bullet home  
bullet Conditions/Privacy
bullet Winter League
bullet Info for New Members             
bullet Handicaps
bullet Golf Calendar
bullet Team News
bullet Results  
bullet Starting Times and Draw Sheets
bullet OPEN EVENTS
bullet Course Card 
bullet Contacts
bullet Notices/Rules
bullet ON LINE ENTRY
bullet SAFEGUARDING
bullet Committee Only

 

+

 

WHETSTONE GC History
 
In the 1960s there were few places to play golf unless you were a member of a Club. Western Park (owned by the Leicester Council) was open but this was the only place that you could get easy access play golf. There were no other courses in Leicester that were not members owned.
 
Enter Eddie Callaway a Frenchman born into family of golf professionals in Lyons and former Kirby Muxloe professional. Around about 1960 Eddie and his wife ( also a keen golfer ) opened the driving range situated as it is now and quickly had great interest from local golfers. So in 1965 he took out a lease on adjacent land and in “do it yourself” fashion, he and his wife opened a nine hole course using borrowed equipment and a now famous railway guards van as clubhouse.
 
                                Eddie Callaway                                            Opening Ceremony                                                                            
 
Shortly afterwards a club was formed and registered with the L&RGU in 1965. At a time when club professionals were still considered employees of golf clubs, Eddie was one of the few owner professionals.
 
The card for the original 9 hole course is shown below. Note only one hole remains today( the 6th ) currently the 13th hole.

Card of the 9 hole course c1986
 
The 9 hole course lasted for over 25 years but in the 1980s the course was taken over by golf professional Nick Leatherland . Nick set about converting the course to 18 holes and by 1989 a par 68 5795yd course was open. Current members will recognise most of the holes but will be less familiar with order that they were played.

By the 1990s ownership of the course was held between Nick Leatherland, Dave Porter and Dave Raitt. By 2003 the layout of the holes was changed to the layout shown below

Card of the course 2003
 Shortly after further land between the course and the motorway was purchased and the course increased to 6100yd par 70, opening in 2004.   The 4th and 5th  (previously 5th and 15th) became par 4s and 6th, 10th and 7th holes extended. With some small remodelling of the tee positions the 2004 course remains today.

Score card – shortly after extension to par 70.
 
Peter Seddon 2025