Not many clubs can boast about sharing the same designer with two of Britain's top golf courses - but Whitburn Golf Club can. Designed by John Morrison, who was responsible for the re-developments of both Wentworth and the Princes course at Sandwich, the Whitburn Club was founded in 1930. Prior to this, golf used to be played on Whitburn's army firing range, the home of the only British Legion Golf Club in the country. It would appear that some members, who didn't like "biting the bullet" were triggered into forming a new club. And following a meeting held in the Jolly Sailor in Whitburn, the Harton Coal Company was approached and permission obtained to play on land, south of Marsden Hill - a much safer option, and with cheaper golf insurance! The result of Morrison's lay-out, is a fine mixture of parkland and links, with the final five holes hugging the coastline. Although the course lacks length, only 5899 yards off the back tees, the prevailing westerly winds and the 200-year-old limestone walls combine with the small well-guarded greens, to make it challenging and enjoyable for golfers of all abilities. And like many other courses in our region, the club has embarked on a tree-planting programme. To date, a mixture of white poplar, sessile oak, lime, field maple, Corsican pine and a variety of others, in total nearly 10,000 have been introduced. What is impressive about Whitburn, is the scenery. The course commands magnificent views of the North East coastline and the mouth of the River Tyne. With the Cheviots to the north and the Cleveland Hills to the south, you can be easily distracted from your game. Whitburn Golf Club has a "no closure" policy and is ideal for winter golf. When other courses in the area are closed, the course remains playable due to the excellent drainage from the underlying limestone rock. The professional services are provided by Neil Whinham, now in his third year at the club. Needless to say, Neil will have to go some to emulate the first appointed professional at Whitburn. In 1967, a thin young assistant to Kevin Wallace, the then professional at nearby South Shields Golf Club, arrived to take on the job - a teenage Christy O'Connor Jnr at the start of a dazzling professional career in golf. Whitburn's modern clubhouse was opened in 1979 by the BBC's Peter Alliss, who is an honourary member at the club. It has a warm and friendly atmosphere, where members, visitors and societies can relax in the well stocked lounge/bar, dining and snooker rooms and contemplate on how good their round could have been, at a very good golf club. Continued from p age 27 The Course Played into the wind, the par 4 1st is one of the tougher holes on the front nine at Whitburn. There is out of bounds on the left and bunkers to the right but a long straight drive will leave an uphill short to mid iron for for the approach. At 194 yards, the par 3 2nd hole is not easy, especially with a cross-wind. The green is well defended with bunkers left and right and similar to the opening hole, out of bounds awaits any shot to the left. Although the green appears to be fairly flat, have a good look at the putt, it will move towards the sea. The 3rd is a good birdie chance. Usually played down-wind, the big hitters can get close to this 339-yard par 4. There is a large fairway bunker left-side, 270 yards from the tee to avoid, but find the fairway and you will only have a short pitch to a green that slopes back to front and right to left. It's easy to drop a shot or two at the 4th - played uphill, this par 3 does play all of its 174 yards. Two bunkers await any shots short and with the green falling steeply away at the rear, don't be long or you will have a devilish chip back up the slope. The following three holes are par 4s all under 350 yards where accurate shots will reap dividends. The 5th is a dog-leg left, requring a well-placed tee shot to leave any chance of attacking the pin. Ideally, favour the right side of the fairway with the drive, playing short of three bunkers 245 yards from the tee. The long narrow green is 50 yards in length and slopes severely back to front, so try to keep the approach shot below the hole. The drive at the 6th is uphill, with out of bounds to the left and a combination of trees and deep rough to the right. There is a bunker on the right, 220 yards from the tee and another left, 50 yards short of the putting surface. Another birdie chance is the 7th. A good drive will take the three fairway bunkers out of play, leaving a short pitch to a raised green. Watch out for the out of bounds both left and to the rear of the green. The big hitters may be tempted to go for broke at the par 5 8th but be warned, it's not worth the risk. With dense trees tight to the left and a deep bunker front right, the green is a very small target. Two sensible shots and a wedge should secure a par or better at this one. At 505 yards uphill, the par 5 9th is a genuine three-shotter. A long straight drive followed by a second shot over the ridge, should set up another chance to attack the pin. The 10th is the longest hole on the course, just under 540 yards, but it is downhill and reachable in two. Take care to avoid the two bunkers on the left, 80 yards short of a green that slopes left to right and front to back. The next two are the toughest on the course and you will do well to negotiate them without dropping a shot. 408 yards uphill and into the wind, two big strikes are needed to reach the par 4 11th green. The 12th is stroke index one and by far the hardest hole. There are two fairway bunkers on the right but a good drive favouring the left side of the fairway and its decision time. This par 4 measures 446 yards and the green has a large pond in front of it. For many, it will be a risky shot, so unless you are a confident long iron player, lay-up and hope for a pitch and single putt. A bogey here is no disgrace. Holes 13 and 14 are par 3's played downhill and neither should cause too many problems providing you find the target from the tee. The 14th green slopes severely left to right and a real tester - no gimmees here. The 15th is a 334-yard par 4 with out of bounds tight to the left. Get your drive away here and you are left with a short pitch to a very receptive green. The par 3 16th is played from an elevated tee to another small green, defended by a bunker front right. The last two holes are both short par 4's and obvious birdie chances. Keep to the right side of the fairway at 17 to avoid the bunkers 150 and 190 yards from the tee. The second shot is played over a small gully and shouldn't be any more than a wedge. The finishing hole is only 271 yards. Played from an elevated tee and with out of bounds left and lots of trouble right, it's a tough tee shot. Make the fairway and you will only have a flick to a very narrow green. What impressed me the most about the course, were the greens - they were first class and a real treat to putt on. The head greenkeeper at Whitburn, Eddie Moran, certainly knows his job. Name: Whitburn Golf Club Address: Lizard Lane, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE34 7AF Telephone: Secretary / Manager - 0191 529 4944 Professional - 0191 529 4210 Fax: 0191 529 4944 E-mail: secretary@golf-whitburn.co.uk Web: www.golf-whitburn.co.uk Location: From the A1 (South) - After Washington Services, take the A194M and then the A194 following the signs for South Shields. Keep on this road until you see a sign for the District Hospital & Accident Centre. Turn right at the next roundabout taking the third exit to Sunderland (A1300). Keep on this road following the signs to the coast until you come to the Marsden Inn on the left. Turn right at this roundabout into Lizard Lane. The club is about 800 yards on the left. From the A1 (North) - Take the A19 south to the Tyne Tunnel, continue on the A19 and take the first sliproad signposted A194 South Shields. Turn left onto the A194 and continue as above. From Sunderland - Follow the coast road along the A183. Pass through Whitburn and the follow signs for the golf club. Green Fees: Weekdays - £22 (With a member - £12) Juniors - £12 Weekends/Bank Hols. - £30 (With a menber - £17) Juniors - £17 Buggies: Available - members £10, non-members £15 Membership: Available Full Gents - £510 Gents over 65 - £434 Ladies - £409 Ladies over 65 - £348 5 Day Gents - £406 Gents over 65 - £345 Ladies - £359 Ladies over 65 - £305 (There is a joining fee of £275 which can be paid over 3 years) Juniors Aged 12 or over - £94 Aged under 12 - £60 (Waiting list applies) Social - £10 Visiting Parties: Welcome - various packages are available, for details contact thesecretary on the above numbers. | 
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