The north west of England is synonymous with fine golf courses and Pleasington Golf Club is no exception.

Just to the south east of Blackburn is a beautifully designed course set amongst the picturesque countryside of its native Lancashire and brings a little something different to the world of Golf. Formed in 1891 Pleasington Golf Club appears out of nowhere down Pleasington Lane and opens its arms to all those who pay a visit.

The clubhouse
The magnificent clubhouse is a relatively recent addition to the club and stands exactly where it should - overlooking the first tee and 18th green. The pro shop is situated around the side of the building alongside the all weather putting green and is the visitor’s first port of call. Stock up with all you’ll require to tread the links from Ged Furey’s bulging shop and head out the front to the first tee.

The course
At first glance the parkland course looks quite new and certainly the opening few holes will justify this. Not to say they are uninteresting or immature in any way as the splendid oaks and silver birches separate the fairways nicely but as you’ll see as you leave the third green, the course then takes on more of a heathland feel to it. The fourth begins this transformation in the form of a lovely sweeping par four of some 400+ yards that runs alongside the railway line to the right and continues up the valley side to the well protected green ahead. It’s a lovely hole and a true indication of what Pleasington has in store.

When courses traverse railway lines they can often take on a slightly annoying trait but not here; the crossing of the tracks leading you to the fifth tee has actually become a feature and a really nice one it is too. A brace of gates allows access across the relatively quiet line and a glance up or down the tracks always affords a sense of freedom and liberty.

The fifth is the fifth straight par 4 in a row and leads you to the final sextuplet in the litter and arguably the most picturesque so far. The 6th tee is nestled next to the railway line and tests your nerves from the off. The semi blind tee shot over the hill is daunting too; with a high bank of wispy long rough protecting it from the elements and devouring any stray shots, coupled with bunkers on the opposite side of the fairway, this is a great hole.

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