Our first jaunt of 2024, and what better venue to kick off the golfing season than this long-anticipated course… The Mere! The so called ‘Wentworth of the North’, and much revered Cheshire country club, is set out within a sprawling 150 acre country estate betwixt Knutsford and Altrincham. The original hall dates back to at least 1086, and features in the Domesday book, albeit superseded by ‘New Hall’, a ‘mere’ 190 years ago.
We’ve finally made it for our maiden outing, and after many years of longing, thanks to “FORE” Business, a golf networking group for business leaders affiliated to over 100 clubs, that includes a monthly four ball as well as post-networking round each month as a member benefit. With green fees at The Mere starting at £55 a pop – even in the winter – and membership rumoured to be north of £2k, it seems a proposition that stacks up rather nicely.
Turning into the estate, and breathing in as we drive through the narrow Victorian red brick archway, first impressions are positive. The James Braid designed course, opened in 1934, was a qualifying venue for The Open between 2009 to 2015, and is where a young Rick Shiels cut his teeth as assistant pro. It’s also a club that for many decades has attracted countless notable celebrities (including Bobby Charlton) to secure it’s coveted membership.
But alas, pulling into the car park, it’s clear that The Mere is undergoing a major makeover. It’s 81 bedrooms, opened a little over a decade ago as part of a £15m investment in the hotel and spa, look to have been gutted, and the golf reception, bar and pro shop, combined and relegated to a nearby marque. It’s an overhaul that will restore, redesign and expand the property, adding 39 more rooms, including 27 suites, following the acquisition into the Fairmont stable, alongside 30+ luxury hotels globally including The Savoy.
But whilst the temporary facilities lack a little of the anticipated grandeur, beneath the white tarpaulin, efforts have clearly been made to make the best of the space, with a central tree dressed with fairy lights, and comfortable high-end seating. The service too, is a cut above, and a timely reminder of the prestige of the venue, tent aside; ‘Sophie’, in our case, offered a warm greeting, scorecards, helpful tips and drinks without the need for us to rise from our table.
Suitably enthused and refreshed, we head out to the temporarily reconfigured course, with the 12th acting as the first tee. Whether it’s the disruption to the club and course, the lack of resident guests or some other factor, there’s not a soul to be seen! Now yes, It’s January, but also the first sunny Friday afternoon in what feels like months. Still, their loss is our gain, and we breeze round as if protected by some kind of force field, without a hint of traffic ahead or behind.
Identifying the signature hole provokes some debate, with some championing our 4th (15th ordinarily), with its dogleg left over valley and stream to two-tier green. For others, it had to be the 7th (usually the 18th), a true risk / reward hole, with the brave skirting the lake (the ‘Mere’ itself) that runs down the right side of this dogleg right. One thing’s for sure… the view over the footballers’ and millionaires’ lakeside mansions across the water from the clearing behind the green is utterly spectacular.
It’s only another 20 yards before there’s another spectacle to behold, for they don’t have just any old driving range at The Mere… oh, no, here the bays are all pointing straight over the lake – how tantalising! Sadly unused or out of action on our visit, the concept entails balls being blasted into the expanse of water, with divers seemingly then employed to retrieve the balls again… whether intermittent or heavily armoured, we can only speculate.
Back on dry(ish) land, and the course is in decent condition despite all the current disruption. Greens are a little spongy and consequently slow, following earlier rainfall, and there’s a few winter tees and greens in play… but we’ll cut them some slack after the wettest winter in 130 years. After such a superb afternoon’s golf, we just can’t wait to return. So, imagine our joy when we find ourselves back again just 4 days later, for our first taste of a “FORE” Business meeting, and another chance to savour The Mere!
Key Info
Holes: 18
Par: 71
Yards: Black: 6,882. Yellow: 6,330. Green: 5,718
Slope: Black: 141. Yellow: 135. Green: 139
Visitor Green Fees: £55+
Website: https://themereresort.co.uk/golf/
Location
NB: Apple Maps thinks it’s in Mobberley – it’s not, but postcode is as per The Mere website
Prices correct at time of writing (January 2024).
Find out where this course ranks in the list of toughest courses in Cheshire here, and see our overview of Golfing in Cheshire here.
Where shall we review next? Let us know here.
