FOREST of Galtres GC is poised to have its own 'Amen Corner' for a devilish examination of its members.

The course, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary as an 18-hole course - it first operated for a year as a nine-hole circuit in 1993 - is undergoing significant changes, which will increase the difficulty by several degrees.

Sue Procter, the Forest of Galtres club secretary, explained that as the club prepares to enters its second decade, the get-tougher re-structuring was to ensure the course's standard scratch score was heightened in difficulty from 72 to 71 in line with the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs' requirements.

She added that esteemed designer Simon Gidman, the course architect, was recalled last summer to oversee the changes, which has helped to maintain the original thinking behind its design.

Besides the re-sculpturing of many of the bunkers surrounding the greens, four of the holes are being lengthened - the second (a par five), the fifth (a par four), the par-four ninth and the par-five 14th.

Of the quartet arguably the most severe transformation is that to be wrought around the fifth hole.

Up to now it has been rather a gentle par four sandwiched between a lengthy par-five - bordered by water halfway along the right and an out of bounds on the left - and the 198-yard par-three sixth, which is a genuine menace even to the medium-handicapper should the wind be against and a lake waiting to swallow an errant tee-shot coming into play the full length of the left-hand side of the fairway towards an elevated green.

So what offered some relief between holes four and six will be re-shaped into a daunting par-five.

Work is underway on constructing an elevated tee right on the eastern border of the course, with tighter out of bounds restrictions on both sides of a fairway, which is crossed by a ditch.

The planned reconstruction of the fifth hole prompted Forest of Galtres professional Phil Bradley to quip, with not a little malice: "It will be quite a severe test, our very own Amen Corner, so to speak."

What the work to the foursome of holes - expected to be completed and in play by next summer - will achieve is to answer the prayers of the club to gain a desired new stroke index of 71 and provide an even more rigorous test amid some of the most attractive woodland scenery in the area.

At various points of a course chiselled lovingly out of farmland that was once part of the ancient Forest of Galtres. The White Horse at Kilburn in the Howardian Hills is clearly visible, while York Minster can be seen standing proud.

The old cathedral could be quite handy for offering an incantation while approaching the Galtres version of 'Amen Corner'.

Updated: 10:13 Saturday, April 24, 2004