- Paul Graham-Fielding
THE WARWICKSHIRE - FIT FOR A KING... AND AN EARL
The Warwickshire Golf Club is located in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside in the village of Leek Wootton, just outside Warwick, England.
Its prime location in one of the most beautiful areas of the country serves to enrich its two championship golf courses. Whereas the nearby city of Warwick was founded over a thousand years ago, the golf club itself is relatively new, having opened for play in 1994.
The two 18 hole golf courses, named The Earls Course and The Kings Course were so-called following a competition between the club members, and are certainly appropriate given the areas rich royal history. Prior to 2005 however, the courses were very different and actually consisted of four loops of nine holes, as per the original design by Karl Litten, who designed the famous Majilis Course in Dubai.
The two clear courses are much more distinct and yet still offer golfers a great variety. The Earls Course is certainly long, providing a challenging test of golf for even the most experienced golfers, measuring at a considerable 6,400 metres. The natural landscape which surrounds both courses can also bring its own challenges, in particular the sheer number of trees lining the course. Be prepared for balls to ricochet through the forest should your drive not be long and straight enough!
It is the opening holes which are really impressive though, creating a memorable experience, and if you do manage to negotiate the trees you will be left with an approach shot that actually sits in a glade, really testing your capabilities.
The Kings Course is also no less of a challenge than its rival, though some may say a little less exciting due to its shorter length. Shorter however does not mean any less challenging, and so be aware for those natural hazards including bunkers and tree lined fairways!
With both courses having played host to some notable tournaments, including the European Seniors Tour and the Midland PGA Final, neither are going to disappoint.
The greens are some of the best kept in the country, with fast and true play generally not a problem. The weather at The Warwickshire can play a role in the conditions of the course, however with good drainage installed, it is very rarely noticeable that the greens are wet.
Green fees are as you would expect from two championship style courses, relatively high in the summer season, and tee times should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment. There are often many combination deals to be found in conjunction with the restaurant and bed and breakfast at The Warwickshire, with significant savings on offer for those who decide to stay in the bed and breakfast and play golf on either of the courses.
The Warwickshire couldn’t be located in a better part of the country for transport links. Sitting just five minutes away from Warwick and Warwick Parkway Railway Station, it is easy to reach by both car and train services from around the UK. For those who are coming from overseas, Birmingham International Airport is only thirty minutes away by road too!