Yorkshire golf - video: New-look final holes will end the long walk to Wetherby GC's clubhouse

PLANNED alterations to Wetherby GC's last two holes will put the 18th green within a half-hit wedge shot of the clubhouse.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Mar 2016, 11:22 BST
Updated 7th Mar 2016, 11:04 BST
The current view of the 18th hole at Wetherby GC, which is to be reconstructed to afford a much shorter walk from its green to the clubhouse.The current view of the 18th hole at Wetherby GC, which is to be reconstructed to afford a much shorter walk from its green to the clubhouse.
The current view of the 18th hole at Wetherby GC, which is to be reconstructed to afford a much shorter walk from its green to the clubhouse.

At present, players face a 220-yard uphill walk to the '19th hole' after finishing their round.

Now, approval has been given by the club's members to rebuild the last two holes.

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The club’s Articles of Association require any alterations to the course to gain acceptance from at least 60 per cent of the members.

The current view of the 18th hole at Wetherby GC, which is to be reconstructed to afford a much shorter walk from its green to the clubhouse.The current view of the 18th hole at Wetherby GC, which is to be reconstructed to afford a much shorter walk from its green to the clubhouse.
The current view of the 18th hole at Wetherby GC, which is to be reconstructed to afford a much shorter walk from its green to the clubhouse.

The total votes from those present at a meeting to decide the matter, plus the proxy votes from those who could not attend, showed 68 per cent in favour of the changes.

Six new holes were constructed a decade ago, at which time economic pressures led to the decision to use two century-old greens as the 17th and 18th holes, with the intention to rebuild when funds allowed.

Jonathan Gaunt, one of Europe’s leading golf course architects, has been contracted to design the two new holes with the remit that they had to be as spectacular as the natural features of the land permitted.

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He also had to bring the last green much closer to the terrace of the clubhouse to eliminate the long uphill climb to the '19th hole'.

The current view of the 18th hole at Wetherby GC, which is to be reconstructed to afford a much shorter walk from its green to the clubhouse.The current view of the 18th hole at Wetherby GC, which is to be reconstructed to afford a much shorter walk from its green to the clubhouse.
The current view of the 18th hole at Wetherby GC, which is to be reconstructed to afford a much shorter walk from its green to the clubhouse.

Details and animated bird's-eye view images of the planned short par-3 17th and long par-5 18th, the latter with an enlarged green just 60 yards from the clubhouse, were shown to members.

Financial and construction issues were discussed, and lady members' concerns that the new holes would be too long for them to play were assuaged by Gaunt's promises to consult with them about tee positions.

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