Warwickshire
The Belfry is a golf resort set in 550 acres of North Warwickshire countryside near Wishaw, approximately eight miles from Birmingham city centre. The site was originally agricultural land - famously described as 15 potato fields - before construction began in December 1974 following a deal between the PGA and the developer Ellerman Lines. The resort is home to three courses and serves as the headquarters of the Professional Golfers' Association. The flagship layout is the Brabazon, a par-72 course measuring 7,255 yards, designed by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas and opened for play in 1977. The two other courses are the PGA National, which has an inland links character, and the shorter Derby course at 6,099 yards over par 70.
The Brabazon has hosted the Ryder Cup four times - in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002 - more than any other venue in the world. Europe's breakthrough victory in 1985, ending 28 years of American dominance, was sealed by Sam Torrance's birdie putt on the 18th hole. The 1989 match was halved, with Europe retaining the trophy as holders, the US won in 1993, and Europe secured a convincing win in 2002. The Brabazon has also staged multiple European Tour events including the British Masters. The course was built on what Alliss and Thomas described as unremarkable farmland requiring extensive sculpting to create its distinctive character.
The two signature holes are the 10th and 18th, both dominated by water. The 10th is a short par four of around 311 yards where the entire carry from the tee is over a pond, offering players the choice of laying up or attempting to drive the green. A plaque marks the spot where Seve Ballesteros first drove the green in the 1978 Hennessey Cup, effectively putting the course on the map. The 18th is a demanding closing par four where water threatens both the tee shot and the approach to a long, narrow, triple-tiered green, and has been the scene of some of the most celebrated moments in Ryder Cup history.
