Close House

The 18-hole championship Lee Westwood Colt Course was opened in May 2011 and was voted one of the top 100 golf courses in England, less than 8 months after it opened. The 6813-yard layout tips its hat to the great English golf architect Harry Colt (who designed Wentworth, St Georges Hill, Sunningdale and Swinley Forest among others).

While nothing is copied directly, the rectangular tees, the bunker forms, and the variety in Par threes are all features conceived from the distilled themes of this most brilliant architect.

Signature hole: par 3, 9th hole

Lee Westwood says: "The Colt Course is a really good test of golf. There are a lot of good holes on it. It’s fairly undulating and there is quite a drop from the start of the golf course to the finish; some 300 feet in all. For me, the hole I always remember is the par-3 9th. It’s a lovely little par 3 and a very testing hole over a lake with the wall behind. It’s on the side of the drive where everyone drives in and sees the hole so it sits very well. If you make 3 here you should walk away very happy."

Lee Westwood on hosting the 2017 and 2020 British Masters

"It was great to see The British Masters back on the European Tour schedule and especially the way the event has been run over the last few years, with a focus on an innovative approach and getting the likes of Luke and Poulter to host the event. I was really proud to have the chance to take over the reigns and bring the event to the North East and Close House. Obviously I'm connected to the resort and while I have a few ideas for the odd tweak to the course, I think it was enjoyed by the players as it's a bit different to what we play on tour week in week out and the conditioning is always top class."   

Originally built as a nine-hole course in 1964, the now 18-hole Lee Westwood Filly Course is situated in the grounds of the Close House Estate, providing stunning views of the Tyne Valley. The parkland layout was re-designed and re-opened in 2007.

It now has 18 USGA specification greens, measures 6000 yards in length and plays as a par 70 from the medal tees. The undulating greens provide a real test for your putting skills, but accuracy off the tee is paramount for good scoring. Having already held PGA professional events the course has proved challenging to golfers of all abilities.

Lee Westwood says: "The Filly is the easier of the two courses so if you don’t want as quite a demanding test, it’s the one for you. It’s a little less undulating but there are still some climbs and falls on it; it’s also a slightly shorter than the Colt. For the higher handicappers, it’s a nice and steady – although certainly not easy – test of golf."

Like many golf resorts in the UK, the clubhouse at Close House has everything you need to get you ready for your round. You can sit and grab a coffee overlooking the course and chat about the round to come over bacon rolls. The changing rooms are modern and spacious, the perfect place to prepare for your golf.

The resort features top-class practice facilities, including an indoor and outdoor driving range with powertees, a putting green and short-game practice area. Be treated to first-class service, including complimentary club and shoe cleaning, as well as bag drop-off.

The PGA Academy at Close House is an incredible facility where you can practice, get lessons or even get custom-fit for some new hardware. There is also the 9-hole Yearling Course which is perfect for working on your scoring game. The short holes allow you to work on your approach game and putting.

The bays on the driving range are fitted with TopTracer technology so that you can get real feedback on how you’re hitting the ball that day. This technology is also absolutely invaluable for working on your swing and improving your skills.

Close House is one of the best new golf resorts in the UK and Europe in general. The golfing experience here is very difficult to beat. At Close House you can expect one of the best golf trips you have ever had.