Royal Birkdale

Golf courses/Preston/England

Royal Birkdale has hosted two Ryder Cups, the Walker and Curtis Cups, the Women's British Open and on nine occasions the Open Championship.

The stunning coastal resort of Southport is host to the finest links courses in England. This is the home of Royal Birkdale, for many golfers, quite simply, the best of all the great golf courses to have staged The Open Championship.

Visitors to Royal Birkdale are assured a warm welcome. The Managing Secretary, Mike Gilyeat and his staff are the people to contact for general enquiries or bookings. Brian Hodgkinson succeeded Richard Bradbeer as the club professional on 1 January 2002 having been Assistant Professional under Richard for 22 years. The greenkeeping staff is led by Chris Whittle, the Course Manager, who joined the club in 1994 having supervised the Muirfield links for six years.

The Open was held here in 2008 - Padraig Harrington, 1998 - Mark O'Meara, 1991 - Ian Baker-Finch, 1983 - Tom Watson, 1976 - Johnny Miller, 1971 - Lee Trevino, 1965 - Peter Thomson, 1961 - Arnold Palmer, 1954 - Peter Thomson

The Ryder Cup was held here in 1969, 1965

The Walker Cup was held here in 1951