Best Amateur Championship Venues
By: Kieran Clark | Mon 18 Jun 2018
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The 123rd Amateur Championship is contested at Royal Aberdeen and Murcar Links in the North East of Scotland, making their debuts on the rotation. Dating back to 1885, the event is among the most historic in golf, and has welcomed many of the greats, including Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, Rory McIlroy, and Sergio Garcia. Naturally, the Amateur has graced many of the finest stages in the British Isles, and we take a close look at those revered venues.
Royal Liverpool
Host of the inaugural Amateur in 1885, Royal Liverpool has been the most frequent venue in the Championship's history, hosting the event on 18 occasions, most recently in 2000 when Finland's Mikko Ilonen took the title. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
St Andrews Links
The spiritual Home of Golf was among the original rotation for the Amateur, but hasn't hosted the Championship since 2004. Perhaps most famously, Bobby Jones won at St. Andrews on route to completing his legendary "Grand Slam" in 1930, winning the four amateur and professional Opens on either side of the Atlantic. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Royal St. George’s
Eight-time winner John Ball secured the first Amateur at Sandwich in 1892, and the Championship has since returned on a further 13 occasions, most recently last year when England's Harry Ellis won the final after 38 holes. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Prestwick
Birthplace of The Open Championship, Prestwick has been an 11-time host of the Amateur, most recently in 2001, when future European Tour stalwart Michael Hoey claimed victory. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Muirfield
Sergio Garcia memorably won the Amateur at Muirfield in 1998, and the Championship most recently was played at the famous East Lothian course in 2010. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Royal Porthcawl
Making its debut in 1951, this highly rated Welsh links was the stage that Scott Gregory made his own in 2016, when the Englishman was victorious over Scotland's Robert MacIntyre. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Royal Troon
Frequently part of The Open Championship, Troon has also been home regular home of the Amateur, including in 2003 when Gary Wolstenholme secured his second title. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Carnoustie
This year's Open venue, Carnoustie has been a regular for the Amateur, most recently in 2015 when Romain Langasque won. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s
American Drew Weaver won the Amateur at Lytham in 2007, the last time the Amateur came to town. The links first hosted the Championship in 1935, when Lawson Little from the United States successfully defended the title. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Turnberry
Spectacular Ayrshire venue, Turnberry has been used in the Amateur, most recently a decade ago in 2008, when Reinier Saxton of the Netherlands defeated Tommy Fleetwood in the final. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Formby
Matteo Manassero won here in 2009, following in the considerable footsteps of Jose Maria Olazabal, who triumphed at Formby in 1994. The Amateur also came to the layout in 1957 and 1967. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Ganton
Ganton has hosted the Amateur on three occasions, most recently in 1991. Peter McEvoy won at the North Yorkshire venue in 1977. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Royal North Devon
Historic Royal North Devon first hosted the Amateur in 1912 - John Ball's eighth and last title - and was a regular on the rotation, but the Championship hasn't come here since 1931. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Royal Cinque Ports
Twice-Open venue, and three-times home of the Amateur, the Championship most recently came to this famed Deal links in 2013, following an absence of 31 years. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Royal Birkdale
For many, Birkdale is the finest links in England, and last year's Open Championship venue has sporadically hosted the Amateur, most recently in 2005. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Royal Portrush
The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush next summer, and the Northern Irish course was last seen for the Amateur in 2014, when Scotland's Bradley Neil took the trophy back to Perthshire. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Royal Count Down
Regarded as being among the world's greatest courses, County Down hosted the Amateur in 1999, when future European Tour winner Graeme Storm was the last man standing. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Hillside
The Amateur came to Hillside in 2011, following its appearance in 1979. This is widely viewed as being among the finest layouts not to have hosted The Open Championship. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Royal Dornoch
Royal Dornoch is tucked away in the Scottish Highlands, but this spectacular links did host the Amateur in 1985. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Nairn
Host of the 1999 Walker Cup, this superb course on the Moray Firth welcomed the Amateur in 1994, as England's Lee James overcame the formidable Gordon Sherry of Scotland. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
Portmarnock
The Walker Cup was held at Portmarnock in 1991 - when Phil Mickelson played for America - and the Dublin course hosted the Amateur in 1949, marking the first and only time the Championship was held outside the United Kingdom. Golfshake Rating & Reviews
About the author
Kieran Clark is the Digital Editor of Golfshake. He oversees editorial content, community engagement, forums, and social media channels. A lifelong golfer from the Isle of Bute in Scotland who has now lived in St Andrews for a decade, he began playing at the age of five and maintains a passion for exploring courses, with a particular affection for historic layouts. Kieran regularly contributes in-depth opinion pieces and features, drawing on his enthusiasm for the game and its culture.
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