The new captain driving off from a new first tee marked the start of the centenary year for Garforth Golf Club, Leeds. The incoming captain and former Yorkshire and Leeds Golf Union captain, Andy King hit a long straight drive to open the celebratory season.
The drive also opened the club’s fundraising for Garforth & District Lions – Andy’s chosen charity - by hitting the fairway 245 yards away. Members paid to guess how long he hit his first drive.
The golf club expects 2013 to be one of its busiest years ever, with a host of events and competitions, including an exchange day with fellow centurion Lytham Green Drive, family fun events and even an Edwardian golf day to be held this month, when members and guests will dress in the style of the first golfers to enjoy the course.
‘We enter our centenary year in a fantastically strong position – we are not the best known course in Yorkshire, but we are proud to report another year of full membership at a time when many clubs are struggling in the current economic climate,’ said club president John Macmillan. ‘We have a very strong family focus here at Garforth, with a strong junior presence and a growing contingent of lady members, which has enabled us to continually invest in our facilities and keep the club vibrant and welcoming.’
Although membership is strong, visitors – individual, corporate and social teams – are welcome to play at Garforth Golf Club, and make the most of the hospitality available at the club house at the end of a round. ‘With the Thorpe Park business park on the doorstep, East Leeds is often used as a conference venue, and we are in a fortunate position to offer breakout days and corporate hospitality, club and buggy hire, to fine dining in our restaurant,’ added John.
Garforth Golf Club was established in 1913, designed by one of the period’s most eminent golf architects, Dr Alister MacKenzie. Originally from Wakefield, MacKenzie also designed the courses at Alwoodley and Moortown in Leeds, as well as the internationally-renowned Royal Melbourne in Australia and the Augusta National in the USA. The course has been refined over the years but has remained largely unaltered since 1913, although the first tee has been rebuilt for 2013 to offer a panoramic view over the course and fairway, complete with a new starters hut and a commemorative plaque.
For more information on Garforth Golf Club or to book a visitor tee off time go to garforthgolfclub.co.uk or call 0113 286 2021.
