Willesley Park Golf Club has been on
its’ present site since 1920 when the land was leased from
Major Ashworth, who had previously bought the Willesley Estate
including Willesley Hall. The golf course, smaller than it is
now, was designed by James Braid, one of the famous triumvirate
of Braid, Taylor and Vardon. The course was opened for play
in April 1921 and expanded to more nearly its’ current
size in 1926.
Around 1930, the Golf Club had the opportunity to buy Willesley
Hall, and what a fine clubhouse it would have made, but the
cost proved to be too much. In addition, its’ location
was considered to be too far out of town at a time when most
members did not have cars. After the Second World War, during
which much of the course was given over to agriculture, the
course was re-opened for play. The members were able to buy
the land from the Ashworth Estate. Club membership increased
over the next few years and a much needed new clubhouse was
built in 1957/58.
In 1961 a magnificent silver fox was donated to the Leicestershire
and Rutland County Golf Union by Mr. Alf Chapman for the inauguration
of an open 36 hole competition specifically to attract the top
amateurs in the midlands. This tournament is played every year
at Willesley Park and has some notable winners, including Mark
James, Peter McEvoy, Paul Baxter and Gary Wolstenholme. In 2003,
the trophy was won for the first time by a Willesley member,
Paul Dixon.
When the golf course was purchased from the Willesley Estate,
there stood, on the 9th fairway, a statue of Diana, Goddess
of the Hunt. The statue had gradually deteriorated over the
years and in 1981 was found to have been destroyed and only
the plinth remained until 2000 when, after a concerted fund
raising effort during the millennium year, a new statue was
unveiled in its’ place by Barbara Abney-Hastings, the Countess
of Loudoun.
Willesley Park Golf Club is fine mature golf course, part parkland
and part heathland, and has some splendid views over the surrounding
countryside. The first hole is a superb driving hole. The first
part of the hole is played along an avenue of lime trees which
once flanked the old coach road from the old Norman castle in
the town to the now demolished Willesley Hall. Most of the holes
require accuracy off the tee and a programme of course improvement
and bunker renovation and re-siting has put more of a premium
on accuracy with approach shots too. Added to this are some
subtle borrows on the greens and the whole is one of the finest
golf courses in the county.
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Willesley Park Golf Club
Measham Road
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Leicestershire
LE65 2PF
Telephone: 01530 414596
Fax: 01530 564169
info@willesleypark.com
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