HUYTON and Prescot is an elder statesman among Merseyside's courses. Golf was first played on the grounds at Hurst Park back in 1905 and the club is already busy with plans to mark the centenary next season. The club was put on a more formal footing in 1948 when the members purchased the land. At 5,893 yards, the par 68 course ducks under the ropes as a comparative lightweight. But don't be fooled. There are plenty of sucker punches lurking along its fairways. This is a course that makes the most of its parkland setting. The 18 holes are moulded to the hills that bend their way over the site that borders the M57 motorway that once threatened its existence. It has been designed to make maximum use of the tight contours of the land, putting the emphasis on precision and placement rather than merely brute strength in an intruiging game of golfing cat and mouse. Many shots are played blind, which means a little inside knowledge comes in handy in plotting your way safely round the compact route. Shots need to be taken on with a confidence that you can deliver into the right areas and scoot around any potential hazards. The opening holes immediately test your game to see if it is in good shape. The first hole climbs the hill away from the clubhouse, but a second shot is taken blindfold to a green that nestles down at the other side of the brow. The second makes the reverse trip across the rump of the course, making the tee shot important to open up a green which is coyly threatened by a lake to the left. Extending this water hazard to bring it more into play is one idea under discussion as the club refuses to rest on its distinguished history, but continues to look to the future. Extra bunkers and new tees are also being examined to see if they can stiffen the challenge further. The third traverses the same brow, with the fairway tumbling away to the right making it important to claim the high ground and a shot to the green. The fourth offers the first chance to open your shoulders as it runs along the side of the motorway that once looked like it would drive a huge hole through the future of the club. Plans for the M57 caused much consternation back in the 1960s, but the course survived. More land was found and new holes formed to form the existing layout, which was opened in 1972. The fifth is the first of five parthrees on the course which offer a nice blend of teasing tee shots and contrasting distances. They are the sort of holes that navigated soundly will keep your score down but which offer enough treachery to wipe out your good work elsewhere. The fifth green sits imperiously 153 yards away from a tee which is mocked by a small pond at your toes. The tee shot needs to be high and bold into the green because the wayward will be punished with steepling banks that send your ball spinning towards the woods. Seven is another short hole, sandwiched by the long-established woodland over the length of its 178 yards and is again ringed by potential problems. Eight offers another blind tee shot and another crucial one to ensure you can make good progress to the hole. It takes a wicked turn right with a brook cutting across the approach to the green. Again there is talk at the club over whether the water hazard should be widened to introduce a further element of doubt to the shot. If the front nine has been a game of nip and tuck, the inward half offers some early respite. Fairways throughout cut little slack with the challenge being to manouevre your way around the course. They are marshalled by silver birch and large sycamore, along with poplar and oak, which permeate this course and give it a real feel of maturity and permanence. The back nine features the course's only par five - the 13th which sweeps some 500 yards around the outer reaches of the site. But placement remains as critical as ever to get in the right spot to take on the initial dog leg. And don't get carried away by being afforded a rare chance to let rip. The approach to the green is straight-forward enough but the over enthusiastic will be left in trouble if the green slips by. The par-3 14th and par-4 15th both offer a chance to keep your score down. The 14th green has a more generous apron, although push your shot far right and a brook comes into play, while the 15th is among the most open on the course. However just as you feel the shackles are off, the course reasserts its grip. The 16th and 17th both feature sharp dog-legs and with the trees on parade like a row of immovable Buckingham Palace guards there is little to be gained by trying to cut corners. Your tee shot on the 16th is shepherded along by a line of silver birch it is important to out-run to open up the green, while you need to find just the right length on the next hole from the tee to deliver a similar can-opening to another welcoming green. For a course that boasts such a splendid array of short holes - and is a short walk in the park compared to others - the final sting comes at the 18th. A par three, it tops 200 yards from the back tee. Straight and sure, and you can look forward to finding an ample green winged by just two bunkers. There you can finish your round in the shadow of the club's bell tower, which dates back to the original Manor House. The years have marched on since then and at the grand old age of 99 Huyton and Prescot will continue to move with the times. FINAL VERDICT A testing, switchback of a course that has stood the test of time and will keep you on your mettle. Huyton and Prescot will mark their centenary with a special dinner and a festival week, including a ProAm. They are compiling a history of the club and are keen for anybody with information, pictures or memorabilia since the club's inception in 1905 to contact them. FACT FILE Address: Hurst Park, Huyton Lane, Huyton, L36 1UA SSS: 68 (Out 34 In 34), Yards: 5,839, Ladies: 5,252 (par 70) Description: Parkland course that wraps itself around tight contours amid mature trees. Signature hole: 5th - short hole that requires a bold, clean hit to a raised green surrounded by potential problems Contact Details: Telephone 0151 489 3948 Pro shop 0151 489 2022 (also course conditions) Club secretary: Dave Hughes Professional: John Fisher Visitors: welcome weekdays; weekend with member only Cost: Weekday - £25. Weekend - £15 Societies: By arrangement, weekdays only, except Tuesdays Catering: Full clubhouse facilities Dress code: Smart casual, no jeans or trainers. No collarless shirts. Website: www.golffish E-mail address: handpgolfclub@btconnect.com * Details correct at the time of going to press. | 
