Woodward Golf Club

Detailed description of Woodward Golf Club

Woodward Golf Club is a Private 18 hole golf course located in Bessemer, Alabama.

A. H. "Rick" Woodward opened Wood­ward Golf & Country Club near Bessemer in 1916. It is one of the oldest golf clubs in the state. Originally composed of eight holes built in a cow pasture in Brighton, it was not ini­tially stretched to nine holes because a suitable location for the ninth green could not be found.

Originally built for the enjoyment and benefit of the employees at Woodward Iron Company, it is the oldest golf club at its original location in Jeffer­son County. It began with about 80 members and was first called the Employees Club (of Woodward Iron Company).

After World War I the course reorganized under its current name. In 1920 a clubhouse was built and the course was expanded to 18 holes under the direction of Charlie Hall.

In 1986 course designer Ward Northrup presided over a renovation of the course, which has hosted the Alabama Open and an invitational that attracts top amateurs from across the state every year.

The course can be very challenging because of the narrow fairways and small greens. This hilly course was carved out of the natural terrain. There are man-made lakes that come into play on some holes.

Par for the course is 71. From the back tees the course plays to 6,430 yards. From the forward tees the course measures 5,180 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 6, a par-5 that plays to 522 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 16, a par-3 that plays to 158 yards from the back tees.

Watch out for # 8, a 426 yard par-4 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole is # 12, a 164 yard par-3.