Factfile
Name: Whickham Golf Club
Address: Hollinside Park, Fellside Road, Whickham, Tyne & Wear NE16 5BA
Tel: 0191-488-1576 Fax: 0191-488-1576
Professional: Simon Williamson 0191-488-8591
Web: Whickham Golf Club Email: Whickham Golf Club
How to get there: Five miles south west of Newcastle upon Tyne. Turn off A1 Western Bypass, taking the B6317 (signposted Whickham). Turn left up Whickham Bank. At top (traffic lights) turn right into Fellside Road. Golf Course is on the right about one mile.
Green fees: Weekdays - £20 per round, £25 per day (with a member £10); Weekends - £25 per round, £27.50 per day (with a member £10). County Member Privilege Scheme - £10 per round, £15 for two rounds. County Card Scheme (Over 65s) - £5 per round. Children - Weekdays £10 per round or per day, Weekends £12.50 per round or day.
Membership: Limited full memberships are available with no waiting list (for details contact the secretary on the above number). Social membership £7 per year.
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Named after a former President of the club, the Nordmann Course at Whickham Golf Club has to be one of the North's best kept secrets. It's not a course for simply teeing up and testing modern day equipment, although a number of holes require long drives to leave any chance of making the greens in regulation. The emphasis here is on accuracy rather than length and your ability to get into position to leave the easiest shot to the green. Whickham's golf course has been developed on rolling hillside and has to be one of the most attractive courses in the North of England. The panoramic views over the Derwent Valley, Tyneside and beyond are simply stunning. In addition, players are treated to regular visits by pairs of Derwent Valley kites gracefully gliding over the course. Founded in 1911, members at Whickham Golf Club played on a course situated on a site bounded by Broom Lane and Sunniside Road. In 1939 the club moved to Hollinside Park where nine holes were developed on land originally leased from the Earl of Strathmore. The course was extended to eighteen holes nine years later. The lodges at the club entrance mark one of main entrances to the Gibside estate and are designated listed buildings of special architectural and historic interest. Today, they are used by the club professional as a shop and a workshop. The early sixties saw major re-organisation of the course, reversing the playing direction to achieve better visibility and reception to the greens. And in 2003, two new holes were introduced extending the course from 6000 yards (par 68) to just over 6500 yards (par 71). Modern day Whickham has now matured into a very fine test of golf. Off the course, new club officials and staff are hoping to make a difference. Last month an open forum was held in the clubhouse, where a member from each sub-committee delivered a 20-minute "power point" presentation on what they were hoping to achieve. They then split into groups for open discussions with the members. Club official Eric Turner said: "The forum allowed members to offer feedback, ideas and receive honest answers. We intend to hold one each year." Simon Williamson, the newly-appointed club PGA professional, is looking forward to his future at Whickham and added: "A lot of people are starting to realise that Whickham is a very good golf club." The Course Stroke index 2, 410 yards uphill and usually into the prevailing wind, it's a tough start at Whickham. The par 4 1st requires a long straight drive, followed by a long iron to a two-tier green defended by a bunker front right. Take care with the wall on the left which runs the full length of the hole, it's an integral part of the course. A bogey at the first is by no means a disgrace. The 2nd hole is a short par 4, 357 yards downhill. A good drive here will leave a short approach to a green that slopes right to left. Favour the left side of the fairway to avoid being blocked out by the trees on the right. The par 4 3rd back in to the wind is another tough hole. The drive is uphill to a narrowing fairway which dog-legs slightly left. Beware the small quarry on the left, 250 yards from the tee. The second shot is played to a long narrow well bunkered green which gathers in from both sides. The 168-yard par 3 4th is tricky short hole. The tee shot is slightly downhill between trees with very little margin for error. With bunkers left and right, the green has a narrow entrance and falls away at the back. Don't be long here or you will have an awkward chip back. The 5th is the first of the new holes, a 497-yard par 5. A generous fairway awaits the drive and then you really have to plan your way to the green. With the fairway narrowing and dropping steeply, you have to avoid the water hazard and big tree on the left to leave an approach to a treacherous green. A par is a good score here. The tricky par 4 6th is the other new hole on the course. The tee shot is downhill over a gully and gorse to quite a wide landing area. Play to the right side of the fairway to avoid all the trouble and out of bounds on the left. The second shot is uphill to another two-tier green with a bunker on the left. The next two holes are both par 4s that shouldn't pose too many problems providing you find the fairways from the tee. Aim for the single tree on the right at the 7th to leave a mid to short iron to a small flat green. Your second shot at the 8th should be to the right of the pin allowing the slope to gather the ball towards the hole. The last hole on the front nine is a cracking 182-yard par 3. Club selection can be difficult with the bunkers 50 yards from the putting surface foreshortening the hole. The long narrow green is well bunkered, falling steeply off to the right and at the back. Only 349 yards, a four or five iron from the tee is all that's required at the par 4 10th. The approach is played over a deep gully to another well bunkered green, sloping right to left. The 11th is a 505-yard par 5 and can be a nightmare for those players who tend to hit the ball to the right. With the fairway sloping quite severely to the right, try and keep your 1st and 2nd shots tight to the left. Don't miss the green to the right or you'll be left with a devilish chip to save par. A long straight drive is required at the 403-yard par 4 12th hole. Uphill initially, the fairway is wide and flattens out over the brow of the hill. Although a small target, the green slopes back to front and is receptive for the approach shots. A risk or reward shot awaits you from the tee at the 13th. Only 337 yards and a dog-leg left, with trees along both sides, the big hitters may be tempted to cut the corner and go for the green. Played sensibly, a positional shot to the right side of the fairway and a short iron approach should result in a birdie putt. Try to make the most of the next three holes because the finish at Whickham is tough to say the least. The 14th is a 158-yard par 3 with a large green sloping back to front and right to left. Keep your tee shot below the hole or a three putt will be the likely result. The par 4 15th is a sharp dog-leg left requiring an accurate drive over the marker post. More than likely your second shot will be played from a downhill lie to a small green cut into a steep bank with a bunker front right. The green is very deceptive, so have a good look at your putts from both ends. The view from the 16th tee box is superb but don't let it distract you from your game. Only 343 yards downhill, this par 4 is a very good birdie chance. A steady drive down the centre will leave a short pitch into a small green. And then it's on to the card wreckers. The 17th is a monster of a par 4 and at 466 yards, a three shot hole for most of us. A big drive to the brow of the hill will leave a very long second to a green with a narrow entrance and bunkers each side. The final hole is a 427 yard par 4 and another real tester. The drive again is uphill before the fairway drops down to a ditch crossing the fairway. Keep the tee shot to the right as the fairway slopes steeply right to left. The approach is played between two large trees to a small narrow green sloping right to left. A lot of golfers are happy with a bogey, bogey finish at Whickham. The well-appointed clubhouse has a spacious lounge and dining room with an adjoining card-room and snooker room. Full catering facilities are available, provided by David and Jenifer Johnson, the recently appointed catering managers. A day out at Whickham Golf Club is certainly worth putting in the diary. | 
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