One of the top golf clubs in County Durham is celebrating its centenary year - and is planning to celebrate in style.

Brancepeth Castle Golf Club - originally part of the Brancepeth Castle deer park, stables and coach house - was developed in 1924 by renowned architect Harry Colt into the parkland golf course which can still be seen today.

One of the world’s leading golf architects, Colt designed more than 300 courses - including Wentworth, Muirfield, Sunningdale and Woodall Spa.

The Northern Echo: Brancepeth Castle Golf Club is celebrating its centenary year in 2024Brancepeth Castle Golf Club is celebrating its centenary year in 2024 (Image: DEAN MIDAS)

In designing the Brancepeth course, he made use of the natural contours and many of the holes are played over ravines and ditches which offer challenges to all levels of golfer.

Brancepeth Castle Golf Club is widely regarded as one of the best courses in the North East.

The signature ninth hole is played over the ancient former gardens of Brancepeth Castle. Peter Alliss, 'the voice of golf', once described this hole as one of the hardest (and best) par threes in the world.

Ex-Ryder Cup Captain Bernard Gallacher also hit a hole-in-one at the 10th during the club's 75th anniversary celebrations.

The golf club has a host of events lined up during its centenary, including a family day on Monday, May 27 from noon to 4pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and £2 for children (Under 16).

The main event will be a golf trick shot show by Paul Barrington. a former world trick shot champion. Other attractions include, crazy golf, golfer/non golfer on the course, a chip and putt competition - and non golfers can try out the game at the driving range. 

The Northern Echo: The driving range at Brancepeth Castle Golf ClubThe driving range at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club (Image: DEAN MIDAS)

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Brancepeth is also hosting the English Senior Men's Amateur Championship in 2024, from August 12 to 16 - widely seen as a huge honour for the club.

Applications for club membership are open from April 1 until March 31, 2025

Find out more about Brancepeth Castle Golf Club and its memberships via: https://brancepeth-castle-golf.co.uk/