Wakefield

It is a prime example that displays just how much strength in depth there is in Yorkshire because this course often goes under the radar of the visiting golfer to the White Rose county.

The course is mildly undulating and predominantly tree-lined which places a premium on straight driving from the tee. At over 6,600 yards this par 72 layout also plays quite long.

Where there is more movement in the land it has been used to good effect, particularly at the par threes.

The first one we encounter is at the second, a superb 150-yarder, played across a deep gully to a green that slopes significantly from back-to-front and from left-to-right. A deep bunker defends the front-right quarter whilst another sand trap towards the rear acts as a magnet for those taking an extra club in order to clear the valley. Steep drop-offs at the front and sides add to the complexity and difficulty of what is a tremendous hole.

The other one-shotters on the course, only two of them, come at the 7th and 16th and are also outstanding. The former requires a long shot to a large, superbly contoured green protected on both sides with bunkers but accepting of a running approach whilst the latter also has an excellent green complex and a deep penal bunker at the front that looks much closer to the putting surface than it is.

The three par fives come in the space of just six holes (5, 8 & 11) and whereas the short holes excite these just go about their business in a more pedestrian manner. The fifth is without doubt the standout with yet another fine green setting.

That then leaves us with no less than 12 par fours. There is good variety in this dozen with a couple of gentler ones towards the beginning of the round, which give the opportunity of a fast start, but even the more accomplished player will accept pars at the difficult and long ninth, 14th, 17th and 18th.

In between these you have a terrifying pitch over water at the sixth, especially if the pin is located on the right-side of the green, a real risk-reward hole at the 12th, where driving the green is a real possibility but so is finding the stream that cuts across the front of it, and the 13th also provides options from the tee.

All-in-all it adds up to a pleasurable experience and one I personally look forward to playing annually in one of the many open competitions here.