Buda Cup - where else to play

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Royal Liverpool and Wallasey are the jewels in the crown of the Wirral, that piece of land that was once part of Cheshire jutting out into Liverpool Bay between the Dee and Mersey Estuaries.

There is other decent golf on the Wirral:

Caldy http://www.caldygolfclub.co.uk/
Heswall http://www.heswallgolfclub.com/
Hoylake Municipal http://www.hoylakegolfclub.com/
Wirral Ladies (no website) SUEHEADFORD@virgin.co.uk

It is easy to get by car or train to the great Lancashire Links:

West Lancs http://www.westlancashiregolf.co.uk/
Formby http://www.formbygolfclub.co.uk/FormbyGolfClub.html
Southport and Ainsdale http://www.sandagolfclub.co.uk/
Hillside http://www.hillside-golfclub.co.uk/
Royal Birkdale http://www.royalbirkdale.com/

Hesketh is also a pleasant part links in Southport: http://www.heskethgolfclub.co.uk/

Royal Lytham is a bit further away, let's say 90 minutes (but you can get there by train via Preston) http://www.royallytham.org/

Also in the Lytham area it would be worth considering

St Annes Old Links http://www.coastalgolf.co.uk/clubhouse.htm
Fleetwood http://www.fleetwoodgolfclub.org.uk/

I heartily recommend the journey north to Silloth on Solway http://www.sillothgolfclub.co.uk/
Seascale http://www.seascalegolfclub.co.uk/

and for quirk Windermere
http://www.windermeregolfclub.com/html/thecourse.shtml

It is a relatively simple journet over the M62 to north Leeds and Alwoodley http://www.alwoodley.co.uk/ and Moortown http://www.moortown-gc.co.uk/ the two earliest MacKenzie courses.

Ganton is about an hour further beyond Leeds, so it is a serious journey, but a wonderful course:
http://www.gantongolfclub.com/

Some of you have mentioned Woodhall Spa, which again is fabulous, but it will take you most of the day to get there:http://www.woodhallspagolfclub.co.uk/

There are good second division courses nearer at hand in Cheshire of which my pick would be:

Sandiway http://www.sandiwaygolf.co.uk/
Delamere Forest (web site www.delameregolf.co.uk doesn't seem to be working today)  there is also http://www.dfgc.ic24.net/
Prestbury http://www.prestburygolfclub.com/
Reddish Vale http://www.reddishvalegolfclub.co.uk/
and in Derbyshire, slightly further away Cavendish
http://www.cavendishgolfcourse.com/

Those are Ray/Colt, Fowler, Colt, MacKenzie, MacKenzie respectively.  I am sure my son would happily introduce a party of three at Wilmslow: http://www.wilmslowgolfclub.ukf.net/

I know some of you want to visit Fowler's Beau Desert, which I strongly recommend, but leave several hours to get there.  The M6 is a dodgy motorway, hideously busy and prone to lengthy roadworks and horrendous accidents either of which can leave you ibn a traffic jam for several hours.

http://www.bdgc.co.uk/

Nearby is Whittington Heath (Colt)
http://www.whittingtonheathgc.co.uk/html/index.asp

Stay in the area - don't try it as a day trip.

The A55 North Wales Coast Road is excellent and puts Conwy easily in reach - I would happily introduce three of you:
http://www.conwygolfclub.co.uk/

North Wales is fun:
http://www.northwalesgolfclub.co.uk/

Further afield (and particularly good value) are:

Bull Bay (Fowler): http://www.bullbaygc.co.uk/
Porthmadog http://www.porthmadog-golf-club.co.uk/
Holyhead http://www.holyheadgolfclub.co.uk/
Nefyn: http://nefyn-golf-club.com/
Pwllheli http://www.pwllheligolfclub.co.uk/
Aberdovey http://www.aberdoveygolf.co.uk/
Royal St Davids http://www.royalstdavids.co.uk/
Borth and Ynyslas http://www.borthgolf.co.uk/

Or, easily accessible via a good road past Chester and Wrexham Llanymynech, which you play for its spectacular location:
http://www.llanymynechgolfclub.co.uk/
Welshpool (ditto) http://www.welshpoolgolfclub.co.uk/

Given that our petrol is about 90p a litre and that our motorways are getting ever more clogged with heavy traffic I do not recommend flying to Heathrow and driving up to Hoylake unless you have good reason to do so.  Fly into Manchester (which is served non-stop by most of the US airlines from the eastern seaboard hubs and Chicago plus BA and British Midland).  It is a much smaller airport than Heathrow so hire cars are in the terminal building, not off site.  The airport is on the M56, the motorway you need to get you to Hoylake/Wallasey and it really couldn't be simpler.  It is about a 45-minute drive from Manchester Airport to Hoylake.

I should be very happy to direct visitors to historic sites, ancient churches, Roman Chester, Edward I's Welsh Castles, etc.  If non-golfing partners are looking for good shopping I would recommend Chester and Manchester (Liverpool being a dump).  There's a good outlet village at Ellesmere Port for those looking for bargains, ends of line and seconds - clothing and footwear in particular.  

For those who want to indulge in a liitle fine eating there are some first-rate (and very expensive) restaurants to which I can direct Gargantua and Pantagruel.  The Grosvenor Hotel in Chester is world-class and has the largest collection of Opus One vintages outside the States - indeed, many Americans visit just to enjoy a particular vintage.  But it would be a pity to miss on the burgundies which are outstanding - a friend of mine supplies them, which is why I know!

If anyone wants further information feel free to E-mail me.

[Bill_McBride]

My son David and I are currently planning to play Delamere Forest and Cavendish but could be persuaded to do almost anything!  Formby does sound interesting.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Fantastic list Mark.

This morning I flew from Belfast to Stanstead and even from 29000 feet it was so clear I could pick out many features.  Strangford Lock, across the Isle of Man and as we hit the mainland the Captain said we are passing just to the south of Liverpool. There was a large beach right next to (what I believed to be) Royal Liverpool and the sun was beaming down on her.

However for overseas visitors Liverpool would also be an ideal base for a trip to the Isle of Man for golf.  Castletown is an old Mackenzie Ross links course with a famous finish. Although I've not played there I believe it could qualify as a real gem.  It's not hidden it's just that view people bother to make the trip.  I'm guessing the ferry from Liverpool is less than an hour and it's a taxi ride from the port. (tel 01624 822201).

Has anyone played there or at Douglas Municipal (Credited to Mackenzie)?

[ed_getka]

Mark,
  One can scarcely be expected to build a trip around such a paltry list. Say hi to Giles from us.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

I was in Chester, singing, on Saturday and I notice there is an FCUK in the centre of the city, for those of you who want to buy nearly rude clothing....

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Once the list of what courses we will play for the Buda Cup is posted, I am going to start filling in the other area courses for those who want to play before and after. As noted above there is no shortage of Championship level venues in that part of England.

[Bill_McBride]

Tiger, the two official courses are Hoylake and Wallassey.

[Jay Flemma]

Mark, this is very helpful.  You are a terrific resource and so is your article on the cheshire courses here:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/opinionrowlinson.html

Your article actually turned me on to one I want to play, but would otherwise have never heard of:  Reddish Vale.

So to everyone else, I fervently have my heart set on playing Lytham.  Is there anyone else who would care to join me?  I have Reddish second on my "wish list"

One note....what are we doing about ground transport?  How close are the hotels to the course, what airport do we fly into?

Is anyone else interested in playing Lytham and reddish and wanna go "halfsies on a car?"

[Michael Whitaker]

Jay - I am definitely interested in stretching this trip out... probably to the better part of two weeks. At this point I'm thinking of flying over on September 23 and staying through October 4, or so. I haven't decided if I'm going to fly into Scotland or England, but I would definitely like to have a traveling/playing companion for any or all of my trip. Feel free to email me if you would like to compare ideas: md.whitaker@charter.net.

Mike

[Mark_Rowlinson]

The hotel is about a mile from Wallsey Golf Club and a 10 minute drive from Hoylake.  It is about 45 minutes from Manchester Airport.  It is obviously a good idea to share a car.  I am quite prepared to transport anyone who doesn't relish driving in the UK to and from the airport, but I don't have an enormous car so if there is more than one of you, one will be sitting in the back with a couple of bags of golf clubs on his knees.

[Tom_Doak]

Mark:

When exactly is the event scheduled?

We have started work up at Archerfield so the chances are decent that I will have a couple of shapers who might want to participate.

[Bill_McBride]

The hotel is about a mile from Wallsey Golf Club and a 10 minute drive from Hoylake.  It is about 45 minutes from Manchester Airport.

Mark, I've searched the threads and don't find mention of the hotel.  Could you please post this information?  Thanks.

[Jay Flemma]

Mark W:

Would love to hear your ideas.  Perhaps might they involve Lytham?

What do others think of my choice of Reddish vale?  I kinda "picked it out of a hat..." but usually when I do that I get pleasantly surprised...

[Paul_Turner]

As an aside:  I'm curious if anyone has played Blackpool North Shore?  It used to host a pro tournament in the 60s.

[ForkaB]

Mark:

When exactly is the event scheduled?

We have started work up at Archerfield so the chances are decent that I will have a couple of shapers who might want to participate.

Tom et. al.

The dates are October 2-4-Hoylake (18), Hoylake (36) then Wallasey (36), as Sean said.  Philip Gawith, who is in charge this year, will be sending out an update soon regarding the hotel and other arrangments.

I am sure your shapers will be welcome, Tom, as would you.

Cheers

Rich

[Mark_Rowlinson]

I don't want to pre-empt Philip's update, when it happens - I know he's been very busy.  Last week I visited four hotels with which Philip had been in contact and I have recommended to him one of them because of its relative ease of access to both courses and its quirkiness!  If Philip decides to go along with my recommendation you'll be staying in a place that dates back to 1592, has connections with Shakespeare and very early horse racing, and the lounge is actually a bit of a very famous mediaeval/renaissance court room which usually ended in the loss of a head or two.  I found the staff very friendly, but you'll not understand a word they say unless you are well versed in Scouse.  If Philip decides to go down this road I'll give you the hotel website.  But he's organising this event, not me.


Blackpool North Shore has been used for Final Open Qualifying when the Open has been held at Lytham.  Try the website: www.bnsgc.com  

[Michael Whitaker]

Royal Lytham & St Annes offers accommodations at their Dormy House as follows:

Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast: £92

Golf for Dormy House guest: £73 per round

Special Packages are available, for example: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast and 4 rounds £420 (four golfers?)

If you are not a Dormy House guest golf costs £110. So, the NET cost for dinner, bed, and breakfast at the Dormy House is only £55.

Here is a link to their site: http://www.royallytham.org/html/greenfee.htm

I think this would be an absolute BLAST!

Anyone interested for pre-Buda or post-Buda? If we can put together a foursome it would be great.

[Jay Flemma]

I'll echo Mike's support of a Lytham Day for our trip to England!

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Royal Lytham - you will NOT be disappointed.  Go for it!  I should try to play it AFTER Hoylake and Wallasey - it will make a great climax to the visit.

[Andrew Mitchell]

Mike/Jay

I would be interested in joining you but, as I live within travelling distance of Lytham, it would only be for the golf not the accommodation & golf.

If you can get two others for the Dormy House I wouldn't be offended but if you are looking for someone to make up a fourball I could be your man!

[Michael Whitaker]

Mark & Andrew - Should we try to play Lytham on Thursday or Friday? I was thinking we might play somewhere on Thursday, drive to Lytham for dinner on Thursday night, breakfast & golf at Lytham on Friday, then on to a Manchester hotel near the airport for a Saturday flight back to the states.

Alternately, we could drive to Lytham for dinner on Wednesday (after golf at Wallasey), breakfast & golf at Lytham on Thursday, play golf somewhere between Lytham and Manchester on Friday, then off to the states on Saturday.

What do you think?

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Michael,  

It's really a question of which course has visitor slots to suit you.  It doesn't really matter what order you play them in - but if you could get a round at Formby or Royal Birkdale (with Hillside, Southport & Ainsdale and West Lancs as possible alternatives) on the day you are not playing Lytham you would have one heck of a trip.  None is very far from Manchester Airport and the motorway network is in your favour.  I have no personal knowledge of the airport hotels (I live so close I could walk there!) but the SAS Radisson is literally between Terminals 1/3 and 2 and involves a journey of about 2 minutes on foot to either terminal....  However, do consult me before booking an airport hotel - some are miles away!

I should not need to stay at any venue, but I would happily join you if you needed a four making up, but I would not play at the expense of anyone else - visitors first.

Mark.

[Andrew Mitchell]

Michael

I could do either Thursday or Friday.  As I stated previously I live in travelling distance of Lytham. I've never played there and would love to but, as Mark says, not at the expense of any visitor who is there for the full week.  Other commitments mean I can only dip in and out of the whole week's package.

Andrew

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Andrew - if we don't get to play this time, we could surely meet up another time.  Where do you live?

[Andrew Mitchell]

Mark - sorry for the delay but I've had no internet access over the Easter holiday.

I live in West Yorkshire - if we don't get anything sorted for October I'd love to play there with you another time.

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