The part Tommy Fleetwood played in Europe’s historic Ryder Cup win in the summer has resulted in a dramatic surge in membership at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, the golf club where it all began for him as a boy.
Fleetwood grew up in Southport and learned to play as a youngster at Formby Hall. He has deep roots at the club today and chose to open his first Tommy Fleetwood Academy – the TFA Formby Hall – there in 2019.
Now, in what the resort is calling the “Tommy Fleetwood effect”, the club has seen memberships and applications rocket by 77 per cent.
Formby Hall has also had a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in footfall to its Toptracer driving range and a 43 per cent increase in rounds played on its Woodhey Dunes course.
Junior enrolments are also up 28 per cent compared with pre–Ryder Cup levels.
Says Mark Williams, the club’s Golf Manager & Head Professional: “Formby Hall has been associated with golf’s elite since we opened in 1996. Having such strong links to one of the world’s best golfers in Tommy Fleetwood is a privilege.
“It’s fantastic to see how his achievements have inspired junior and adult golfers to take up golf. We’ve had everything from complete novices to experts get in touch with us since the Ryder Cup.”
Tommy Fleetwood holds the Ryder Cup aloft after Team Europe’s dramatic victory in the summer
At the TFA Formby Hall, Norman Marshall uses his decades of experience and time with Tommy to create structured coaching programmes that include the games and drills that Tommy used as a developing golfer.
Norman says: “Our programmes incorporate life skills and lessons that extend far beyond the golf course and into our daily lives – things like resilience, hard-work and belief, which is especially powerful for young people.
“We have juniors and their parents who tell us that the skills acquired at the TFA help them to manage difficult times in their lives and have built up their confidence – that’s something me and Tommy are incredibly proud of.”
Formby Hall Golf Club 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.
Golf facilities and the Toptracer driving range are open to the public regardless of golfing ability and experience.
For more information visit www.formbyhallgolfresort.co.uk/golf
