Golf Cheshire

When we first visited Heyrose, a little over a year ago, we found a club that seemed to have lost its way. In Cheshire’s hotbed of golf, it felt like a club somewhat overshadowed by prestigious nearby courses like The Mere, Wilmslow and Sandiway, and not helped by ‘Heyrose’ offering little clue to where it might reside. It is, in fact, just off junction 19 of the M6, and 3 miles west of Knutsford. Established in 1988, as a farmer’s diversification, initially as a 9 holer, before it was extended to 18 just 4 years later.

It’s the club that local celebrity and ex-One Direction boy bander Harry Styles as a former member from the age of 12, with the 11 mile commute from his family home said to be justified by teenagers being allowed in adult competitions. So when we’re invited back as a guest of new Captain Tom, following the transition to a “members club” led by a group of directors, and ably supported by an army of passionate volunteers, we didn’t need asking twice!

It seems somewhat fitting, that as we arrive through the wrought iron gates on a sunny September morning, we see the course in fresh light, both literally and figuratively. We’re pleased to see that not everything has changed, with the excellent adjoining nursery (plants, not kids) still present, along with the meandering tree-lined drive that leads to the club car park. We’re even greeted by a majestic heron on arrival… what a lovely touch by the club!

So onto the round, and having made use of the helpful short game practice area, if not the driving range, we’re faced with a seemingly innocuous 171 yard opener. However, we’re assured that it strikes fear into many, with out of bounds long, left and right. Several of the front 9 are soundtracked by the crackling of electricity, with pylons a notable feature, and local rule 20.3 dealing with what we’re assured is a rare occurrence, of hitting one of the wires that arc overhead.

The same surely can’t be said for the huge trees, often mischievously positioned in the middle of the fairway, and which presumably help account for the course’s rare par 73 rating… despite its below average length. The front 9’s closing hole is perhaps it’s most memorable, a short par 3 that – off the temporary tee in use on the day at least – is played over a pretty but daunting pond, and pesky greenside bunkers to circumnavigate.

For us, it’s on the 13^th (main picture) that the course really shows its charms, demanding solid course management to navigate the large greenside pond protecting a narrow green. It’s the first of a sequence of interesting holes, with the 15^th offering a tantalising chance to take the ‘Tiger line’ over the trees at the dogleg’s apex (or even a power fade around it!), with a good shot rewarded by catching the downslope funnelling towards the green.

Then, the jewel in the crown of this exciting stretch of holes is arguably the 16^th; an elevated tee shot, skirting a pond (if you’re good, or lucky) to the green 233 yards in the distance. Rumour has it, that it’s a tee shot so daunting, that some have been known to chip down onto the fairway to lay up (on a par 3!) As well as benefiting from our hosts’ guidance and infectious enthusiasm, we also get the inside track on the latest developments at the club.

We learn that since the takeover in July, a crack team of senior business execs have been appointed to the board, funds have been injected, and a programme of club and course improvements (sparkly new ball cleaners, for example) are well underway. Meanwhile, a 5-year plan is being drafted, and if their progressive stance on gender equality is anything to go by, with ladies now allowed to compete in Saturday morning comps, Heyrose’s future is finally looking bright!