North Wales James Braid Golf Trail: Wrexham Golf Club
James Braid (1870-1950) was a renowned golf course architect from Scotland, who won the Open Championship five times.
He is perhaps most famous for his work at Gleneagles and Carnoustie, but it is his work in the North Wales area that led to the creation of the North Wales James Braid Golf Trail, which consists of ten golf courses in the area that were designed by Braid.
Braid's courses typically share several common features; for example, the land's natural layout, features and obstacles are incorporated into the courses, with satisfying rewards for accurate play.
Dog legs are another common feature; although the holes vary in character and length, the shape encourages playing for position.
The original course at Wrexham Golf Club's current location at Borras was designed by James Braid in 1923, with the official opening held in August 1924.
Like other Braid courses, Wrexham is designed around the land's natural features.
At Wrexham, the sand, gravel and boulder clay left by the last ice age provide good drainage and make the course playable all year round (which is a big bonus when you take into account that North Wales is kept lush and green by regular rainfall).
The topography at Wrexham Golf Club is interesting and varied; no two holes are alike, and each presents its own challenge.
Many prestigious golfing events have been staged at Wrexham, including the British Girls Championship in 1980, the British Ladies Senior Championship in 1989, the Welsh Club Championship in 1991, the Ladies Home Internationals in 1995 and 2008, and the Ladies Welsh Team Championship in 1998.
If women and girls seem to appear often in these events, it's worth noting that Wrexham Golf Club does much to encourage women to take more interest in the sport; for example, free taster sessions for junior girls are available on Saturday mornings, while on Sundays there are group sessions for ladies at just £5 for 90 minutes.
Notable holes The 18th at Wrexham was described by Golf Local magazine's Paul Chapple (June 2012 edition) as "one of the region's best closing holes...
At just over 400 yards long, a drive with a touch of draw can get in the fast lane and leave a short iron into the green, but anything else is likely to leave a long iron or even a fairway wood to get up in two.
" Wrexham's signature hole is the seventh, a dog leg par four which goes down a hill; hit it too short and you're in the rough with a long second, but hit it too long and you've got a blind second to an elevated green.
Deals and offers Full membership is on special offer for a limited time, at half price.
Summer offer - tee for 4 for £50 on weekdays, or tee for 4 for £60 on weekends.
Offers are subject to availability - bookings must be made a maximum of two weeks in advance.
Facts and figures Size: 18 Holes - 6148 yards par 70 Address: Holt Road, Wrexham, Ll13 9SB Tel: +44 (0) 1978 364268 Fax: +44 (0) 1978 364268 In the area Wrexham Golf Club is close to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in Wrexham itself there is a good shopping centre with great places to eat and drink.
Also within easy reach are the seaside resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn, while a short journey from Wrexham by car or train will take you into the Snowdonia Mountains and Coast region, where there are many attractions and activities to enjoy.
He is perhaps most famous for his work at Gleneagles and Carnoustie, but it is his work in the North Wales area that led to the creation of the North Wales James Braid Golf Trail, which consists of ten golf courses in the area that were designed by Braid.
Braid's courses typically share several common features; for example, the land's natural layout, features and obstacles are incorporated into the courses, with satisfying rewards for accurate play.
Dog legs are another common feature; although the holes vary in character and length, the shape encourages playing for position.
The original course at Wrexham Golf Club's current location at Borras was designed by James Braid in 1923, with the official opening held in August 1924.
Like other Braid courses, Wrexham is designed around the land's natural features.
At Wrexham, the sand, gravel and boulder clay left by the last ice age provide good drainage and make the course playable all year round (which is a big bonus when you take into account that North Wales is kept lush and green by regular rainfall).
The topography at Wrexham Golf Club is interesting and varied; no two holes are alike, and each presents its own challenge.
Many prestigious golfing events have been staged at Wrexham, including the British Girls Championship in 1980, the British Ladies Senior Championship in 1989, the Welsh Club Championship in 1991, the Ladies Home Internationals in 1995 and 2008, and the Ladies Welsh Team Championship in 1998.
If women and girls seem to appear often in these events, it's worth noting that Wrexham Golf Club does much to encourage women to take more interest in the sport; for example, free taster sessions for junior girls are available on Saturday mornings, while on Sundays there are group sessions for ladies at just £5 for 90 minutes.
Notable holes The 18th at Wrexham was described by Golf Local magazine's Paul Chapple (June 2012 edition) as "one of the region's best closing holes...
At just over 400 yards long, a drive with a touch of draw can get in the fast lane and leave a short iron into the green, but anything else is likely to leave a long iron or even a fairway wood to get up in two.
" Wrexham's signature hole is the seventh, a dog leg par four which goes down a hill; hit it too short and you're in the rough with a long second, but hit it too long and you've got a blind second to an elevated green.
Deals and offers Full membership is on special offer for a limited time, at half price.
Summer offer - tee for 4 for £50 on weekdays, or tee for 4 for £60 on weekends.
Offers are subject to availability - bookings must be made a maximum of two weeks in advance.
Facts and figures Size: 18 Holes - 6148 yards par 70 Address: Holt Road, Wrexham, Ll13 9SB Tel: +44 (0) 1978 364268 Fax: +44 (0) 1978 364268 In the area Wrexham Golf Club is close to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in Wrexham itself there is a good shopping centre with great places to eat and drink.
Also within easy reach are the seaside resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn, while a short journey from Wrexham by car or train will take you into the Snowdonia Mountains and Coast region, where there are many attractions and activities to enjoy.