Royal Birkdale

July 2002

My flight had arrived in Manchester around 9AM and by the time I had cleared customs, not a difficult process in England, and claimed my bag (golf bag that is), and completed the rental car routine, it was probably the better part of 10:30 AM.

I was somewhat familiar with the area, and started north on the motorway.  In 2001, as I headed north on the motorway from Manchester, I had seen a sign for a qualifying tournament for The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Anne's so I thought that would be a good place to start my golf adventures, being relatively close to Manchester.

There are eight golf courses that host The Open and I had done some research about guest play and was reasonably prepared.  Unfortunately, when I arrived at Royal Lytham - St. Anne's, I was politely informed that guests were not permitted to play on that particular day, but they could accommodate me the next day.  Further, the club professional offered to set up a tee time for me at Royal Birkdale, another of the Open courses, less than 45 minutes away.  Off I went.
The straight line distance is only about 10 miles, but you have to drive around a bay which accounts for the time.  I arrived at Royal Birkdale at about 2:30 PM and was offered the courtesy of the course.  The rough was quite a challenge.  If you hit a ball into this rough, you are lucky just to find it, let alone hitting it out.  A challenge but a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

A par 3 at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England. The Irish Sea is 100 yards behind the camera.