As Close House Golf Club celebrates 15 years since opening, the Northumberland venue is reflecting on a journey that has seen it grow from an ambitious new club into the most respected and complete golf destination in the North East.
Since opening its doors, Close House has pursued a clear vision to deliver outstanding golf, a welcoming club culture and facilities capable of hosting the very best players in the game. Fifteen years on, that ambition is being realised, with the club recognised nationally for both its championship pedigree and its thriving membership experience.
In 2025, Close House was highly commended at The Golf Course Awards in the Members’ Club of the Year category, reflecting the club’s ongoing commitment to its 800 members through a full calendar of more than 50 events each year.
Elite golf has always been part of the club’s DNA. Former world no.1 Lee Westwood has been the Attached Tour Professional at Close House since 2012, a long-standing relationship that reflects the venue’s ability to support performance at the highest level. That elite connection continues with Jess Baker, winner of the 2022 Women’s Amateur Championship and a Ladies European Tour player for 2025.
That connection is further reflected in the Lee Westwood Colt Course, designed by Scott Macpherson in the style of legendary architect Harry Colt and later refined in collaboration with Westwood himself. Alongside the Filly Course, Close House offers championship-quality golf that challenges elite players while remaining enjoyable and fair for members and visitors of all abilities.
The quality of the courses has seen Close House trusted as a host venue for some of the game’s most prestigious events, including the European Tour PGA Seniors Championship, the British Masters in 2017 and 2020, three EuroPro Tour events, and the International Series England on the Asian Tour in 2023, welcoming world-class fields to the North East.
Investment continues to play a central role in the club’s evolution. In 2025, Close House completed a £500,000 driving range extension, enhancing practice and academy facilities, with a further £100,000 winter bunker development underway for winter 2025/2026 as part of its ongoing commitment to course improvement.
The club is also widely recognised for its contribution to junior golf. Named Junior Golf Programme of the Year in 2024, Close House delivers extensive grassroots initiatives, including the PING Junior Masters and free schools coaching programmes that introduce thousands of young people to the game each year.
Close House also offers the opportunity to stay on site within its historic estate, making it a destination for visiting golfers seeking a complete experience. Looking ahead, the club will further enhance its hospitality offering with the opening of Freyja, a new restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef Alex Nietosvuori, scheduled for late 2026.