Spend 4 Nights in the vibrant city of Liverpool, famous for it’s Maritime, Cultural and Sporting history, and play Royal Liverpool, Royal Birkdale and one of England’s real hidden gems; Wallasey.
The Royal Liverpool course at Hoylake started life as the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, set on the shores of the Dee and with the Welsh hills in the distance. As a reminder of its previous life, the original saddling bell is displayed among the memorabilia in the clubhouse. The golf course was built in 1869 and, with the exception of Westward ho! in Devon, is the oldest seaside course in England.
The club is a place of firsts: the first Amateur in 1885; the first international match between England and Scotland in 1902; the first international between Great Britain and the United States in 1921, now known as the Walker Cup. Although the Club has hosted many Open Championships and many a famous golfing hero has walked the fairways over the years, it is probably best known for its contribution to the amateur game and a place where amateurs feel at home.
Whilst at first appearance the course may look flat, it is a very challenging championship course, 6,900 yards from the member's tees. 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.
Among the many great courses along the Northwest coast, Royal Birkdale stands out as a perfect example of links golf. It is currently the number one course in England and has been voted the number one in Britain, most recently in the survey published in 1998 after The Open. The Club was formed in 1889, starting life as a 9 hole course.
In 1897 the decision was taken to move to Birkdale Hills where an 18 hole course was constructed. In 1991 a decision was taken to redesign and relay all the greens. This considerable investment and ongoing improvement has enabled the club to retain its position as one of the finest links courses.
Even in the early days, the Birkdale Club was forward thinking, with the members voting in favour of allowing ladies to use the links from 1889. Indeed, one of the first tournaments held was the 1909 ladies' British Open Matchplay Championship. The growing stature of the club was acknowledged in 1951 when the King gave his permission for the club to be known as The Royal Birkdale Golf Club.
The course has been the stage for many great golf championships including the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup and the Ryder Cup. On eight occasions The Open has been played here. The links measures 6,690 yards and although the distance itself is a test even for the most accomplished golfer, the wind, whistling down the fairways when it comes from the sea, adds to the challenge. Each hole runs through a landscape of high dunes, the fairways are flat and fair and from the tee there is generally a clear view of the task ahead.
Wallasey Golf Club was founded in 1891 and, with its undulating fairways and sand dunes; it is a traditional links of 6,607 yards. It is situated in the Wirral peninsula overlooking Liverpool Bay and the Irish Sea, leaving it open to the elements and in particular, the wind. It is one of the great links courses of the north, originally designed by Tom Morris Senior and later altered by other notable golfing figures Alec Herd, Harold Hilton and James Braid. The club has a great history in the game, not least because this is where a club member, Dr Frank Stableford, first developed the Stableford system of points scoring.
The Course is a true test of golf, due in part to the prevailing northwesterly winds and the variety of holes, made all the more interesting by the natural terrain. The final four holes are among the toughest, particularly the 18th, which is a magnificent hole to finish the round. Wallasey has been described as 'The Diamond in the Dunes' and golfers who come here will enjoy the challenge of the course and the well-documented history and traditions of the game.
The Heywood House Hotel occupies The Heywood House, built in 1799, it is the oldest bank building in the city of Liverpool, established by Arthur Heywood, the son of a wealthy merchant. Opened in March 2010, the Hotel has 35 luxuriously decorated rooms as well as well as one of Liverpool’s finest eateries – The Noble House Restaurant and Bar.
Situated directly in the heart of Liverpool, the Heywood House Hotel gives you opportunity to explore everything Liverpool has to offer from shopping and nightlife to the Beatles experience.
Superbly located, adjacent to the Royal Liver Building and overlooking the River Mersey, the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool City Centre provides guests with outstanding standards of comfort and service. All the bedrooms and suites at the Crowne Plaza Hotel offer the comfort and facilities expected by today's sophisticated traveller, with many offering the added attraction of dramatic views of the Liver Building, River Mersey and the historic Princes Dock.
The Radisson Blu Hotel is situated on the waterfront in Liverpool and is within easy reach of Liverpool’s main tourist attractions. As well as 194 stylish bedrooms there is the White Bar Lounge and Cocktail Bar and the award winning Filini Restaurant with striking views over the River Mersey.
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