Appleby Golf Club features a classic moorland layout where the sheep that call this place home assist with course maintenance. The golf course is situated in a secluded spot amidst a picturesque, vast moorland, offering panoramic views of the Lakeland Fells. Appleby’s distinctiveness lies in its natural, minimalistic design, making it almost imperceptible from the road.
History
Established in 1894, Appleby Golf Club was initially located on Minsceugh Moor, approximately four miles west of its present site. Less than a decade later, the club relocated to its current home on Brackenber Moor. Willie Fernie, the 1883 Open Championship winner, was responsible for the course’s design. Fernie incorporated only a few bunkers into his minimalist plan, which gracefully winds across the moors. The course has hosted the Cumbrian County Championship on several occasions. Soon after its inauguration, the Manchester Guardian lauded the course as a “champion’s course” and “The Sunningdale of the North.”
What Makes Appleby Golf Club Unique?
To truly appreciate this course, one must embrace the minimalist philosophy conceived by Willie Fernie. It is a remarkably clever design, offering far more depth than initially apparent when observing the surrounding moorland. At first glance, Appleby might seem devoid of significant hazards. However, the open nature of its layout means players are at the mercy of the winds sweeping across Brackenber Moor. When the wind is strong, playing to one’s handicap constitutes an excellent performance! And, of course, there are the sheep. They graze freely on the fairways, similar to other courses with comparable features where electric fencing is used to protect the greens.
Rankings
Ranked 3rd in Cumbria, and 14th in England for Value.
Location of Appleby Golf Club
Appleby Golf Club is located in Appleby-in-Westmorland, in northern England. The club is just off the A66, a major road connecting Penrith in the west (M6) to Scotch Corner in the east (M1). It resides within the county of Cumbria, directly south of the North Pennines National Landscape. The closest cities to Appleby are Carlisle and Middlesbrough. The latter is slightly over an hour’s drive to the east, while Carlisle is a bit closer, to the northwest. The nearest major international airport is Newcastle Airport, situated about 65 miles northeast of Appleby. Manchester Airport, the UK’s busiest airport outside London, is just over 100 miles to the south, accessible via the M6.