Card of the course FRONT 9 Hole Par Yards 1 4 450 2 4 421 3 4 451 4 3 201 5 4 346 6 4 499 7 3 178 8 4 457 9 4 414 Out 34 3417
BACK Hole 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In
9 Par Yards 4 408 4 436 3 184 4 499 3 201 5 544 4 439 5 572 4 473 36 3756
Total 70 7173
Information THE COURSE Championship Tees: White Tees: Yellow Tees: Red Tees:
7173 yards 6817 yards 6381 yards 5808 yards
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ROYAL birkdale cited as england’s finest course
T
The 14th hole
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he rugged links at Royal Birkdale is often cited as the finest course in England and that reputation was enhanced after a makeover in time for the 2008 Open Championship. The club, with the support of the R & A, brought in renowned architect, Martin Hawtree, and the result of his handiwork was a new green
The 12th hole
on the 17th, 20 new hazards, 16 of which are fairway bunkers, and six new tees. “Royal Birkdale is a strong Open venue and we felt that by introducing these changes that challenge can be maintained,” said R & A Chief Executive, Peter Dawson. “We have paid particular attention to the introduction of tee shots that give players a number of
strategic options and, through tighter bunkering and the re-contouring of green surrounds, intend to make players play more imaginative recovery shots.” Royal Birkdale was formed back in 1889 and the 2008 Open marked the ninth time it has staged the Open Championship, the previous eight being won by Peter Thomson (1954 and 1965),
Arnold Palmer (1961), Lee Trevino (1971), Johnny Miller (1976), Tom Watson (1983), Ian Baker-Finch (1991) and Mark O’Meara (1998). The club has also hosted the The Amateur, the Women’s British Open, the British Ladies’, the Boy’s Championship, as well as the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup and the Ryder Cup, the latter on two occasions. Birkdale hosted its first Ryder Cup in 1965 when a US team led by the inimitable Byron Nelson won 19½ – 12 ½. However, four years later the home side fared better when Jack Nicklaus conceded a two-foot putt to reigning Open champion, Tony Jacklin, resulting in the first tie in the Matches’ history.
£165 £195
getting there Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Waterloo Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 2LX Directions: Drivers approaching from the North should use the M6, exit at junction 29, Leyland, to the A582, A59 and A565. Drivers from the South, via the M6, M62, M57 and A5147. Traffic from Central Lancashire should use the M58, exit at Junction 3, Rainford, to the A570. Traffic from Wales and the Wirral should use the M53, Queensway Tunnel to the A565.
Signature Hole H o l e 1 6 • Pa r - 4 • 4 3 9 ya r d s This challenging left-to-right dog-leg requires a drive down the left to allow the best line into a well-guarded green. Situated 292 yards down the fairway is the Arnold Palmer Plaque, designating the spot from where he hit his famous second shot on his way to winning the 1961 Open Championship.
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