has transformed itself over the last five years. Located on the banks of the Rivers Hull and Humber, this is a city that knows how to combine a rich heritage with a fun and vibrant social scene.

But should you wish to take things at a more relaxed pace, the rural nature of this area lends itself perfectly to a quiet break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Explore a dramatic landscape from the chalk uplands and woodlands, to the soaring cliffs of Flamborough and Sewerby above the crashing waves of the North Sea.

Enjoy the freshest of fish-and-chip suppers in the breezy seaside resorts of Bridlington, Hornsea and Withernsea, and admire the full beauty of the East Yorkshire coast along the famous Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail.

In fact, Bridlington could be described as the perfect holiday getaway with two award-winning beaches of golden sands that stretch out on either side of a historic harbour. The town also proudly boasts three of Yorkshire's finest golf courses
all located within only five miles of each other, and with the Golf Coast Passport you can experience all three for less than �50.

Bridlington can be found on the south of the town and as expected, has magnificent views of the bay as well as six water features and many well-positioned bunkers. Flamborough Head was founded in 1931 and is perched high on the cliff tops overlooking the North Sea. After being recently extended, the course is now a great 6,189-yard, par 71 test.

Finally, Bridlington Links is set in 210 acres overlooking Bridlington Bay and has a nine-hole short course, a par-72
championship links and a luxurious clubhouse. All three courses can be played over a seven-day period, simply visit the website for more details.

White Rose Golf Breaks can arrange holidays anywhere in the north of England on quality courses which have all been played by their highly experienced staff. They have some great deals stretching from the borders with Lancashire to the Yorkshire coastline and at each location, accommodation ranges from the finest hotels to less expensive but comfortable guesthouses.

In the north of the county, the natural contours of the landscape provide the perfect setting for Romanby's championship-standard course, which is set in 200 acres of parkland. While not overly long, Romanby's own Amen Corner, complete with water, can make or break your round.

Hunley Hall, situated between Whitby and Middlesbrough, comprises a modern hotel and 29 holes of superb golf and their forte is creating tailor-made golfing breaks all year-round. There are four courses that vary in length from 6,872 yards to around 6,000 while the hotel has 28 new rooms.

Great golf is not just restricted to the northern reaches of Yorkshire and one special venue sits just outside Huddersfield.

Woodsome Hall is one of Yorkshire's hidden gems. Its clubhouse alone is well worth a visit, but it is the 6,121-yard James Braid-designed course that is the main attraction. Its fairways and greens are rarely crowded and always in fantastic condition.

North Leeds is well known for the quality of its golf and Horsforth is very much in keeping with that reputation. This parkland and moorland course is always in good condition and combines devilish short holes with more substantial challenges.

South Leeds celebrated its centenary last year and this challenging layout is located close to both the M1 and M62. It is perfect for a society day out and also has some attractive membership offers.

Another course with excellent motorway links is Willow Valley, located between Bradford and Huddersfield. Home of the Yorkshire PGA Championship, it boasts four courses, with the main course stretching to over 7,000 yards from the tips.

Lancashire

WITH The Open set to grace Royal Birkdale in July, the eyes of the world will again be on the north-west coast of England. The demand for tee times and accommodation will be great but Southport Golf Tours can help you get organised early.

They are recognised as the leading promoter of golfing holidays in this area, offering a range of accommodation. They can even even sort out tickets and tee times of your own. Talking of The Open, Grange Park's most famous member, Jackie Jones, held the first-round leadership of the 1952 Open at Lytham and also received an invitation to Augusta in 1950.

Founded in 1891 and set in 150 acres of rolling countryside, it still remains as one of the finest tests of inland golf in the north-west. New North Manchester boasts one of the toughest starts in Lancashire with both water and an abundance of trees. But for your hard work you are rewarded with views over Manchester and the Pennines. Located just off J19 of the M60, it offers a number of society packages.

Heaton Park in Prestwich, is one of the country's most celebrated municipal courses. Designed by five-time Open Champion JH Taylor it opened in 1911 and Henry Cotton described the 193-yard, par-three 11th as one of the greatest holes on a public course in Great Britain.

After being opened by Kenny Dalglish in 1994, Mytton Fold has become a fantastic golf and hotel complex in the heart of Lancashire. Close to Blackburn, the 6,155-yard, par-72 fast-maturing course is thoroughly enjoyable while its three-star hotel boasts 28 well-furnished rooms.

Hurlston Hall is a modern parkland course on the outskirts of Southport designed by Donald Steel. The 6,757-yard, par-72 layout will test all departments of your game, and the complex, which is located within easy reach of the M6, also incorporates a driving range and a leisure club.

Malkins Bank in Sandbach, Cheshire is home to an ever-improving and popular course. Its signature hole is the 13th, where you'll need a little more than just luck to avoid the water on both sides of the sloping fairway and safely find dry land.

For somewhere to stay on the Lancashire coast, The Lindum Hotel in St Annes is ideal. One of the north-west's most popular seaside hotels, it is situated on the main promenade and has 80 en-suite bedrooms, a great restaurant and a Lounge Bar and terrace where you can soak up the sea views. Call 01253 721534 or visit www.lindumhotel.co.uk to find out more.

Cumbria

HEAD as far north as the M6 will take you and there you will find The Eden, which can lay claim to being the only 27-hole complex in Cumbria following the completion of its nine-hole Hadrian's Course last year. This provides a great contrast to the existing Championship Course and has been well received by members and visitors alike with its mix of undulating fairways that meander through mature woodland and also take in lakes and streams.

At 3,262 yards long with a par of 32, it is the perfect accompaniment to the Championship Course that also has trees and water abound, courtesy of the River Eden that comes into play early in the round. This course is always in immaculate condition and also rewards you with some fantastic views of the nearby Pennine and Lakeland fells.

Durham

STEPPING onto the 7th tee with a scorecard intact is certainly no mean feat at Durham City, one of the oldest inland clubs in England. Located on the banks of the River Browney, water understandably and unsurprisingly comes into play on a regular basis as it borders four of the first six holes, which means the men are separated from the boys right from the start.

The signature 3rd is typical of the challenge posed, where a swinging dogleg to the left is made all the more difficult as it runs parallel to the river, which even passes behind the green. However, should you make it to the 7th in fine spirits you will be rewarded with possibly the most picturesque holes on this heavily wooded parkland course that is located three miles from the cathedral city of Durham in secluded countryside.

FACTFILES

Yorkshire

Visit Hull and East Yorkshire -realyorkshire.co.uk
Bridlington Golf Passport - ww.golfcoastpassport.co.uk
White Rose Golf Breaks - 01943 609 888
Romanby - 01609 778855
Hunley Hall - 01287 676 216
Woodsome Hall - 01484 602971
Horsforth - 0113 2585200
South Leeds - 0113 2771676
Burton Lodge Hotel - www.burton-lodge.co.uk
Hainsworth Park - 01964 542362
Bradford - 01943 873719
Silkstone - 01226 790328
Fulford - 01904 413579
Willow Valley - O1274 878 624
DeVere Oulton Hall - 01132 821000
Dewsbury District Golf Club - 01924 492399
York Golf Club - 01904 491840

Lancashire

Southport Golf Tours - ww.southportgolftours.co.uk
Grange Park - 01744 26318
New North Manchester - 0161 643 7094
Heaton Park - 0161 654 9899
Mytton Fold - ww.myttonfold.co.uk
Malkins Bank - 01270 765931
Lowes Park - 0161 7641231
Stamford - 01457 832126
Heswall - 0151 342 1237
Beacon Park - 01695 622700
Didsbury Golf Club -0161 9989278
Fairhaven Golf Club - 01253736741
Pikefold Golf Club - 0161 7663561
West Derby Golf Club - 01512541034

Cumbria

The Eden - 01228 573003
Windermere - 015394 43550
Darwen - 01254 776370
Kirkbymoorside Golf Club - 01751 431525
Calder House Hotel - 01946 728538

Durham, Tyne and Wear and borders

Durham City - 0191 378 0029
Magdalene Fields - 01289 306130
Bishop Auckland - 01388 661618
Alnwick Golf Club - 01665602499
Berwick upon Tweed - 01289 387256
Garesfield Golf Club - 01207 561309