Close House
Close House was built in 1779 for the private use of the Bewicke family; however, it’s history dates back almost 800 years, to the early thirteenth century.
During the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries there is evidence of a monastic house at the site, which was owned at the time by the Turpin family and then later by the Read Family. The property remained in the hands of the Read Family for several generations until George Read eventually sold the site to Robert Bewicke in 1626.
Robert Bewicke was a Merchant Venturer who was made Sheriff of Newcastle in 1615 and Mayor in 1628 and 1637. Thus began the long association of the Bewicke Family with Close House.
In August 2004, Newcastle University sold Close House Mansion and golf course, together with the estate, to local businessman Graham Wylie, who would develop it into the most sought-after venue in the North East of England, offering a wider range of facilities than ever before. The property opened for business in March 2005. In 2007 Close House became a luxurious and tranquil retreat only 15 minutes from Newcastle City Centre offering conferences, meetings, and the finest quality golf.
2011 was one of the most notable years for the recent history of Close House. Lee Westwood, the No.1. golfer in the world at the time, opened the new 18 hole golf course. Lee Westwood also became the official attached tour professional at Close House, putting Close House on the global golf map.
This new 18 hole golf course was voted one of the top 100 golf courses in England shortly after it opened. The new No.19 clubhouse and restaurant opened the same year. The success of No.19 has led to the clubhouse becoming a destination restaurant. The focus at Close House was now very much on golf as the membership grew and Close House invested in the state-of-the-art golf facilities.
2012 saw the opening of the Courtyard suite-style accommodation. The rooms provided the ultimate luxury for Close House visitors and provided the perfect place to retire after a hard day on the golf course! The development continued into 2013 with the opening of the new Terrace rooms enabling Close House to accommodate more golfers.
Lee Westwood endorsed the facilities by adding his name to the courses. Close House now offered the world’s only Lee Westwood golf courses. Further developments continued into 2013 with almost £1,000,000 investment in the Lee Westwood Filly Course.
The renovation included the addition of new bunkers, greens, furniture and rerouting. The Lee Westwood Filly Course complements the Lee Westwood ‘Championship’ Colt course making Close House the perfect destination for stay and play visitors. Close House was also awarded the ‘service’ award from the North East Chamber of Commerce in this year.
The spring of 2014 saw the opening of the new 9 hole pitch and putt course to further enhance the golf facilities at Close House.
Lee Westwood endorsed the facilities by adding his name to the courses. Close House now offered the world’s only Lee Westwood golf courses.
