The golfing world eagerly awaits the 151st Open Championship, the oldest tournament in golf, set to take place from July 16th to 23rd, 2023, at the prestigious Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England. Steeped in tradition and boasting a remarkable 154-year history, this iconic golf course is a fitting host for the final Major of the year. Royal Liverpool received its esteemed “Royal” designation in 1871, thanks to the patronage of Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught, one of Queen Victoria’s beloved sons. The original course was masterfully laid out by Robert Chambers and George Morris, the younger brother of the renowned Old Tom Morris. As the championship returns to its roots, let us delve into the captivating story of Royal Liverpool Golf Club and its long-standing relationship with The Open Championship.
17th Hole | Credit: Kevin Murray/Royal Liverpool
17th Hole | Credit: Kevin Murray/Royal Liverpool
The Origins of a Royal Legacy
In 1869, Royal Liverpool Golf Club was founded in Hoylake, and its first clubhouse was situated at the Royal Hotel on Stanley Road, adjacent to what is now the 17th hole. For seven initial years, the club’s links land served a dual purpose as a golf course and a horse racing track, a heritage still evident today in the names of the first and eighteenth holes, “Course” and “Stand.” The club’s inaugural competition, the 1869 Autumn Meeting, marked the beginning of a rich golfing legacy.
Courtesy Royal Liverpool
Golf’s First Amateur Championship
In 1885, Royal Liverpool Golf Club made history by staging an informal Open Amateur “Grand Tournament” during the Club’s Spring Meeting. This match play competition attracted 44 leading players from recognized clubs, culminating in a resounding victory for Allan Macfie, who defeated Horace Hutchinson 7&6 in the final. The tournament’s success led to the club proposing the establishment of a formal Amateur Championship, a suggestion embraced by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. Thus, in 1886, the inaugural Amateur Championship took place at St. Andrews. Nevertheless, in 1922, the Hoylake tournament was recognized as the first Amateur Championship.
John Ball | Courtesy Royal Liverpool
Amateur Greatness and Open Triumphs
The esteemed John Ball, a local Hoylake player, etched his name in golfing history during his time at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. In 1890, Ball secured his second Amateur Championship victory on his home course. That same year, he achieved another milestone by becoming the first Englishman and amateur to win The Open, triumphing at Prestwick. Ball’s silent yet commanding presence on the course led him to claim a total of 8 Amateur titles, cementing his status as one of Britain’s greatest-ever amateur golfers.
Credit: Kevin Murray/Royal Liverpool
Redesigns and International Recognition
Royal Liverpool Golf Club continued to evolve, both in terms of its infrastructure and international prominence. In 1895, the club replaced the Royal Hotel clubhouse with a purpose-built structure along Meols Drive, designed by local architects Woodfall and Eccles. This new clubhouse, understated yet substantial, perfectly embodied the club’s character and complemented the course.
In 1902, Royal Liverpool hosted the first international match between England and Scotland, a significant event that laid the foundation for what would later become the Home Internationals. The match witnessed Scot Sandy Herd emerge as the winner, employing the relatively new Haskell ball and defeating legendary players James Braid and Harry Vardon by a single stroke.
International triumphs continued at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in 1907 when Arnaud Massy, one of France’s most successful professional golfers, became the first non-Briton to clinch The Open. His love for the course led him to name his daughter Margot Hoylake Massy, solidifying the club’s place in his heart.
Courtesy Royal Liverpool
Legends and Unforgettable Moments
Throughout the years, Royal Liverpool has witnessed an array of legendary golfers etch their names into the annals of the sport. Harold Hilton, another accomplished amateur golfer from Hoylake, mirrored John Ball’s success by winning The Open at Muirfield in 1892 and again at his home course in 1897. Hilton, the only amateur apart from Ball and Bobby Jones to claim the title of Champion Golfer, also secured four Amateur Championships and won the US Amateur Championship in 1911.
In 1913, J.H. Taylor’s dominant performance in The Open resulted in an iconic photograph that captured the golfer’s raw emotion, a mixture of pride and sheer joy. Taylor’s eight-shot victory over Ted Ray solidified his place in golfing history and epitomized the spirit of the championship.
Courtesy Royal Liverpool
Royal Liverpool Golf Club’s connection with international competitions continued to flourish. In 1921, the precursor to the Walker Cup, a contest between the United States and Great Britain, took place at Hoylake, setting the stage for future editions of the prestigious amateur tournament. The Walker Cup, donated by George Herbert Walker, would become a revered symbol of international golfing camaraderie.
In 2006, after a 39-year absence, Royal Liverpool Golf Club made a triumphant return to The Open Championship. The heatwave and a bone-dry course did not deter Eldrick ‘Tiger’ Woods, who navigated the challenges with immense skill and care, emerging as the worthy champion. The event drew the second-highest attendance in the history of The Open, cementing the club’s significance on the global golfing stage.
Courtesy Royal Liverpool
Continuing Legacy and Exciting Future
As Royal Liverpool Golf Club celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019, it proudly hosted the 47th Walker Cup, witnessing a thrilling battle between Great Britain and Ireland and the United States. The American team staged a remarkable Sunday comeback, securing victory and highlighting the club’s enduring commitment to fostering international golfing excellence.
Now, in 2023, Royal Liverpool Golf Club will host the 151st Open Championship. This prestigious event will mark the 13th time that The Open has graced the historic links, drawing the world’s greatest golfers to compete for the coveted Claret Jug. As the final Major championship of the year, the tournament’s return to Royal Liverpool reaffirms the club’s standing as a beacon of golfing tradition, excellence, and sportsmanship.
Courtesy Royal Liverpool
With its rich history spanning over a century and a half, Royal Liverpool Golf Club remains an iconic venue that has witnessed the triumphs of golfing legends and the creation of cherished moments. As the golfing world converges upon Hoylake for the 151st Open Championship, the magic of this illustrious course will once again captivate players and fans alike, forging new memories in the ongoing narrative of this storied club.
