May2 Newnortheastcourse
Last updated:
Geordie soccer hero Alan Shearer, a keen golfer, will officially open the new nine holes at Matfen Hall on June 8th, along with Ken Ferrie who represents the Northumberland club on the European Tour.
This is the first new course to be opened in the North East this millennium and the new nine – known as the Dewlaw course – will be incorporated into the existing course to provide a 27 hole golfing complex, the extra holes providing golfers not just with an extended layout but also with additional challenges.
The Dewlaw measures just over 3,400 yards and has an equal number of par 3s, 4s and 5s – one of the latter is nearly 600 yards from the back tips while the star short hole measures just 170 yards, nearly all of it a carry over water and marshland.
All of the greens have been built to USGA speification while 5,000 new trees have also been planted on the course. The Dewlaw was designed by Matfen’s Director of Coaching John Harrison, who coaches Ferrie, and the venue’s Director Golf Craig Parkinson.
Matfen Hall is a member of the Today’s Golfer 2-FORE!-1 scheme and is available for half-price golf throughout the week.
Photo: By Getty Images
