was the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, it is a classic links
flanked on the west side by the
River Dee, with much of the flatness
of Lytham and a bit of the dunes
found at Formby and Birkdale.
Holes 9, 10, 11 and 12 run along the
Dee, and Hoylake is one of those
places where the wind must blow to
keep the great golfers honest.
Tiger famously kept driver in
his bag for most of the 2006 Open
Championship, playing his 2-iron
off the tee with great precision time
and time again. That very club is
displayed in the splendid Royal Liverpool clubhouse, as is a silver bowl
Young Tom Morris won in an 1872
tournament there.
It’s the past and present of
golf all in one place, and that fact
is driven even harder home by
the thought that Royal Liverpool
hosted the first British Amateur
ever played, in 1885, and will be the
venue of the Open Championship
once again, in 2014.
That’s the beauty of these
places. Museum pieces one and
all, yet still very much alive. For
the best pros and amateurs, and
for the recreational golfer looking
to take a big taste of golf history as
he plays some of the best courses
in the game. l
For more information on travel to
Lancashire CLICK HERE.
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND | While Birkdale, Lytham, Hoylake
and Formby represent the best of what Lancashire has to
offer, there are several other top courses in the area. Such
as Hillside and S&A (for Southport & Ainsdale) as well as
West Lancs (for West Lancashire) and St. Annes Old Links.
Throw those four in the mix, and you can happily stay – and
play – in the area for at least a week.
w Royal Lytham and Formby both have Dormy Houses, where
golfers may stay overnight. And while the accommodations
may not be five-star plush, they are clean and comfortable
and a brilliant way to get to know the retreats – and their
storied pasts – better. Especially when you wander around
the clubhouses after dinner with a port in your hand.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Formby Hall
w Another lodging option is Formby Hall, a highly rated and
centrally situated resort hotel with all modern amenities,
including a spa and pool. It also features a well-equipped
golf academy with a wealth of modern swing analysis
equipment as well as a talented team of instructors who can
quickly fix whatever swing issues arise during a golf tour.
w If you are looking for a non-golf diversion, consider a
side trip to the port city of Liverpool. It’s a UNESCO World
Heritage site, due to its waterfront and its rich commercial
past as a top trading center, and a place to delve deeply
into the world of the Beatles, if you fancy that band and its
music. It also has a great selection of restaurants, among
them the Italian eatery San Carlo, which happens to be
about a 3-wood away from the Cavern Club, where the
early Beatles played.
w Direct flights in and out of nearby Manchester make a trip
to the Lancashire coast quite easy for out-of-towners.
And all the major car rental companies have booths at the
airport. One recommendation: Get a GPS with your car, for
there is a dearth of clear signage to the golf courses, and it
is easy to get lost.
You get him fresh-cut grass and
morning fog. Crumbling waves and
gentle kisses on the cheek from
onshore breezes. You put a bow on
briny inhales and well-deserved
exhales. You find the perfect time
to surprise him with generous
sunsets and well-placed tee shots.
And wrap it all up with storybook
memories. What did I get that man
this year? The chance to be a part of
golf history. Pebble Beach.
packages starting from $1,995 |
1.888.556.7905 | ASK FOR GGPSP11
2 NIGHTS AT THE INN,
2 ROUNDS OF GOLF*
PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS, SPYGLASS HILL GOLF COURSE AND THE LINKS AT SPANISH BAY
*Package is valid April 1, 2011 – August 31, 2011. To receive package rate, all golf rounds must be secured at time of booking. Offer is subject to availability and includes Garden View room at The Inn at Spanish Bay, occupancy tax, County tourism
assessment and service charge. Golf package prices quoted above are for one round on Pebble Beach Golf Links and one round on The Links at Spanish Bay, for one player. Please inquire about other room types and golf selections which may be avail-
able. Valid for new bookings only, and parties of 8 rooms or less. Not valid in conjunction with other offers. Some blackout dates apply. Rates are subject to change. Pebble Beach,® Pebble Beach Golf Links,® Pebble Beach Resorts,® Spyglass Hill® Golf
Course, The Links at Spanish Bay,™ The Inn at Spanish Bay,™ The Lone Cypress,™ The Heritage Logo and their respective underlying distinctive images are trademarks, service marks, and trade dress of Pebble Beach Company. Photo Credit: Joann Dost.
