Clubhouse – and course – both make the Grade!

West Bradford’s clubhouse, pictured behind the 18th green, is a Grade 2 listed building, parts of which date back to 1720.

It opened as a clubhouse for the course in 1928. Inside, it has been adapted for the modern needs of golf, but outside, it retains the look and feel of an old West Yorkshire farmhouse.

The course has a par of 69 and a standard scratch of 68, providing a good test of golf for all abilities.

You need to be careful of the out of bounds which runs round the course – especially on the second, where the tee is tight up against a wall with a wood beyond and which is a slicer’s nightmare – although the odd lucky bounce has come in handy.

Near the course is Chellow Dene Reservoir, no longer in use and now an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) packed with wildlife.

Wharfedale Observer: West Bradford Golf Club

You get excellent views of the lovely woodland walks around the Victorian reservoir which once supplied Bradford.

The club was started by a group of Bradford wool men in 1900 as a nine-hole course on land leased from Bradford Corporation, and was extended to 18 holes seven years later.

The course has been radically changed several times in the intervening years, but the present layout has remained largely unaltered for the past 35 years. Trees now line many of the fairways.

The club is renowned for producing some of the area’s top golfers. It was runner-up in the Bradford Scratch League last year, while its juniors won the Bradford Junior League.

FACT FILE

Name: West Bradford Golf Club

Address: Chellow Grange Road, Bradford BD9 6NP

Website: westbradfordgolfclub.co.uk

Telephone: (01274) 542767

President: Keith Sutcliffe

Club pro: Warren Kemp, pictured right

Annual fee: £770

Visitor fee: £30 all week

Course length: 5,738 yards

Par: 69

Signature hole: 14th – well-guarded par three with view of reservoir

Shop: Yes

Wharfedale Observer: West Bradford Golf Club professional Warren Kemp
Wharfedale Observer: West Bradford Golf Club