Delamere Forest Golf Club

A wonderfully understated century-old Herbert Fowler heathland widely regarded as Cheshire’s No.1 inland layout though nationally it doesn’t get the recognition it warrants and indeed deserves. The Delamere Forest Golf Club was founded in 1910, reputedly in a hunting  field, and was designed by W.H. Fowler who was also responsible for legendary Surrey venue Walton Heath.

The early list of members reads like an extract from the Cheshire Hunt register.  Delamare Forest Golf Club was the venue for the first Cheshire County Championship in 1921, an event which has been held at the Club on another seven occasions most recently in 1993 and 2004.  In 1967 Delamere Forest was one of the two qualifying courses for the Open Championship when it was held at Hoylake.

Founded in 1910 and designed by the distinguished architect Herbert Fowler, Delamere Forest Golf Club is widely regarded as one of the finest traditional heathland golf courses in England. The club’s current rating as the best inland course in Cheshire and 56th in England by Top 100 Golf Courses is well deserved. Situated in the heart of rural Cheshire but with easy access, Delamere is often described as a ‘hidden gem’. Its rolling fairways are interspersed with heather and gorse, crowned by fast, subtle greens which are typical of Fowler’s early designs. As a result the course offers a fair but tough challenge to visitors and members alike.

In 2012 the club took the momentous decision to strengthen the course and reinstate its original heathland character. The renowned golf architects Mackenzie and Ebert who had recently completed the remodelling of Royal Lytham and St Anne’s for the Open Championship were commissioned to carry out the task. The work commenced in late 2012 and has been completed in time for the 2014 season. Every bunker has being returned to the original Fowler design and all of the greens have been increased in size to provide additional pin placement options and run-off areas. As a result The Blue Course including 8 spectacular new tees is now available for Club, County and National events.