Formby Golf Club
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Formby Golf Club will host the 2016 Palmer Cup, Palmer Cup Chair-man Jim Awtrey announces at Cup's 2014 opening ceremony.

Palmer Cup Chairman Jim Awtrey has announced at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Palmer Cup that Formby Golf Club will host the cu in 2016.

Formby Golf Club runs through costal sand dunes and towering pinewoods, and boasts a combination of well-protected greens, challenging tee shots and undulating fairways.

Strategically placed pot bunkers and frequent changes of wind strength and direction added to the mix will allow new visitors to quickly discover why Formby is so popular with discerning golfers. It is a course of magnificent contrasts, making it a true championship links course.

Formby Golf Club remains an enjoyable test of golf, as it has been sensitively modernized from the original 18-hole course founded in 1884.

The original 18-hole course was redesigned by famous golfer and golf architect Willie Parks.

Over recent years, discreet changes have been made, such as the planting of trees in the early 70’s to screen the railway.

Bunkers have also been modified, with new creations at the fourth, sixth and 11th holes and others redesigned. In 1997, fairway watering was introduced on five holes, which has now been extended to all 18.

More recent modifications to Formby include a larger practice ground on the area of the 14th hole, with the new 14th hole lying south of the previous one; making the whole a different but considerable challenge.

Over the years, Formby Golf Club has hosted a number of tournaments and competitions, including the Curtis Cup in 2004. It has also been used as the qualifying course for The Open Championship in 1924, 1971 and most recently in 1996.

Arnold Palmer, who lends his name to the competition, said “I’m pleased a membership the caliber of Formby Golf Club has agreed to the host the 2014 Palmer Cup. Formby has a history of enthusiastically supporting both the amateur game and international play. The links should provide a rewarding challenge to the young men competing in our matches and produce a worthy champion.”

Bernard Billington, Captain of the Formby Golf Club, also spoke about the decision for them to hose the Cup, saying “All at Formby Golf Club are delighted, honoured and excited to be hosting the Palmer Cup in 2016.

We have a very unique links course, which is recognised as one of the world’s best, and we can guarantee that it will provide a fair, yet extremely challenging test for the players. Many of the world’s top golfers from America and Europe have graced our fairways over the years and are all in agreement that Formby is indeed some where special to play.”

 

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x