Liver Birds

“On the mountain stands a lady, who she is I do not know, all she wants is gold and silver” readers of a certain age may remember that as the Liver Birds theme, but for this week its very apt.

The truly magnificent Royal Liverpool Golf Club plays host to the Ricoh Womans British Open, a tough test for any golfer.

Hoylake has hosted 11 Open Championships, 18 Amateur Championships (including the inaugural event), 3 Ladies Amateur Championships, and 1 Curtis & Walker cups, so it is soaked in the history of the game.


Woods, Jones, Snead and Hagen all won the Open Championship there, if not for a 39 year gap from 1967 to 2006 it would have probably included Watson, Ballesteros and Nicklaus!

But this is the 1st time the Ricoh Womans British Open will have been held there so the winner joins a rich rich history.

The course will show changes from 2006.

The Ladies will tee off on the 17th and finish on the 16th. The reason for this is to allow more stands around the green, corporate hospitality is vitally important! To be honest I think they should do the same thing at the Open Championship as I honestly think 16 is a better hole than 18. BUT boy is 17 gonna be a great opening hole!

If the girls walk off with a par on the 1st (17th) they will be very happy, trust me.

A key stretch will be 8,9,10 & 11.

Briars is a par 4 with a blind tee shot aiming just at a marker pole, it’s a case of really trusting your line and yardage on it.


Dowie is a good par 3 which be played at around 160 yards but a front pin will be hard given 2 very good bunkers at the front of the green. It’s very much a middle of the green for safety shot.      

Far is aptly named! Long uphill par 5 with an absolute devil of a bunker front right, it’s a bunker that will cost players shots.

Punch Bowl actually does pack exactly that, a punch. A superb links hole to a hidden green, oh and a very very narrow fairway!

Theses 4 holes will be crucial I think, but the Championship could be won or lost on the last 3 holes.

Field is a testing par 5 to a tight green, but long hitters will get there!

Lake is a testing, truly testing par 4 to the most interesting green on the course, oh and a tight lay up area to boot.

Dun is just that, you could be done after it! I cant see anyone going for it in 2. Its is simply a proper golf hole, on a proper golf course!

This week I think golfing brain will conquer over golfing brawn.

When GB&I won the Curtis Cup in 1992 a 23 year old Catriona Lambert was a member of that winning team, now known as Catriona Matthew I have a fancy she is the player to beat next week. She had a very good week at Kingsmills and I think Hoylake will suit her to a tee.  

But here is a thought, if you are anywhere near Hoylake get out there and watch the girls. If you have never been to a professional ladies event before you really dont know what you are missing. No inflated egos, no snubbing fans, they genuinely interact with the fans. Last year at Carnoustie Karrie Webb made me laugh out loud!

So go on and watch Major golf the way it should be!