Wortley

Golf began at Wortley in 1894 on the old deer park in the shape of a rudimentary 9-hole course, which was extended to 18 holes in 1908 by Alfred Ernest Turnell, Wortley Club Captain and an associate of Alister MacKenzie, who worked on several Sheffield projects with the good Doctor.

According to club records, Harry Colt redesigned Wortley’s course in 1930 at the request of the 3rd Earl of Wharncliffe. Therefore the 6,025-yard, undulating parkland course that’s in play today has more than a modicum of Golden Age architectural heritage.

During World War II, the course was requisitioned for the war effort and sheep were allowed to graze on the fairways. A couple of holes were also used for open cast coal mining. In 1945, four new greens were laid and fifteen holes brought back into play, with the remaining three holes following shortly after.

Today, the course extends to just over 6,000 yards from the back markers, playing to a par of 68; out in 33 then back in 35. There’s only one par five on the scorecard, at the slightly right doglegged 511-yard 10th, and the pick of the par threes is the shortest of the one-shotters, at the 125-yard 9th hole.