Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club

Final qualifying venue for the Open, and located amongst a great stretch of links golf around the Lancashire area of Southport, England including Royal Lytham, Birkdale, Hillside, Formby, and West Lancashire, The links were designed by James Braid in 1923 and was routed through the sandhills along the Irish Sea with an occasional blind shot, crossbunkers, with narrow fairways contoured by the dunes. Two Ryder Cups held here in in '33 and '37, with Great Britain winning the first, the US the second. It's a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining golf course which requires good course management, the greens are small and fast, and the clubhouse warm and welcoming. It plays to 6,687 yards from the back tees, and you'll find the first hole, a par 3 a real cracker and setting the stage for a fun round.