North West England Links Golf

NORTH WEST ENGLAND LINKS GOLF

Welcome to the stunning coastal resort of Southport, England's Golf Coast and host to some of the finest Links courses in England. Southport is the home of Royal Birkdale, which for many golfers, is quite simply, the best of all the classic links courses to have staged The Open Championship. The North West has all the essential ingredients for links golf - well-designed courses by some of the great architects, bordered by dunes and heathland with outstanding natural coastlines.

But Southport's reputation for being England's golfing Capital is not just based on Royal Birkdale it boasts another five championship standard courses within 15 minutes drive from the town centre and a sixth only half an hour away. Royal Liverpool , which hosted the British Open in 2006 and Royal Lytham St Annes are also within easy reach and 'must play' courses if visiting the area. Hillside, Formby, Hesketh, Southport & Ainsdale and West Lancashire Golf Clubs are all superb courses providing a challenge to the most accomplished golfer.

Package
Based on minimum two people staying 6 nights, sharing double rooms on B&B basis
Medium sized rental car for 7 days
5 rounds of golf as specified below


Championship Links Tour		Classic Links Tour
Itinerary Day 1 - arrive at Manchester/Liverpool airport - collect rental vehicle - transfer to Cambridge House Hotel for 6 nights Day 2 - play Formby Day 3 - play Royal Lytham Day 4 - play Hillside Day 5 - play Royal Liverpool Day 6 - play Royal Birkdale Day 7 - check out of hotel. return rental vehicle to airport - departure Price per person from £1,165 (Based on a group of two sharing twin/double rooms)		Itinerary Day 1 - arrive at Manchester/Liverpool airport - collect rental vehicle - transfer to Cambridge House Hotel for 6 nights Day 2 - play Southport & Ainsdale Day 3 - play West Lancs Day 4 - play Hillside Day 5 - play Formby Day 6 - play Royal Lytham Day 7 - check out of hotel. Return rental vehicle to airport - departure Price per person from £995 (Based on a group of two sharing twin/double rooms)

HOTELS

Hillbark Hotel, Wirral

The Hillbark is a unique hotel nestling in the heart of the beautiful Wirral peninsula, just 15 minutes yet a million miles away from vibrant Liverpool, Capital of Culture 2008. This magnificent Grade II listed hotel provides the finest luxury coupled with discreet yet friendly service from the resident owners and their team.The perfect place to stay... nineteen individually designed, lavishly furnished suites and bedrooms.The elegant Yellow Room restaurant has rapidly established itself as a premier gourmet dining destination. Extravagantly furnished with lavish gilt armchairs, the tables laid with crisp white linen, finest crystal and silverware, creating an opulent yet relaxing candlelit ambience. An imaginative selection of English and Continental haute cuisine, prepared by their Executive Chef and team, is complemented by a choice of over 100 fine wines from the first-rate cellar.

Cambridge House Hotel, Southport

Set in a quiet area of Southport close to Hesketh Park and within easy reach of the town centre and beaches, the Cambridge House Hotel takes great pride in projecting that special ambience of a bygone age. Cambridge Town House Hotel offers a delightful environment which has elegant Victorian furniture combined with spacious rooms which are comfortable and relaxing. Our friendly service and charming staff are all that you would expect with a well run establishment. The lounge is designed with the utmost care and attention, in the knowledge that after a great day out our guests would like to unwind in beautiful relaxing surroundings. And for those who wish to chat over a drink after a meeting or day on the golf course, there is a warm and cosy bar where you can enjoy your favourite tipple.

Formby Hall Hotel, Formby

Whether you are a golfer putting your skills to the test across the superb courses in the area, or indulging in a relaxing break within beautiful surroundings - this resort offers a host of attractions. The 4* Formby Hall golf Resort & Spa offers 62 bedrooms and suites for luxury accommodation plus a lavish new Spa, Fitness and Leisure club. Located at the very heart of England’s Golf Coast it is also just a short hop to the many attractions of Liverpool and Southport. In Liverpool - European Capital of Culture 2008 - world class shopping stands side by side with cultural must-sees such as the Liverpool Tate and the Walker Art Gallery, while Southport offers the very epitome of style and sophistication.

GOLF

Royal Birkdale

One of Britain's finest golf clubs and host to two Ryder Cups, the Walker and Curtis Cups, the Women's British Open and the Open Championship on eight occasions. Royal Birkdale has been voted the No 1 course in Britain, and is among the best in the world. The course is made up of towering sand dunes that are such a distinctive feature of England’s links. However what you wouldn’t expect is the wide and inviting fairways that flow between the mighty dunes system resulting in long relatively flat targets. If you do experience trouble, it’s your own fault. The greens were re-laid prior to the last Open held there, receptive and true they have a right to claim them the best in the British Isles. Royal Birkdale can lay claim to an impressive list of past champions such as Palmer, Trevino, Miller and Watson. One of its most historical events occurred at the 1969 Ryder Cup there. Jack Nicklaus gave Tony Jacklin his missable putt and so doing made the ultimate sporting gesture which resulted in a tie.

Royal Liverpool

Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake has staged major tournaments throughout its long history including ten Open Championships and many amateur events, most recently the British Amateur championship in June 2000. The R&A have announced that the Open Championship will return to Hoylake in 2006. With a par of 72 the course has fairly been described as a stern test for even the very best golfers. The course measures just over 7200 yards from the championship tees, and the new greens on the 3rd, 17th and 18th extend that challenge. With wonderful views of the River Dee estuary to the Welsh coast, the wind is an ever present factor in playing the historic course. Whilst at first appearance the course may look flat, it is a very challenging championship course. However, as with all links courses, the wind makes its presence felt. The summer breeze can be your ally and the icy gale a ruthless adversary. All the holes require your utmost attention.The enormous clubhouse offers a respite from the elements and a place to soak up the history and traditions of the game.

Royal Lytham & St Anne's

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club was founded in 18861 and the present Course constructed in 1897. The Clubhouse celebrated its Centenary in 1998. It is one of the premier links courses in the world, host to ten Open Championships, two Ryder Cups and numerous other major tournaments including Woman's and Seniors Open Championships. Northern hospitality has always been famous and Royal Lytham leads the way. You will be made very welcome. The layout of Royal Lytham & St Annes has remained faithful to the original created by the clubs first professional, George Lowe, over a century ago. It is a Links course that is a long way from the sea yet close enough for the sea breeze to have an effect on one's game. It is renowned as a course on which is it hard to scramble a good score, after all, there are 200 bunkers peppering the fairways and surrounding the greens. It may not be the longest of courses but it is one where careful thought and accurate shots are required.

Other courses in the area (click on pictures for more information)


Hillside	Formby	Southport & Ainsdale


Hesketh	West Lancs	St Anne's Old

WEST LANCS GOLF . FORMBY GOLF . HILLSIDE GOLF . SOUTHPORT & AINSDALE GOLF . HESKETH GOLF . ROYAL LYTHAM GOLF . ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF . ROYAL BIRKDALE GOLF