Delamere Forest

Overview: Delamere Forest is an 18-hole heathland course at the edge of ancient woodland in Cheshire. Despite its name, the defining character is open heath, rolling ground and the way the layout uses natural contours rather than a dense forest corridor. Herbert Fowler's design is listed at par 72 and 6,524 yards, with subtle changes of level and strategic tree lines shaping the route. The club describes the course as playable in summer and winter, but its fair challenge does not mean it is undemanding. Fowler's green sites and bunkers reward a well-positioned approach, while the heathland setting gives the ball room to run and makes the ground part of the strategy. Delamere's appeal is understated: it is a quiet, natural-looking course whose interest grows as the golfer learns how the land and the green angles work together.

History: Delamere Forest Golf Club was founded in 1910, and the course became one of the principal golfing institutions of Cheshire. Its long heritage includes hosting the first Cheshire County Championship in 1921 and serving as one of the qualifying courses for the Open Championship when it was held at Hoylake in 1967. In 2012 the club began a programme to restore the course's original heathland character. Mackenzie and Ebert were commissioned to return bunkers towards Fowler's original design and enlarge the greens with additional options and run-off areas. The work reinforced the historic identity of the course while providing a modern Blue Course layout for county and national events.

Did You Know? The course's name can make golfers expect a heavily wooded setting, but Delamere is fundamentally heathland. Its higher ground gives panoramic views, and the club's history includes the first Cheshire County Championship in 1921 as well as Open qualifying in 1967.