The Road to Mallorca stops off in England this week for the British Challenge presented by Modest! Golf Management at The Belfry Hotel & Resort. Here’s what you need to know before the action gets under way.
Iconic venue…
The Belfry Hotel & Resort is one of the most iconic venues in world golf having hosted a plethora of tournaments, namely the Ryder Cup on four separate occasions. The English venue first hosted the biennial contest in 1985, when Team Europe, led by Tony Jacklin, defeated their American counterparts 16.5 -11. 5. A 14 – 14 draw occurred in 1989, when Europe successfully retained the Ryder Cup, before Team USA triumphed 15 -13 in 1993. The most recent contest took place in 2002, when Ireland’s Paul McGinley holed the winning putt on the 18th green to secure a 16.5 – 11.5 triumph.
But a different course…
The Brabazon has been the setting for those memorable Ryder Cup moments down the years, however this week’s event will take place on The Belfry’s second course, the PGA National. The track has been host to two European Tour events and recognised by the PGA as a world-class tournament course with fast undulating fairways and greens, severe run-offs and 70 strategically placed deep bunkers.
World Number One…
No, not Jon Rahm, but the Number One ranked player in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD), Brendan Lawlor, is in the field this week. The Irishman, who is represented by Modest! Golf Management, this week’s tournament Presenting Partner, has received an invite to tee it up at The Belfry. The 22-year-old, who has a type of dwarfism named Ellis–van Creveld, claimed back to back wins at both the EDGA Cazoo Open and ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Brendan Lawlor to secure his place as World Number One.
History maker…
As well as memorable Ryder Cup moments, The Belfry has also witnessed some emotional scenes at European Tour events and none more so than earlier this year. Playing in his 478th European Tour event, England’s Richard Bland finally won on the European Tour for the first time at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett. The 48-year-old arrived at The Belfry third on the list of players with most appearances without a win, with his only previous success having come at the 2001 Challenge Tour Grand Final when he secured graduation for the first time.
