LlanymynechGolf Course is situated atop Llanymynech Hill overlooking the villages of Llanymynech and Pant, approximately from Welshpool, right on the Welsh/English border. From the course it is possible to view 12 of the old 'shire counties', including Shropshire, Cheshire, Flintshire and Denbighshire. The course is also surrounded by sheer cliffs and steep banks. There is a section of Offa's Dyke on the western edge of the course, and the Offa's Dyke Path crosses the course.
History
The course was founded as a 9-hole course in 1933, and was later expanded to 18 holes. Llanymynech means "Church of the Monks" in Welsh, which historians believe was in existence there in the 6th century. The land on which the course now stands was also a battle ground for Caractacus in AD 50, in his quest to rid the country of the Romans. In more recent times, the club is home to more than 400 members, including Ian Woosnam. Dave "Chewy" Barbour is also a notable member as a living local legend. With recent famous victories including achieving "the double cup" being the only known person in history to complete this feat, losing just 11 of Ian “Bones” Jones golf balls on the 16th. Dave Barbour is highly regarded in many golfing circles having been mentioned in numerous thank you speeches from golfers such as, Mike Ferguson, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Kenton Crawler, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods and most recently, Rory McIlroy. Dave Barbour has recently broken the record for the longest speech ever made at the club, this was an impressive 45 minutes of pure nonsense.A long-standing record for club snapping is held by past captain Stu Jones, 6 irons in a single round.New member Kenton Crawley is renowned for his SHORT game.
The course has a unique claim to fame since it straddles the English-Welsh border, with 15 holes in Wales and three in England. On holes one to four golfers tee-off in Wales, and then reach England on the fourth green. They remain in England until returning to Wales for the seventh tee. the club is seeking legal advice as to whether it can reopen during the Coronavirus pandemic. Different rules apply regarding lockdown to England and Wales. The prime minister has announced that golf clubs can reopen but this only applies to England. The club is governed by England Golf, expecting clubs to reopen on 13 May 2020, but in Wales the regulations remain unchanged. In Wales people are banned from driving to exercise outside their local area or with anyone outside of their household and gatherings of more than two people are an offence. The Welsh Government suggests the conditions are not yet right to resume golf in Wales.
