Wearside Golf Club

Wearside Golf Club was founded in 1892 with a unique characteristic of having a starting hole as a par 3 and concluding with a par 5 that leads away from the clubhouse. The golf course is situated between the River Wear and Penshaw Monument, featuring a challenging layout that has undergone continual improvements, including the addition of sand traps and trees.

In 1899, Harry Vardon, an All-England Champion, played an exhibition match on the course and later redesigned it to include an additional nine holes, with the restructured 18-hole course opening in 1901. Since then, the course has experienced notable events, including clubhouse fires in 1909 and 1956, and wartime contributions such as cattle grazing during WWI and fairways ploughed for crop growing in WWII, leading to the present-day fairway undulations.

The founding members of Wearside were distinguished businessmen who were also affiliated with Sunderland and Cricket and Rugby Football Clubs. With a history extending over 118 years, the course has witnessed various transformations and significant achievements, contributing to regional, national, and international golf honors, like securing four Durham County titles in 1990.

Notable golfers associated with Wearside include Alan Patterson, who between 1908 and 1923, held the titles of Durham County Amateur Champion and Wearside Golf Club Champion on several occasions, underlining his significant achievements at a time when golfing equipment was far less sophisticated than today.