FORMBY GOLF CLUB
T he Open Championship returns to Royal Birkdale in July, and this western coast- line of Lancashire possesses some of the finest links in England. Hillside, which adjoins Royal Birkdale, is where Christo Lamprecht won the British Amateur in 2023. Southport & Ainsdale hosted two Ryder Cup matches in the 1930s. Further south towards Liverpool is a strikingly beautiful links which feels very different from the kind of venues which host the Open. This is Formby Golf Club, in a magnificently private and isolated setting which stuns the senses. The land here is pristine and wild, rugged, and tranquil, making golfers feel as if they are in some remote area of Scotland or Ireland, rather than close to major conurbations. Formby is 10 kilometres from Birk- dale, and the land between them is among the most unspoiled coastlines in England, part of the Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve, man-
aged by the National Trust. To start with, it has the appear- ance of an inland heathland layout, with several holes framed by towering pine trees, and purple heather grow- ing between the fairways, yet this is a genuine championship links and plays very much like one too, firm underfoot, with deep links bunkering. It undulates through some scenic terrain which is part of the dune system of the coastline. The front nine holes head towards the Irish Sea, yet you turn for home just as you catch a glimpse of it. It’s a large enough property that there’s space in the middle for anoth- er 18 holes, belonging to the Formby Ladies Golf Club, unique in being the solitary ladies-only membership golf club in England. It has been around since 1896. Their par-71 course is built expressly for women golfers, the back tees measuring 4 900 metres. The holes are classically designed, with the same level of detail applied to them as the main course. Men love playing the
layout too. I found it enormous fun and tricky at the same time. Formby reserves its championship ambitions for amateur golf. Its clos- est connection to the Open is through hosting Final Qualifying events. This is where the infamous “Open imposter” Maurice Flitcroft made his first attempt at trying to qualify for the 1976 Open at Birkdale, having eluded the R&A’s scrutiny by entering successfully as a “professional.” The two Australian pros he was paired with were initially taken aback by his unusual golfing garb, then flabbergasted when he went around the links in 121 shots. “That’s the highest score in major championship history,” a newspaper reporter informed his wife back home. “Does that mean he won?” she replied. The Amateur Championship has enjoyed a steady presence at Formby since the 1950s, and the two immedi- ate past champions here were Matteo Manassero (2009) and Jose Maria Olaz- abal (1984 – the club’s centenary year).
Formby’s iconic clubhouse adjoins the 18th.
104 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MAY 2026
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