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A Lancashire golf course has been ranked as the fourth-best in the country in a new list, one of 10 in the North West on the list. Despite being snubbed by the R&A and The Open for 13 years, Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club has been lauded in a recent list. It has been placed fourth in National Club Golfer magazine’s Top 100 Golf Courses list in England, ranked behind only fellow Open rota links Royal Birkdale in Southport in third, and Royal St George’s in Kent, which took top spot, with Berkshire heathland course Sunningdale (Old) placing second.
In the list, NCG says the course “retains a homely feel that is conveyed by some of the modest but pristine houses lining the links” and “it is sometimes hard to believe that you are only half a mile away from the sea”. The magazine adds: “The challenging and well-maintained course presents a stern test of golfing skill, with strategically placed bunkers and thick rough requiring accuracy and precision. “It is celebrated for its historical significance and its contribution to the world of golf.
” MORE: Key vote to keep Bolton Ryder Cup dream alive passes MORE: Work to begin on potential Ryder Cup course in Bolton For 2025, it added: “An unremittingly strong examination with wonderful routing, fantastic green complexes and fearsome bunkering. “What it lacks in views, it more than makes up in presentation, challenge and quality of turf.” Ernie Els won The Open at Royal Lytham in 2012 (Image: PA Archive/PA Images) The club was founded in 1886 and has hosted The Open Championship 11 times since 1926, its most recent hosting coming in 2012 when South African Ernie Els claimed the Claret Jug.
No courses in Greater Manchester were included in the list, with the nearest being Prestbury Golf Club, near Macclesfield, which ranked 73rd. MORE: Derelict golf driving range demolition plans stymied MORE: Indoor golf venue near Bolton offers new experience with 'screen golf' Describing it as "one of England's finest inland courses", NCG added: "Excellently routed by [Harry] Colt over falling terrain to produce holes of great interest – and sublime views of the surrounding countryside. "Excellent par 3s and a significant investment in bunkering improvement.
" The North West coast was well represented in the list, with 10 courses overall: Royal Birkdale (3rd), Royal Lytham (4th), Royal Liverpool (11th), Formby (12th), Hillside (22nd), West Lancs (25th), Southport and Ainsdale (29th), Wallasey (46th), St Anne’s Old Links (72nd), and Formby Ladies (92nd). Judges for the NCG Top 100 lists take a shortlist of around 200 courses deemed worthy of inclusion – based solely on the course and ignoring other offerings the club has (such as the clubhouse, practice facilities, etc) – and then the panel spent last summer touring the courses to put together the list. The panel is made up of players from a variety of backgrounds, including golf journalists and people from a range of professions, with handicaps ranging from scratch to 22.
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