W.W.G.S.
Course Guides
WW2020 Round 10 - Blyth
Course overview
Hole One
- Par 4
- Yards 393
- Stroke Index 9
GALLACHERS
Named after the Blyth District Medical Officer and Public Vaccinator Dr Thomas Ardgowan Gallacher L.R.C.P. and S. Edin., L.F.P.S. Glas., whose home backed onto the field known ever since the early 1900's as "Gallacher's Field" now a sports ground - and Out of Bounds!
Pro's Tip
“Tough opening hole, out of bounds right, trees left. Prefer left side of fairway to avoid the fairway bunkers on the right and open up your second shot to the green.”
Hole Two
- Par 4
- Yards 338
- Stroke Index 13
PITCH & TOSS
Where miners would gather in one of the nooks and crannies of the pit heap – away from view - to wager their pay on the toss of a coin. Many would lose all – and so might you!
Pro's Tip
“Straight away par 4 up the hill. Try to pick correct club for your second shot to avoid a long putt up the slope on the large green.”
Hole Three
- Par 4
- Yards 434
- Stroke Index 1
RAILWAY
The old London and North-Eastern Railway, which linked the pits and the people of Blyth, Ashington and Newbiggin in the days when steam ruled, runs the full length of the hole out of bounds to the right.
Pro's Tip
“Stroke 1 hole. Tee shot short of fairway grassie bunkers will leave long second to long narrow green. Don't miss green to the right as this will leave you a difficult pitch back.”
Hole Four
- Par 4
- Yards 394
- Stroke Index 11
YELLA BABBY
The open ditch which is now piped and covered in, carried yellow-coloured waste water from the pit and a favourite playground for the local children who often returned home to a good hiding with their clothes stained a bright yellow – hence the nickname.
Pro's Tip
“Dogleg right par 4. Long tee shot required to be able to see green for second shot. Greenside bunkers short to the left and front right.”
Hole Five
- Par 5
- Yards 539
- Stroke Index 3
BEBSIDE BOUND
Heading out to the Northern-most point of the course towards the locally called "40 acre field" – and you'd be halfway to Bebside.
Pro's Tip
“Long par 5. Avoid fairway bunkers on the left. Second shot to marker post will leave 100 yard pitch to green. Bunkers front right and left to green below.”
Hole Six
- Par 4
- Yards 374
- Stroke Index 5
DICKIE PIT
Nickname given by the miners to the Richard Pit which was sunk in 1870 – ten years after Forster's Pit.
Pro's Tip
“Tight driving hole with bunkers left and right. Second shot to narrow green with bunker right”
Hole Seven
- Par 4
- Yards 266
- Stroke Index 17
STABLES
Pit ponies were extensively used at the colliery and stables were built where the copse now lies on the left side of the fairway.
Pro's Tip
“Easy par 4. Play short of fairway bunker to leave short pitch to green, or long accurate tee shot to carry fairway bunker and chance of reaching green.”
Hole Eight
- Par 4
- Yards 362
- Stroke Index 7
MOORLANDS
One of the main seams at the colliery which in 1910 employed 1,465 men and boys. Wages averaged £2-17-0d
Pro's Tip
“Uphill, slight dogleg left, avoid fairway bunkers to the left to leave second shot from about 170 yards. Make sure you take 1 extra club as many golfers finish short.”
Hole Nine
- Par 3
- Yards 155
- Stroke Index 15
MAISTERS
Name given to the masters or captains of the old colliers which sailed from the port carrying prime Delaval coal.
Pro's Tip
“Short par 3 with pond to left and bunkers surrounding. Check wind direction to select correct club. .”
Hole Ten
- Par 4
- Yards 370
- Stroke Index 8
CASSEYWAY
One of the earliest local names given to the original Plessey Wagonway built about 1709 to carry coals from Hartford and Plessey pits to the Port of Blyth using horse-drawn Chaldron Wagons (53cwts) on wooden rails.
Pro's Tip
“Dog leg left. Avoid fairway bunkers and this will open up the green for your second shot. Anything short off the tee will mean that you have to carry a bunker 30 yards short of green for your second.”
Hole Eleven
- Par 4
- Yards 410
- Stroke Index 2
HIGH CHAPEL
One of the many strong Methodist and Wesleyan Chapels that served the village, which in 1875 boasted 500 houses built in long colliery rows. The "High" Chapel stood on the site of the present green.
Pro's Tip
“Long straight par 4. Two good hits required to reach green in two. Bunkers short of green are 40 yards from putting surface, so play short if you think you cannot carry them.”
Hole Twelve
- Par 5
- Yards 484
- Stroke Index 12
GINNY WAY
Name given to the rope-hauled engine way which drew men and coals to and from Seaton Delaval Colliery where the coal company, which owned New Delaval, was based.
Pro's Tip
“Dogleg left par 5 with pond eating into right side of fairway for second shot. Two good shots and you will nearly be home in 2.”
Hole Thirteen
- Par 3
- Yards 183
- Stroke Index 14
SINKERS
Famous old row in the village, which housed the colliery sinkers – men who sunk the original pit shafts. A poor tee shot appropriately reflects the name.
Pro's Tip
“Par 3, over water with green sloping back to front and bunkers left and right.”
Hole Fourteen
- Par 4
- Yards 371
- Stroke Index 4
MANAGERS GARDEN
The green rests in the garden of the Colliery Manager, whose home was always bigger and more grand than the rest.
Pro's Tip
“Accurate tee shot required to set up second shot to green guarded by trees.”
Hole Fifteen
- Par 4
- Yards 346
- Stroke Index 16
OVENS
A hooked drive from the tee would land on the site of the old brick ovens, which were fired by "duff" and used by the womenfolk as a communal bakery.
Pro's Tip
“Par 4, uphill to green well guarded by bunkers left and short right. Sloping green left to right to contend with.”
Hole Sixteen
- Par 3
- Yards 133
- Stroke Index 18
THE SNOOK
One of the earliest recorded names of the town and port – Blyth Nook or Snook, first referred to in 1153. An apt name for a tricky hole.
Pro's Tip
“Short par 3 to very well guarded two tier green. Try to ensure the shot is on the correct level or 3 putts are easily possible.”
Hole Seventeen
- Par 4
- Yards 381
- Stroke Index 6
MICKS CABIN
Quite a local character was Mick O'Malley who sat in his weightman's cabin keeping a tally on the tubs of coal as they passed by on the 'ginny way' – and keeping children out of harm's way.
Pro's Tip
“Straightaway par 4, bunkers right and trees left. Make sure you have the correct yardage for second shot to well guarded shallow green.”
Hole Eighteen
- Par 5
- Yards 491
- Stroke Index 10
GANNIN HYEM
Going home - A warm welcome is awaiting you at the 19th hole, which is just around the corner!
Pro's Tip
“Good finishing hole. Miss fairway bunkers at corner of dogleg to leave entrance to green for second shot. Further fairway bunkers however, mean an accurate second shot is vital to set up closing birdie.”
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