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Player Associations

Player Associations


Heritage Series from Your Golf Travel

Courses linked to the Professionals

What do all golfers have in common with Tiger Woods? Well, unfortunately it isn’t the same swing or talent on a golf course, but we have all started our love for the game somewhere. Whilst the pros have gone onto great things in the world of golf, it all started at a golf course. We’re here to celebrate that Heritage and highlight the courses where some of the greats have honed their game.

So, whether that is Rory McIlroy at Holywood Golf Club in Belfast, Ian Poulter and his Ryder Cup winning exploits at Woburn Golf Club or Centro Golf Nacional de Madrid for Jon Rahm, there’s plenty of examples of golfers learning their trade a variety of golfing layouts.

Heritage series - main page

Heritage Series - Player associations

Heritage - famous shots UK (formby hall)

Player associations in the UK & Ireland

As recently as The 2019 Open Championship bought a unique player association with Royal Portrush. This was the course where both Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell forged their major-winning careers, testing their games against the famed Harry Colt layouts on The Dunluce and Valley Links. Funnily enough, despite their local knowledge, the course record is actually held by another Northern Irish golfer. A 16-year old Rory McIlroy swept The Dunluce Course aside with a blistering 61, providing the launchpad for Rory to go on and achieve amazing things in the game.

Lee Westwood has found his home at Close House in recent times where he’s gone onto help shape the course into a Championship layout which has and will host The British Masters. As one of the top-rated golf courses in The North East, it’s easy to see why so many venture here each year.

Heritage - famous shot - EU pga cat

European courses associated with Pros

Spain has provided a wealth of golf courses for many of the world’s top golfers. Whether it is Sergio Garcia, who has recently gone onto create a world-class Junior Development programme, at PGA Golf de Catalunya, Miguel Angel Jimenez at Las Colinas near Alicante or Alejandro Canizares at Real Club Valderrama, golf in Spain and the grand variety of golf courses available has provided not only the platform for professional superstars but also us mere mortals to enjoy great golf in almost guaranteed sunshine year round.

Those seeking a trip into France can head to the spectacular coastlines near Cannes to enjoy the home course of European Tour and Ryder Cup winner Victor Dubuisson. Dubuisson enjoyed a stellar amateur career as #1 in the world whilst playing his home golf at Golf Old Course Mandelieu.

Heritage - famous shot - ROW fancourt

Worldwide courses linked to famous players

As you can tell from the name, The Els Club in Dubai relates back to one of the greats, Ernie Els, who designed this Championship course in 2008 and keeps a set of clubs in locker No.1 for when he pops in for a round. It is a favourite among Tour players including our Chief Holiday Officer Lee Westwood who took on our own YGT Rory in a 'Wildcard Challenge' at this very resort.

As Golf Travel Specialists, there are a few courses we recommend being on your golf bucket-list... These include Fancourt in South Africa where Brandon Grace's dream to become a professional was born and Black Mountain in Thailand who sponsor Thongchai Jaidee.

Player Associations with UK & Ireland Golf Courses

Player Associations with European Golf Courses

Player Associations with Worldwide Golf Courses

Tournament Player Associations

Heritage - player association - close house

British Masters at Close House

Considered to be one of the top golf courses in The North East of England, Close House has become a firm favourite for golfers across the UK.

With The British Masters set to return to Close House in 2020, tournament host, Lee Westwood will be hoping to improve on the T10th finish he achieved in 2017 when the event last visited Close House.

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Heritage - player association - wentworth

BMW PGA at Wentworth

As the jewel in European golf, Wentworth is home to three stunning heathland golf courses. The West Course, with it's tournament history across World Matchplay events and flagship European Tour events, is a course synonymous with Championship golf.

No other golfer will be wanting to win at Wentworth more than Ross Fisher who learnt his trade a junior here.

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Heritage - player association - east lake

Tour Championship at East Lake

The stunning layout near Atlanta is a golf course stepped in not just American but world golfing history as one of the golf courses that shaped Grand Slam winning Bobby Jones' game. With mature trees, lakes and streams coming into play on numerous holes, East Lake is a course that tests all who challenge it.

Former Open Champion and East Lake member, Stewart Cink will be taking an active interest as the world's best head to Georgia for The Tour Championship.

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