Flaxby Golf Club, Yorkshire. (2004 - 2015)

The course opened in 2004 with the ambition of becoming one of the leading golf clubs and leisure venues in the north of England. It was even suggested that it may become a future Ryder Cup venue. The membership of the club flourished and it also became a popular course for visitors. It was also planned to build a four/five star hotel and spa on site.

The 27-hole golf complex was designed by David Hemstock and was situated in an ideal location between Harrogate and York and close to the A1. The 18-hole par 72 “Park Course” measured nearly 7,000 yards from the championship tees.  More than 18,000 new trees were planted and several lakes were added. There was also a nine-hole academy course and driving range.

Thanks to Colin Barker for the following information and for the scorecards below – “The Course was originally opened as an eighteen hole course and when I played in 2006 it hadn't been named the Park Course - an additional 9 holes were added in 2008 and that was named the Temple Course with the original 18 then being named as the Park Course - the scorecard from 2010 shows the front 9 of the Park with the back 9 being the Temple - in your aerial photo of the course the Temple is the 9 holes in the foreground with the back 9 of the Park Course being featured in the background - the front 9 of the Park Course is largely out of shot with the 1st starting left of the clubhouse in the photo and the first green was not in view from the tee as it was tucked back into the treeline over a small stream to the left of the end of the fairway.”

 

Flaxby Golf Club, Yorkshire. Course scorecard from 2006 courtesy of Colin Barker.

 

Flaxby Golf Club, Yorkshire. Course scorecard from 2006 courtesy of Colin Barker.

 

Flaxby Golf Club, Yorkshire. Course scorecard from 2006 courtesy of Colin Barker.

 

Flaxby Golf Club, Yorkshire. Course plan courtesy of Colin Barker.

Above images courtesy of Colin Barker.

 

Flaxby Golf Club, Yorkshire. Ball marker from the Alec Hird collection.

Ball marker from the Alec Hird collection.

 

It was announced in 2014 that the £100million Flaxby Hotel development had been put on hold while land owners, Skelwith Group, draw up plans to develop a new town or village of up to 2,500 homes on the 280 acre site.

The golf course closed on Tuesday 31 March 2015. The owners said that the course was not profitable and that the region had too many golfing facilities.

A typical review of the former course - One of the most challenging and testing golf courses you will ever play. There are many uniquely styled bunkers that are a true test of your bunker play. The greens are super slick and very undulating, it is a great achievement to be able to make a two putt on some greens. Also beware of the testing rough, and the many trees that make the course very tight, some fairways are only 15 yards wide. To top it off it has lots of water hazards that can easily catch you out. Although the club house is temporary it has a great atmosphere and amazing food, the portions are over generous. We also found the staff extremely helpful and friendly. Well worth a visit.

 

Flaxby Golf Club, Yorkshire. Scorecard for the Park Course.

Scorecard for the 18-hole “Park Course.”

 

Flaxby Golf Club, Yorkshire. View over the former course.

View over the former course.

 

Flaxby Golf Club, Yorkshire. Pictures showing the unique bunkers on the Flaxby coutrse.

 

Flaxby Golf Club, Yorkshire. Pictures showing the unique bunkers on the Flaxby coutrse.

The unique bunkering on the Flaxby course.