Defying the seemingly never-ending soggy winter / ‘spring’, we arrive at Warrington determined not to be outdone by the British weather. The town is equidistant between Manchester and Liverpool, and the birthplace of Chris Evans, Ian Brown, Rick Astley and Kerry Katona… quite the celebrity four ball! We’re in the borough to attend FORE Business’s networking event, and take shelter from the drizzle in the club house, enjoying some informal business chat with around 20 other hardy souls.
As we gaze from the balcony over the sodden 18th, following yet more overnight rain, there’s a looming threat of a full course closure… before news filters through that we shall go to hit the ball! But alas, whilst we’re grateful for the practice and some fun competition, it’s swiftly apparent that we won’t be experiencing this course at anything like its best. 2 of the holes are closed completely, and 14 are on temporary greens, with fairway mats also enforced.
But we can hardly grumble given the biblical rain that’s plagued the country for much of the last 7 months, and the greens staff are clearly just focussed on getting the course in tip top condition for the start of the summer season. The club was founded in 1903 as a 9 hole setup, and saw considerable tinkering and finessing over the first half century, with land and holes added, and the course redesigned and remodelled by a succession of course designers.
Thanks to this and, no doubt, tireless efforts since, it’s built a reputation as one of the best courses in the area, with several of our group keen to point out how magnificently it plays in the summer. So, with Gore-Tex on the outside, and pangs of guilt on the inside, we head out to begin our review. There is to be at least some reward, for our intrepid bunch. Those temp greens are 50+ yards closer to the tee, sat on fairways smoother than some course’s greens… so we soon rack up some flattering scores!
The course is located to the south of Warrington, handily placed just off the M56, and at the highest point in the town. It boasts fantastic views across the Pennines to the east, and Welsh hills to the west.. we’re assured, though somewhat obscured by the grey skies on our particular visit. Our pictures were never going to do justice to the course, so we implore readers to check out the club’s 2 minute flyover video, to see the course in all its glory.
We do get at least a flavour of what the course has to offer, with the 7th and 12th capturing our imagination most. The former entails an elevated tee shot with superb views, whilst the aptly named ‘Temptation’ is a short par 4 with both birdie and triple-bogey prospects, depending on the courage and accuracy on tap! The final hole too, offers a memorable finish, with the A49 that runs parallel ensuring a nervy tee shot. It’s enough to cement our keenness to come back, and experience Warrington at it’s finest!
Key Info
Holes: 18
Par: White / Yellow: 71. Red: 73
Yards: White: 6,216. Yellow: 5,925. Red: 5,709
Slope: White: 136. Yellow: 129. Red: 141
Visitor Green Fees: £50
Website: https://www.warringtongolfclub.co.uk/
Location
Prices correct at time of writing (March 2024).
Find out where this course ranks on the list of toughest courses in Cheshire here, see all of the county’s courses plotted onto a Google Map here, and try our fun quiz to find your perfect course here!
Where shall we review next? Let us know here.
Golf Cheshire 