Hexham’s charm entrances Gary

Jul 3 2008 by Tim Taylor, The Journal

SO what does a man who has played every other golf course in the country – and won tournaments on all five continents – think of Hexham, the club that has just hosted the Northumberland Championship and The Journal Dream Team challenge match?

Double British Amateur champion Gary Wolstenholme, world record holder of 218 England caps, captained the Dream Team in their win over the Hadrian League in an event sponsored by ZFL Golf and Bill Goff Golf Holidays.

Wolstenholme was entranced by Hexham’s rural charm and the spectators included former Newcastle and Sunderland forward Bryan “Pop” Robson, one of football’s all-time greats and a Hexham member.

“When you think Hexham is just down the road from Newcastle, it reminds you that every major city has a beautiful course like this,” said Wolstenholme.

“In that respect, I would put it in the same category as The Leicestershire, Bristol and Clifton and Moor Park in London.

“The course is in great condition and the par threes are all interesting with a great variety. The 16th – Hexham call it High Point – is only 122 yards and it is of similar quality to the Postage stamp at Troon and the 17th at Pebble Beach.

“The fairly small green is protected at the front and the left hand side by deep bunkers then there’s a steep slope at the right – and an overhanging oak tree that can interfere with the flight of the ball. Hexham is a proper test for good golfers, but if I was putting on a company day out, I would love to play there.

“It has everything – a lovely setting , a good clubhouse, good facilities and good parking.

“You’ve got high and low points on the course so you have got to think about which club you are going to play and how you are going to play the shots, so distance control is important.

“It’s great to play an old style golf course that has not tried to implement too many lengthening changes. This is a course you would always want to come back to. But anybody who goes round there is going to have a lovely walk in that scenery, whether they play well or badly.”

Wolstenholme was not the only star on show. Dream Team golfer Graham Willis, champion of Backworth seven times and Whitley Bay four times, put on an enjoyable stand-up routine after the post-match dinner.

Morpeth’s double Northumberland champion Mark Penny was nearest the pin, four feet from the flag at the 146-yard 13th.

In a stableford format team tournament, home club man Martin Coup, playing for the Hadrian League, won the individual prize with 40 points and the equivalent of a three-under 67. Hadrian League team-mate Gary Vickers, the Tyneside club professional, won longest drive with a 340-yard effort at the 17th.