Alwoodley is the brainchild of Alister MacKenzie, who consulted with renowned architect Harry Colt. This course marked MacKenzie’s first foray into golf course design, inspiring his future work on Augusta National.
The course combines heathland and moorland, featuring rippling fairways and springy turf. Heather and gorse add seasonal colour and challenge, while clusters of pines and silver birches dot the landscape. The layout is an out-and-back design, with the front nine being easier than the challenging back nine, which plays into prevailing winds from the Yorkshire Moors.
Notable holes include the 3rd, a 510-yard par five, now featuring additional bunkers that demand precise shots. The 17th, a 434-yard par four, challenges golfers with out-of-bounds on the left and a blind approach to a hidden green.
The course, restored by Ken Moodie and managed by Clyde Johnson, remains true to MacKenzie’s original vision. It has hosted numerous amateur events and serves as a Regional Qualifier for The Open. Alwoodley is a hard but fair test of golf, requiring the use of every club in the bag.
