Poulton in the Press

Golfers Local

Club Feature

PROGRESSIVE POULTON GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Golfers Local’s PAUL CHAPPLE dropped in on one of the region’s fastest developing golf clubs when he ventured for a game at Poulton Park, in Warrington last month.

WHEN the early morning sun is just ris- ing, a beautiful hazy mist still hangs low and the trees are at their autumnal best, there really is no better place to be than on a golf course, particularly one as neat and tidy as the nine-hole course at Poulton Park.

The club, now in its 32nd year, has made big strides forward since the 1978 opening, none more so than in the past two or three years when a mixture of Sport England funding and its own in- vestment has paid dividends.

The club is perhaps best known these days for its fabulous practice facilities, which include a Chip & Pin Short Game Centre that features a synthetic all- weather green which was opened by Eu- ropean Tour star Phil Archer in March, 2009.

But, with the Poulton ladies due to start their weekly competition there was no time for a practice and it was a quick dart to the first tee for me to play the 5,650-yard track for the first time.

A bit of research the night brought up numerous references to a challenging, narrow, tree-lined course – so an extra sleeve of balls was added to the bag for good measure!I love a good challenge and wasn’t to be disappointed.

The first, a 250-yard par four, might tempt the bigger hitters into having a whirl at the green in one, but beware, there is Out of Bounds both left and right and also just a few paces over the back of the green. I took the safe option and played an iron off the tee before misjudging my second and ending up in the aforementioned OOB through the back. So much for conservative golf! The second is a tough par three of 190 yards that plays much easier the second time round as the 11th at 144 yards. Again OOB lurks right and the putting surface is well protected by sand. The 429-yard third hole, certainly caught me out. Having avoided the fair- way bunker off the tee I was fooled by the next sand trap, which is deceptively short of the target. Hole four calls for a draw for right- handers like myself to get in the best po- sition to attack the flag at this 340-yard dog-leg. For once I managed to hit the ball as I intended to and the only birdie of my round was forthcoming. All the holes were given names by a past captain and Poulton’s beautiful par four fifth is known as ‘Double Jeopardy’ and ‘Comedy of Errors’ when played as the 14th. The latter was certainly aptly named for me as I found a watery grave off the tee and then three-putted on the newly constructed undulating green. The par three sixth/15th is long at 193 yards and the green looks decidedly small from both tees and is made up of two tiers on the left and right. Despite the course being just yards f rom the M62/M6 motorway network, the ele- vated 15th tee is the only spot on the course you see the traffic speeding by. Stroke index one is the next challenge on the seventh. A cluster of five, small trees need to be avoided from the tee – I finished blocked out in the middle of them. The second shot, or in my case third, requires good distance judgement as water awaits both in front and behind the green. One of the toughest driving holes faces you on the eighth with a hidden fairway bunker and a thick wooded area down the left. The final hole, a par three of 177 yards as the ninth and 203 as the 18th, is a tough one to negotiate with the target again being relatively small.

With the ladies event now in full swing I headed for the state-of-the-art all weather practice area to try and put right a few wrongs at the end of a most enjoy- able round, despite the clumsy errors.

It was clear from the first tee that the course is treated with tender loving care with neat paths and hedges a common theme.

The club’s pro of the past eight years, Ian Orrell, said: “Our practice facilities are some of the best in the area, but the course itself is fantastic now too. “We’re constantly making subtle changes to improve the course. The latest improvement has been the new fifth green, but we’ve also added in extra drainage at formerly wet parts of the course to solve that issue and make the course playable all year round.”

To entice golfers who may not have played Poulton Park before, the club has introduced a three-month membership offer for just £99 and Orrell says that’s just one of many innovative schemes.

“We’re introducing lots of ideas to bring in more members and visitors. A new offer for 2011 allows societies to pay the 20 players plus price whatever the number, prospective organisers receive a free of charge nine holes to check out the course prior to play if they book before December 1.

“Bookings are available on occasional weekends depending on competition golf. Something that went very well last year that we want to continue is instead of the usual post meal of pie and chips we offer a BBQ as an option.

“We are hoping these will prove a roar- ing success and we look forward to more people enjoying our facilities.”

Green Fees: Range from £14 (off peak) to £22 (peak). 9 holes from £9 (Mon-Thurs) and £10 (Fri-Sun).

The Course: 9 holes 5,650 yards (with two tees making for different shot play). Par 68. CSS 68.

Visitors: Welcome (restrictions apply at weekends). Societies: Catered for except weekends (maximum 24).

.Professional: Ian Orrell (01925 825220) Secretary: David Owen (01925 822802) Website:www.poultonparkgolfclub.co.uk Location: M6 (Junction 21) off A574 (Warrington/Leigh) Crab Lane. Follow signs for the University.