The R&A today announced two new Open Championship host sites, ensuring the future of the oldest golf major in the world.
Future of Major Golf: Open Championships Next Sites Unveiled
Royal North Devon Golf Club, host of the 127th Open Championship in 2023, is a course that is steeped in history, standing proudly as England’s oldest golf club. It offers a sublime combination of natural dunes, immaculate fairways, and challenging greens that present a stern test for even the most skilled golfers.
Royal Troon Golf Club, scheduled to stage the 152nd Open Championship in 2030, is no stranger to hosting major golf events and has been widely regarded as one of the toughest links courses in the world. With the iconic Postage Stamp green, the course demands strategic approach and pinpoint accuracy from every stroke to navigate through its undulating fairways and treacherous bunkers.
| Tournament | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 127th Open Championship | Royal North Devon Golf Club | July 2023 |
| 152nd Open Championship | Royal Troon Golf Club | July 2030 |
These Open Championship venues promise to provide thrilling golf and unforgettable experiences for players and spectators alike. With their captivating landscapes and challenging layouts, they set the stage for iconic moments that will forever be etched in the annals of the sport.
Unveiling Royal Troon and Nairn Golf Club as Hosts for Upcoming Opens
The R&A has announced that Royal Troon Golf Club and Nairn Golf Club will host the Open Championship in 2024 and 2025, respectively. These two iconic links courses will provide a stern test for the world’s best golfers.
Royal Troon, located on the west coast of Scotland, has hosted the Open eight times, most recently in 2016 when Henrik Stenson emerged victorious. The course’s challenging layout, featuring deep bunkers and gorse rough, requires precise shot-making and a strong mental game.
Nairn Golf Club, situated on the Moray Firth in northeastern Scotland, has never hosted the Open before. However, it has a rich golfing heritage and has been a popular venue for amateur tournaments. The course features a variety of holes, from long par-5s to short par-3s, and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
The inclusion of Royal Troon and Nairn Golf Club in the Open Championship rota is a testament to their quality and the R&A’s commitment to showcasing the diversity of links golf in Scotland. Here’s a summary of the key details:
| Course | Location | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Troon Golf Club | West coast of Scotland | 2024 |
| Nairn Golf Club | Moray Firth, northeastern Scotland | 2025 |
These two tournaments are sure to provide unforgettable moments and crown worthy champions. Golf fans from around the world will be eager to see how the best compete on these historic links courses.
Royal Westmorelands Bid to Impress and Secure the Elite Event
Royal Westmorland Golf Club in Cumbria, England, is among the two courses being considered as potential future hosts of The Open Championship. The club has a rich history and a challenging links layout that would provide a stern test for the world’s best golfers.
Royal Westmorland has been a regular host of top-level golf tournaments, including the English Amateur Championship and British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship. The course is known for its undulating fairways, thick rough, and well-protected greens, which demand precision and shot-shaping.
In its bid to secure The Open, Royal Westmorland has proposed improvements to the course, including lengthening several holes and adding new bunkers and water hazards. The club is also confident that it can accommodate the large crowds and infrastructure required for the championship.
Royal Westmorland would be the first course in Cumbria to host The Open. If successful in its bid, the club would join a prestigious list of venues that have hosted the championship, including St Andrews, Royal Troon, and Royal Portrush.
Examining Course Suitability: A Deeper Look at the Chosen Links
The R&A’s decision to bring the Open Championship to Royal Troon and Royal St. George’s in the coming years has been met with widespread approval. Both courses are renowned links layouts that will pose a stern test to the world’s best golfers. However, it is important to examine the suitability of these courses for the Open Championship in more detail.
Royal Troon: A True Links Test
Royal Troon is a classic links course that has hosted the Open Championship multiple times. The course is known for its challenging layout, which features narrow fairways, pot bunkers, and unpredictable winds. The rough is also thick and penal, making it difficult for players to recover from wayward shots. All of these factors combine to create a course that will test the skills of even the most experienced golfers.
Royal St. George’s: A Links Course with a Difference
Royal St. George’s is another links course that has hosted the Open Championship several times. However, the course is slightly different from Royal Troon. It is located on a flatter piece of land, and the fairways are wider. Additionally, the bunkers are not as deep and the rough is not as thick. As a result, Royal St. George’s is generally considered to be a more accessible course than Royal Troon.
Table Comparing Royal Troon and Royal St. George’s
| Feature | Royal Troon | Royal St. George’s |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Ayrshire, Scotland | Kent, England |
| Terrain | Rolling dunes | Flat |
| Fairways | Narrow | Wide |
| Bunkers | Deep and penal | Shallow and less penal |
| Rough | Thick and penal | Thin and less penal |
| Wind | Predictable | Unpredictable |
Conclusion
Both Royal Troon and Royal St. George’s are excellent links courses that will provide a stern test to the world’s best golfers. However, there are some subtle differences between the two courses. Royal Troon is a more challenging layout, while Royal St. George’s is slightly more accessible. Ultimately, the choice of which course is better for the Open Championship is a matter of opinion. However, there is no doubt that both courses will provide a memorable experience for players and fans alike.
In the future, The Open Championship will continue to visit some of the most iconic links courses in the world. The next two courses to host the tournament are Royal Liverpool in 2023 and Royal Troon in 2024. These two courses have a long and storied history in the game of golf, and they are sure to provide a challenging and exciting test for the world’s best players.
