OPEN COMPETITIONS ANNOUNCED AT LEEDS GOLF CENTRE
4th May 2012

Leeds Golf Centre will this year hold its first full schedule of open competitions in almost a decade - giving members of other golf clubs an opportunity to play the hugely improved Wike Ridge championship layout under tournament conditions.

Much has been reported about the significant transformation of Leeds Golf Centre in recent weeks. In just fifteen months, Parklane Properties has totally redeveloped Leeds Golf Centre thanks to an unprecedented multi-million pound investment programme. The locally-based property developer and hotel operator has refurbished the Pro Shop, changing rooms and shower/WC facilities as well as adding two superb high-tech swing studios and more recently, the fabulous clubhouse bar and restaurant - Nineteen Bar & Grill.

However, it is the revitalised Wike Ridge championship course that has attracted most interest. Comprising an additional 40-plus bunkers and a spectacular ribbon of brand-new water features - not to mention a large body of water in front of the 18 th green - the new layout is widely expected to further evolve Leeds Golf Centre's growing reputation as one of Yorkshire's leading all-round golf facilities.

The season-opener - round 1 of the inaugural 'Parklane Junior Masters Series' - will take place on Jubilee Bank Holiday Tuesday (5 th June). Open to all juniors aged 18 and below, the series of three events will be played in medal format over the full Wike Ridge championship layout. Nett and gross prizes will be awarded at each individual tournament, but the real scoop is on offer for the best aggregate nett and gross scores - a 9-month scholarship at the impressive LGC Junior Academy. Entries cost £10 per event or £25 for all three, with the second and third competitions being played on Monday 23 rd July (just after the conclusion of this year's Open Championship at Royal Lytham) and Monday 13 th August (the day after the US PGA at Kiawah Island).

Also coming soon is the 'Father & Child Challenge' which will take place on Father's Day, Sunday 17 th June. Open to players of all ages, this fun competition is a unique 12-hole par-3 competition on The Oaks course; costing just £15 per pair to enter, rounds will take no longer than two hours -meaning that other family members can enjoy some of dad's time too!

Other highlights later in the year include the Ladies Open on Tuesday 5 th July, the Rabbits Open on 27 th July and the Wike Ridge Classic (a 36-hole medal event for single-figure golfers) on Sunday 26 th August. The competition calendar finale takes place on Sunday 30 th September with the Mens Open - and a unique opportunity to watch the conclusion of this year's Ryder Cup in Nineteen Bar & Grill following tournament play.

As with all open competitions, handicap certificates will be required for those finishing in prize-paying positions. For further information or to see the full schedule, please visit www.leedsgolfcentre.com/opens - entry forms can be downloaded direct from the website. Alternatively, contact the Pro Shop on 0113 288 6000 to request forms by post.

Head Greenkeepers Course Report

What a strange month April has been. After hinting at the potential of an early summer, Mother Nature has angered golfers across the country with a more-than-generous dose of April showers - torrential at times, in fact!

In light of the ongoing threat of drought this summer, recent rainfall has actually been very welcome. Yes, it's delayed some of the Wike Ridge course redevelopment work a little - however, it's definitely better in greenkeeping terms to have too much as opposed to too little of the wet stuff.

Soil temperatures on the greens are currently fluctuating between 6.75 and 8.5 degrees-Centigrade, largely due to the occasional overnight frosts and generally cool conditions throughout this month. In real terms, we need a steady soil temperature of around 10 degrees-C and above to promote steady turf growth - which of course results in good, uniform putting surfaces. We are now cutting greens to 6mm twice a week and turf ironing once each week - this frequency will increase as time and temperatures moves on.

Other planned works include a process of 'chain arrowing' worn areas - this involves roughing up areas of turf that have seen high traffic before overseeding and fertilising - as well as spraying greens, tees and collars for worms, turfing The Oaks' tenth tee extension and slit tyning the greens. All of this - of course - is 'weather permitting'!

At this point, may I please request that members and visitors kindly repair all pitchmarks and divots and remember to rake bunkers - this is good course etiquette and should be conscientiously observed here at Leeds Golf Centre. Hope to see you on the course soon!

Brian D Carr
Head Greenkeeper

Regular recipients of this email newsletter will know all about the quality on offer at Leeds Golf Centre 's impressive Pro Shop - however, many of you may not be aware that we have exclusive rights to sell several hugely-desirable golf fashion labels!

If you haven't got your fix of the latest apparel yet, now would be an excellent time to visit - our shelves and displays are now complete with market-leading collections from:

• IJP Design (Ian Poulter's range)
• Adidas Performance (mens only)
• Lyle & Scott
• Puma
• Ivanhoe (ladies only)

Be the envy of your playing partners and make a statement on-course this season!

Aside from clothing ranges, the Pro Shop is now fully-stocked with the latest 2012 hardware models from leading brands such as Ping, TaylorMade, Callaway, Mizuno, Titleist, Nike and Odyssey. With Internet prices across the store, you won't find them any cheaper anywhere in Yorkshire!

COBRA DEMO DAY - APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

Experience the awesome new Cobra hardware range at next month - and get custom-fitted to ensure your optimum performance on-course!

After the tremendous success of comparable initiatives in partnership with Ping, TaylorMade and Mizuno in recent weeks, Cobra is the next brand to hold a demo day at Leeds Golf Centre and we're very proud to have them!

The event takes place on Friday 11 May between 3pm and 7pm. Custom fitting appointments are available at a cost of £20 (payable when making the appointment booking), a sum that is refunded if a customer purchases new clubs from Leeds Golf Centre within a fortnight of their session. Should you wish to buy, don't forget that our Pro Shop even offers part-exchange against your outgoing gear - amazing!

Profiling the all-new AMP irons and ZL Encore drivers amongst other products, the event is sure to be well-subscribed - please contact the Pro Shop on 0113 288 6000 to book your 30-minute appointment.

LGC SPONSORS POLE POSITION KARTING LEAGUE

Leeds Golf Centre has agreed a sponsorship deal with local indoor go-karting operator, Pole Position Indoor Karting (PPiK), to support its forthcoming Junior League series.

Boasting Yorkshire's biggest indoor karting arena at its venue on the outskirts of Leeds city centre (with a second site in Wetherby), PPiK has an excellent reputation for delivering quality racing. Regular customers include large businesses with corporate hospitality budgets, weekend break stag parties, small groups of friends and family and even individuals seeking the thrill of wheel-to-wheel action.

PPiK's Junior League is the best subscribed series of its kind anywhere in The North - Leeds Golf Centre is delighted to have offered a course of six one-hour golf lessons to each of the six victorious drivers when they are revealed later this year.

For information on how to enter (please note, the series is only available to children aged between 8 and 15), contact PPiK Leeds by calling 08712 88 33 88 or visit the new 'Junior League' page of their website .

NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK.AND THE WINNER IS?

In last month's newsletter, we offered a prize of discounted tuition and golf vouchers for those sending comments or feedback - the lucky winner is Leeds Golf Centre member, Anne Cunnington!

Anne made some excellent remarks regarding the continued hard work of our greenkeeping team in preparing the course despite redevelopment work. However, the prize was duly awarded for her plea to visitors in connection with their responsibility to repair pitchmarks and divots - an excellent point well made, Anne, thank you!

Open Competitions

The season kicks off with resident professional, Joe Feather, and his popular annual golf day on Sunday 20 May. An 18-hole betterball Stableford event with excellent prizes from Srixon (the winning pair both receiving a Cleveland CG Black driver worth £329), the day concludes with dinner and a charity auction hosted by Leeds Rhinos and England Rugby League player, Keith Senior. Entry is £80 per pair.
Download an entry form here.

Next up, on Jubilee Bank Holiday Tuesday (5 June), is the first round of Parklane's inaugural Junior Masters Series . Open to all juniors aged 18 and below, the series of three events will be played in medal format over the full Wike Ridge championship layout. Nett and gross winners will receive prizes on each day, but the real scoop is on offer for the best aggregate scores (best 2 of 3 rounds) - complimentary tuition at the impressive LGC Junior Academy. Entries cost £10 per round or £25 for all three tournaments (remaining dates are Monday 23 July and Monday 13 August).
Download an entry form here.

Also just around the corner is our unique 'Father & Child' challenge on Father's Day (Sunday 17 June). Open to all ages, this fun competition is a unique 12-hole par-3 competition on The Oaks costing just £15 per pair to enter and taking no longer than 2 hours to complete the round (so that others can enjoy some of dad's time too). Finally - at least in this newsletter - is the Ladies Open on Thursday 5 July (another betterball Stableford event costing £30 per pair).
Download an entry form here. 

As with all Leeds Golf Centre open competitions, handicap certificates will be required for those finishing in the prizes.

For further information on any of the above events or to see the full schedule, please visit leeds golfcentre.com/opens . You can download application forms for all events from here or contact the Pro Shop on 0113 288 6000 to have one sent in the post.

Continuing our theme of great value green fees to start the season at Leeds Golf Centre , we're extending yet more special offers for pay-and-play visitors next month (May). The course redevelopment work is all but complete now but areas of ground under repair (GUR) remain in play - for this reason, we're able to make a significant concession over our full green fee rates.meaning that you, our loyal customers, enjoy the benefit!

Weekday green fees are available from £15 per person (assuming a minimum of two players), whilst weekend slots are available for £80 per fourball or £22.50 per person. Why not be the first of your friends and family to see the incredible transformation of our  Wike Ridge championship course ? Or seize the opportunity to book an inexpensive tee time over the forthcoming May Bank Holiday weekend?

As our excellent 12-hole par-3 course ( The Oaks ) is totally unaffected by construction work, green fees here remain at the full summer rate of £10 weekdays and £13 at weekends.

These promotions apply until 31 May 2012 - call the Pro Shop on 0113 288 6000 to enquire further or to book!

• Date: Sunday 17 June 2012
• Format: Betterball Stableford
• Entry: £15 per pair
• Prizes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall plus two Nearest the Pin competitions

Download a booking form by clicking here  alternatively you can call the Pro Shop at Leeds Golf Centre on 0113 2886000 or visit us .

Could you be the first Parklane Junior champion?

This summer see the inaugural Parklane Junior Masters Series at Leeds Golf Centre . Played as an individual medal series over three days through the season.

• Dates: Bank Holiday Tuesday 5 June, Monday 23 July, Monday 13 August
• Open to all juniors aged 18 and under
• Entry: £10 per event or £25 for all three
• Prizes for best aggregate score (best 2 of 3 rounds) plus nett and gross winners of each day

Download a booking form by clicking here  alternatively you can call the Pro Shop on 0113 2886000 or visit us .

Due to popular demand, Leeds Golf Centre is proud to be hosting our 2012 Ladies Open

• Format: Betterball Stableford (3/4 handicap allowance)
• When: Thursday 5 July - tee times from 10am
• Entry: £30 entry per pair

Download a booking form by clicking here  alternatively you can call the Pro Shop on 0113 2886000 or visit us .

Ever thought about joining a golf club but never quite took the plunge? This summer you can try two months' full membership at one of Yorkshire's best all-round golf facilities - Leeds Golf Centre - without committing to the expense of a full year's subscription!

As with our conventional 'full' membership package , benefits include unrestricted access to both the Wike Ridge championship layout and The Oaks par-3 course (tee time availability permitting) plus great deals on tuition, range balls and the awesome FlightScope swing studios (not to mention enjoying the convenience of our gorgeous clubhouse bar and restaurant, Nineteen Bar & Grill, as well as our fantastic Pro Shop).

Join for May & June, June & July or July & August and enjoy all of this for less than an average cost of £20 per week for the duration of your trial membership period!

Please note, customers seeking to join as an annual member are advised that joining fees are still suspended (saving of up to £200) and that a pro-rata pricing policy is in place for the remainder of our membership season. This means that new members joining on 1 May will only pay 11-months subscription, 1 June will be 10-month subscription charge etc (all playing memberships are calculated with an end of March 2013 end-date).

Call 0113 288 6000 now or visit us to obtain an application form. Alternatively, email members@leedsgolfcentre.com to request one in the post. The final deadline for Taster Membership applications will be 30 June 2012 (relating to play in July & August).

T&C Offer applies to new members only, ie those that have NOT been a member at Leeds Golf Centre since February 2011. Taster Membership application can be made at any time, but start dates will be strictly the first day of month (membership period therefore ending on the final day of following month). Full payment must be made at the time of application. NB Taster Membership does not permit play in club competitions or receipt of an official Leeds Golf Centre handicap.

Awareness of Leeds Golf Centre's redevelopment is spreading like wildfire - with news stories appearing in local media and a host of magazine advertisements creating real interest in our new facilities, we figured it was high time Leeds Golf Centre had an open event programme to rival many of the more established clubs in our area.

The schedule is detailed below - please take note of the competitions that apply to you and feel free to extend the invitation to anyone you think may be interested!

For any enquiries please email  opendays@leedsgolfcentre.com and someone will be in touch as soon as possible.