Royal Birkdale Golf Tours

The town of Southport in Merseyside is a popular holiday destination with families. However, it is also a popular destination for those seeking a golf break in the area, with one its prime attractions being the opportunity to tackle the Royal Birkdale Golf Club – one of the courses which feature on the current Open rotation.

Royal Birkdale has hosted the British Open on nine occasions since its indoctrination into the Open rotation in 1954. The course has also staged numerous other high profile tournaments including two Ryder Cup matches, the Walker and Curtis Cups for amateur men and women respectively and the Women’s British Open.

The British Open was last held over the course in 2008 and was won by Padraig Harrington, who in doing so became the first European player to successfully defend the Open Championship and win back-to-back Championships since the legendary James Braid in 1906. Other winners of the tournament when it was held at Royal Birkdale include Mark O’ Meara (1998); Ian Baker-Finch (1991); Tom Watson (1983); Johnny Miller (1976); Lee Trevino (1971); Arnold Palmer (1961) and Peter Thomson who has won the event twice at the venue, first in 1954 – the inaugural hosting of the Open over the course - and again in 1965.

The course was founded in 1889 as simply Birkdale Golf Club although it was afforded ‘Royal’ status in 1951. The course staged the Walker Cup in the same year, and three years previously had hosted the Curtis Cup before the Open arrived in 1954, and the course has remained part of the Open roster since.

The Ryder Cup has also been played over Royal Birkdale on two occasions, in 1965 and again in 1969. The United States won the trophy in the 1965 renewal, while the 1969 match ended in a tie when Jack Nicklaus sportingly conceded a short putt to Tony Jacklin. Royal Birkdale is unique in its layout in that no two consecutive holes face the same direction, and with a notorious wind often sweeping across the course from the Irish Sea this can make for a formidable test – perhaps moreso than on any other links course in the United Kingdom. Although it isn’t the longest of courses, its treacherous rough and deep bunkers create added danger for players even on those occasions where the wind has relented.

Nearby Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club is also a two time Ryder Cup venue and Hillside Golf Club hosts many major events as well as being a final open qualifying course.

Other golf courses in the area include Ormskirk Golf Club, Hesketh Golf Club and Formby Hall Golf Club among others, making Southport and its environs an ideal location for anyone wishing to test their skills over an Open championship course as part of a golf break in the area. Away from the golf course, the town of Southport offers a good level of shopping experience, while there is a wide selection of bars and restaurants. For something a little more cultural or cosmopolitan, Liverpool is only a short jaunt away, while Preston and Blackpool can both be reached in less than an hour by car. Yourgolftravel.com offers Open Championship tour packages which feature rounds at Royal Birkdale as well as rounds at neighbouring courses, with prices starting at only £299 including two or three rounds of golf as well as overnight accommodation and breakfast. For more information on Royal Birkdale golf tours, simply visit www.yourgolftravel.com or call 0800 043 6644