The 2017 tour, otherwise known as 'Billy's year', sees an inaugural visit to Yorkshire. We have at least three full days of golf organised, with an optional fourth round on the Sunday for anyone looking for some extra punishment.

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There a few format changes to note this year as follows:

 

• The date is a little later

• We're staying in two big houses for all three nights - there are hot tubs...

• We're mixing it up with some non-links courses

• It is unlikely that there will be any foot tapping (or pole dancing, Andy), but there will be table tennis, darts and pool in the houses

• Oh, and we can relax in one of our 3 hot-tubs!

• We are introducing some new rules intended to reduce slow play and bring an end to five hour plus rounds, especially on the Saturday when the last group(s) will face the challenge of impending darkness if too slow - click here for new slow play rules

• The recent tradition of a cold sea swim on the morning of the Masters will hopefully continue and flourish and is to be encouraged (and, apparently, the North Sea is really warm)

• The Friday night will be fancy dress night, theme yet to be determined

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The customary 'international' match will take place on the Thursday at Moortown Golf Club. Designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, of Augusta fame, it was founded in 1909 and, in 1929, hosted the Ryder Cup. A classic moorland course, it is ranked 42nd in England and is located in Alwoodley, near Leeds.

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Friday's Brown Jackets Open will take place at Ganton Golf Club, 9 miles west of Scarborough. Ranked 9th in England and 81st in the whole entire world, it was originally laid out by St Andrews' Tom Chiholm and then altered over the years by Ted Ray, James Braid, J.H. Taylor, Dr Alister MacKenzie, Harry Colt and C.K. Cotton. Harry Vardon became the pro there in 1896, the same year he won his first Open title at Muirfiled. It hosted the Ryder Cup in 1949 and is one of only three courses to have hosted the Ryder Cup, the Walker Cup and the Curtis Cup (along with Royal Birkdale and The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield to you and me)). Despite being 9 miles from the sea, it is a sandy course with all the characteristics of a links and a heathland course.

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The Brown Jacket Masters on the Saturday will also take place at Ganton Golf Club, the first time the Open and the Masters will have been played over the same course. It will be preceded by a 10am swim in the North Sea, although as at the date of writing DB, Andy Martin and Big Bad Barry have all opted to got to the hairdresser for a blow dry instead.

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There is an optional round on the Sunday at Alwoodley Golf Club, located in a secluded spot just north of Leeds. Ranked 13th in England, it was founded in 1907 and was the home course of Dr Alister MacKenzie, who designed the course together with the legend Harry Colt. The course is a combination of heathland and moorland and was highly rated by the famous golf writer Bernard Darwin.

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Travel will be by train from London to Leeds, although people are of course welcome to drive. Return travel to London will be from York (for those not playing golf on the Sunday) or from Leeds (for those who are playing golf on the Sunday).

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All three nights will be spent at the same location, namely Corner Farm and Westfield Granary, both in the village of Sherburn, a stone's throw from Ganton. Accommodation works out at about £50-60pppn, although please note that no discounts will be given to those who come for less than three nights.

 

The provisional tour itinerary is as follows (with further details to be aded in due course):

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Wednesday 4 October

• 11.05am departure from London King's Cross for c. two hour train journey to Leeds - Citron, Barry, Saunders, Sam

• Carry out various bits of admin, including purchasing local ales for the houses

• Golf at Ganton GC

• Head to accommodation in Sherburn for a quiet night in...

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Thursday 5 October

• 7.35am departure from London King's Cross for c. two hour train journey to Leeds - Alex, Andy, Jono, Neil, Koster, Billy, Ricardo

• 10 minute drive in party bus to Moortown GC

• Golf at Moortown - tee booked from 11am

• 75 minute drive in party bus to Sherburn, near Ganton, where we will be staying all three nights

• 5pm ish departure from London King's Cross for the stragglers - DB, El Mel and Vanessa - Welcome Back!

• Let the table tennis and hot tub antics begin!

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Friday 6 October

• Two minute drive or 10 minute walk to Ganton GC

• Tee off at 8.30am

• Potential for keenos to play again in the afternoon for a £15 surcharge. There has been chat about making a special tournie for 36 hole players

• Possibility that Scumbaggio might grace us with his presence on Friday evening. Compulsory skirt to be worn and shots consumed/hidden

• Fancy dress night (really?)

 

Saturday 7 October

• 10am hair and manicure appointment for DB, Andy Martin and Big Bad Barry

• 10am North Sea swim for everyone else

• Two minute drive or 10 minute walk to Ganton GC

• Tee off at 1.30pm

 

Sunday 8 October

• 10.52am departure from York to London - Alex, Jono, Neil, Koster, Billy, Ricardo, DB, El Mel, Clive, Gilo, Citron

• Tee off at Alwoodley at 11am for Saunders, Andy, Vanessa, Sam (and Barry?)

• 4.50pm departure from Leeds to London - Saunders, Andy, Vanessa, Sam (and Barry?)