Over the Bank Holiday weekend Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa celebrated 25 years and Liverpool FC legend Sir Kenny Dalglish brought his clubs along to take part. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool FC legend Sir Kenny Dalglish was guest of honour at the golf club and resort he helped officially open 25 years ago.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa celebrated its quarter century with the inaugural Anniversary Cup golf tournament. 160 men, women and junior golfers took part.

In a Ryder Cup-style tournament, that also included 20 founding club members, club captain Simon Chung and vic-caption Bobby Phenna each formed a team and took each other on. 

The Captain’s team was victorious on the day and presented with the inaugural Anniversary Cup trophy. All tournament golfers received a commemorative 25th Anniversary lanyard and enjoyed a BBQ party and trophy presentation at the 18th hole.

Formby Hall is commemorating its 25th anniversary with a number of promotions and events, as well as the Anniversary Cup. It has so far raised more than £5,000 for two charities. They are The Paper Cup Project, chosen by men’s club Captain Simon Chung and Woodlands Hospice, chosen by female club Captain, Janet O’Connor.

Both amateur and professional golfers have played at the club throughout its 25 years. Its historic link to Liverpool FC began when Sir Kenny officially opened the golf club in 1996. It was also chosen by Jurgen Klopp to celebrate Liverpool’s Premier League win in June 2020.

Sir Kenny Dalglish, one of Liverpool’s most famous players and managers, said, “Formby Hall is a wonderful golf course that I’ve loved to play over the last 25 years. There’s a great team at the club and I was really happy to come along today and help mark the occasion.”

Founded as a Championship golf course, Formby Hall has long been associated with golf’s elite. The PGA European Tour chose Formby Hall as a venue for the European Challenge Tour from 1999-2001.

Its PGA Academy and Resort was added in 2008, and the Tommy Fleetwood Academy, which nurtures the next generation of golf talent, joined in 2019. Tommy Fleetwood himself had his first professional victory at Formby Hall when he won the Formby Hall Classic in 2011 on the Euro-Pro Tour.

It comprises the Old Championship Course, with its wooded areas and water hazards providing definition and character to a course that has hosted the European Seniors, Challenge Tour and Euro-Pro Tours.

The Woodhey Dunes 9-hole course captures the charm of links golf. Built on sand and plotting its way through dune style terrain, the course features generous putting greens and strategically placed bunkers. The signature hole is the second, featuring a challenging island green.

Mark Williams, golf manager and head professional, who has been with Formby Hall for 13 years, said: “It is extremely satisfying to be involved in the 25th anniversary milestone celebrations, having seen Formby Hall flourish and develop into the vibrant resort that we have today.”