The Golf Club was formed in 1931 as a municipal club under the auspices of Bingley Urban District Council. Initially the course was of a 9-hole layout which was expanded to 18 holes in 1934.
Today the course continues with an 18-hole layout which is unusual in that it is formed by a single loop leaving the clubhouse and moving through parkland, woodland and moorland before returning again to the clubhouse to complete the 18 holes.
In the course’s early development it can boast the involvement of Dr. Alister MacKenzie, acknowledged to be one of the great golf course designers and known as ‘The Creator’, along with Bobby Jones, of Augusta National.
MacKenzie’s influence can still be seen in the modern-day layout of the course which incorporates many of his famous attributes such as tiered greens along with his notable sensitivity for designing courses which consider the nature of the original site. In doing so his designs are famous for producing holes that offer an ideal balance of risk and reward and for creating golf courses that challenge yet also accommodate players with a range of skills.
Over the more recent decades the course has been further developed with input from several leading players including Sir Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Canizares contributing to the improvement of various holes.
During the 1980s Bingley St. Ives Golf Course hosted the European Tour’s Lawrence Batley International competition on three occasions which saw the course graced by many of Europe’s leading players and a number of greats including Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino. During the events held at St. Ives Sandy Lyle claimed the title twice with Sir Nick Faldo taking the honours once.
In 1990 the club was privatised with the members forming a Limited Company and agreeing a long term lease with Bradford Metropolitan Council for the use of the land. As the club was privatised plans were developed to build a new clubhouse which was completed in 1994 and reflects the aesthetics of the historic buildings of the estate located near by.
Bingley St Ives Golf Course continues to be a true golfing test set in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.
More about Bigley St Ives https://www.bingleystivesgc.co.uk/
St Ives Estate, Harden, Bingley,
West Yorkshire, BD16 1AT
01274 562436