With just 2 years until the 2013 Centenary Year, the beautiful parkland course at Hazel Grove Golf Club is already considered by many to be ‘the best golf course in Cheshire’.

The skilfully designed Alister MacKenzie course is currently undergoing some fantastic enhancements both on and off the course by the greens team and Centenary Celebrations Fund. This is to ensure that societies and visitors that comes to play the course between now and the Centenary year will certainly want to come back again and experience the full ‘WOW FACTOR’ being planned for 2013.

Already, over 2000 extra bulbs have been planted across the course with more planned, the welcoming Centenary Garden in front of the Swiss chalet style clubhouse has been designed and planted to allow time for all the flowers, shrubs and trees to be fully established by 2013. The new Centenary Clock adjacent to the 1st Tee and all the crossings across the streams on the course have now been replaced with distinctive new wooden bridges, that have all been sponsored by different sections within the club through the Centenary Fund.

Changes are also happening on the fairways with new improved drainage and irrigation channels being installed. Selected bunkers are being removed, others are being enlarged and new sand has been introduced to all traps. Trees and bushes that have matured over the past 10 years and now encroach on to the course are being cut back by the enthusiastic members working party and have created a different approach perspective for many holes. It is also anticipated that new tee furniture and course directional signage will be installed during the summer. And finally the two main lakes on the course are to have large fountains installed to improve water quality for the local wildlife. 100 bird boxes have also been sponsored by members and put up in the wooded areas across the course to encourage more birds to choose HGGC as their home. And breaking news is advising golfers to look out for the various tree carvings that are scheduled to add a touch of uniqueness to the course.

At HGGC we say there are only two types of golfers in the world “Those that have played The Grove and those that haven’t.” For those golfers that haven’t yet had the privilege, the course is characterised by several natural water hazards. Add to these the planting of a further 6,500 trees over the past decade, to supplement the existing ones and you can understand why members recommend careful course management whatever your handicap. The course has numerous holes where wide open laying up positions on the fairways look the safest shot, however the challenge is always there to go for it, which creates the test for any golfer on a visit to HGGC. With large true USGA specification greens HGGC is privileged and almost unique locally to offer its members and visitors year round golf on full greens, this is a major attraction for new members and winter societies that often play courses with temporary greens from November to March…..not at The Grove.

To give you a little insight into some of the great characteristics of the course, the par 5 third at stroke index 1, ranks amongst the best holes in Cheshire, while the finest of the par 3s is arguably the eleventh, both for its degree of difficulty and picturesque layout

The Signature Hole: Hole 15, 280 yards: Par 4, SI 18

The lake with its reflective water and gushing fountain dominates the view from the elevated fifteenth tee, sweeping down along the left hand edge of the fairway, across the front and left side of the green. At only 280 yards, this par 4 represents the ultimate risk or reward hole, especially if the match is being closely fought.

From all tee positions the drop down to the green always seems within reach with a well struck drive, but your mind is then reminded of the out of bounds which runs along the right hand edge of the fairway. The decision is yours – “Am I good enough to take on the green and win, or shall I just lay up for a half?”

Equally, the drive and carry needed on the eighteenth finishing hole, with its MacKenzie tiered green and backdrop of the Swiss chalet-style clubhouse ranks with the best on the course.

The 19th Hole is where you can experience the true hospitality and friendly welcome the members, bar and catering staff at Hazel Grove offer all visitors to the club. It’s also great fun to eat, drink and sit with friends and partners on the balcony, looking back over the 18th green and down the fairway musing over what might have been!

The informative www.HazelGroveGolfClub.com website has a section that includes seasonal vouchers and offers for societies and visitors to play the course.

The captains and members of Hazel Grove Golf Club look forward to you visiting their club and confirming that our course is one of “the best golf clubs in Cheshire.”