Ilkley
Ilkley was designed by the members when the club (founded in 1890) moved to this site in 1898. Subsequently Harry Colt and Alister Mackenzie made improvements. Tom Vardon, brother of Harry, was one of the club's early professionals and Harry is said to have won his first prize as a professional on this course. It is very popular with visitors, and a friend who was a member here in the 50s and 60s told me of a visit made by the Australian cricket team on a Sunday. The clubhouse facilities are pretty modest and the greaty Keith Miller emerged from the shower clad only in a towel the size of a pocket handkerchief. He walked straight up to the bar, which was tended by a young girl, whipped off the towel and shouted, 'What the bloody hell....' Unfazed she gave him the tea towel with which she was drying glasses. It will have covered a little more of his ample body!
What makes the course remarkable is that the first seven holes skirt the River Wharfe, playing onto an island on the 2nd, along it on the 3rd, crossing the river again on the 4th. The course measures 6262 yards with a par of 69, but the disposition of the holes is slightly unusual, with three par 3s and two par 5s in the front nine, and two par 3s and no par 5s coming in.
3rd, Island, 206 yards par 3. This is the second of consecutive par 3s and the hole that plays along the island. Note the sheep on the far bank of the river. Although the course is very close to the town centre it is very well cut off from urbanity.
4th, Long, 504 yards par 5. The tee is just to the left of the bridge on which I'm standing. It's a left-handed slicer's nightmare hole!
4th green. It all looks so innocent from here.
7th, Beacon, 423 yards par 4. One of the strongest holes with the river for company all down the left of the fairway and a ridge cutting across diagonally short of the green. There are three bunkers, too. You are now out at the far end of the course.
9th, Pines, 395 yards par 4. One or two of the holes in mid round are less interesting.
11th, Rhyddings, 443 yards par 4. A very strong hole with a narrow fairway in the driving area (from which the photo was taken) and a narrow entrance to the green with five bunkers in atrtendance.
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13th, Willow Garth, 153 yards par 3. This bunker cuts off the front left of the green which is angled off to the left, with another bunker on the right, about halfway up the green to trap you if you aim away from this one.
16th, Owler, 426 yards par 4. A strong par 4 and one of my favourite holes on the course. The tee is up the hill in the background and the drive must carry at least 190 yards to clear a stream which then flows down the right of the fairway to grasp any drive in the least pushed, while trees on the bank on the left and another stream await the pull. The green is cleverly guarded by a bunker front right and another little one rear right.
The photos were taken in early winter, but the course was in good condition despite a wet autumn. In fact the course is noted for its excellent drainage despite its close proximity to the River Wharfe.