SEATON CAREW Golf Club’s renowned and difficult rough is getting a bit of a trim.

In a bid to speed up play and soften the punishment for a wayward drive, the tenth oldest course in the country is being made easier.

Head greenkeeper Andrew Wood and his team have been cutting back the dense stuff with the Amazone cutting machine Seaton Carew has invested in.

Wood said: “It’s to make the roughs more aesthetically inviting to look at, while speeding up play because it shouldn’t take as long to find a ball.

“The fineness of grass species we’re trying to introduce, in general, will make them easier to manage too.”

Replacing the thick rough with wispier grass will not eradicate the hazard completely because Seaton Carew wants to retain its tag of being a tough track on the North Sea coast.

Ed Thompson, chairman of the club’s greens committee, said: “The first stage of the rough management plan is to remove all the dense rough down the west of the course.

“This is well under way and for those who know the course, areas on the first, second and fifth have been cut.

“We intend to do the sixth and seventh before the main playing season begins in April.”

CLOSE House, home to the 2017 British Masters, is inviting golfers to become part of the championship club this year with their new country membership offers.

Open to players living outside of a 40-mile radius of the club which is situated on the outskirts of Newcastle, country membership will give players access to the club and facilities, as well as benefits including guest green fees and reduced accommodation rates.

“This should be a memorable year for Close House, therefore it’s a special time for golfers to become part of the club,” said Graham Wylie, owner of Close House.

“We’ll be inviting country members to experience the action here with us in September with a complimentary weekly pass to this year’s British Masters, and hope to see many new faces over the coming months, taking advantage of the great member benefits we have on offer here at Close House.”

Starting at £60 per month, country members can enjoy a range of benefits, including unlimited golf on both the Colt and Filly courses, discounted member guest fees, rates for the on-site accommodation, the Courtyard Rooms, and a discounted rate for guest passes to the British Masters at Close House.

For further information on Close House and how to become a Country Member, visit www.CloseHouse.com or email craig.wright@closehouse.co.uk.

WYNYARD Golf Club is looking for a qualified greenkeeper and seasonal greenkeeper to work on the course.

If you know anyone who may be interested in the above position, please email Lynsey Davison at lynsey.davison@ jomast.co.uk. For further information you can also send messages via the club’s Facebook page.

THE European Tour has announced that George O’Grady, who served as chief executive from January 2005 until August 2015 and from then until now as President of International Relations, is to take up the role of European Tour Ambassador with immediate effect.