Course it’s worth a visit

Scotland’s neighbour goes for par with these golfing gems, writes Martin Hannan

SCOTLAND will always be the Home of Golf, with some of the finest courses in the world, but anyone venturing just over the border into the north of England will find several excellent golfing venues.

Among the newest and best of these is Close House Hotel and Golf resort, just a mere eight miles from the centre of Newcastle.

Based around a restored 18th century mansion that is now a four star-plus hotel, Close House is both a club and golfing destination which mixes luxury with the true test of a golfer.

A Scottish influence is behind Close House as it is the brainchild of Hawick-born Graham Wylie, founder of the giant Sage software group.

Although previously associated with his top racehorses, in Close House, Wylie has created a winner that will last for decades to come.

Close House has two courses, the Filly and championship course the Colt – named in tribute to the great English course designer Harry Colt.

Though it only opened in May, it is already being talked about as a future host course for top championship events.

Marketing manager Ian Dinning said: “It’s the newest course in the north of England and in time it will definitely be the best. We aim to make Close House a destination for golfers all over the world.”

Helping that process will be Lee Westwood, the man who ended Tiger Woods’ reign as world number one.

Westwood has become Close House’s attached professional, and Dinning says that “will help to put us on the golfing map.”

The best courses in the north of England are split between Northumberland and Cumbria. The latter county is the home of Silloth on Solway, reckoned to be one of the best links courses in England not on the Open Championship circuit. Also in Cumbria is Seascale Golf Club, another championship links course that is open all year.

In Northumberland, De Vere Slaley Hall near Hexham is particularly recommended.

Matfen Hall Hotel between Newcastle and Hexham, with its unusual 27-hole “mix your own nines” course, is both a test of serious golf and serious relaxation, the hotel having a superior spa facility.