Inside the bid to bring Ryder Cup to England as Tommy Fleetwood lends his support

After over 20 years away, hopes are growing that the could finally make a return to England - but at a venue that is still yet to built.

The Greater Manchester area is not one known for its championship courses, but this could soon change with developers ready to build a state-of-the-art complex at Bolton's Hulton Park, fit to host one of the sport's greatest events. Having been a mainstay on the Ryder Cup rota, England has not hosted the event since its last trip to The Belfry in 2002.

Since then, the matchplay clash has been held across Ireland, Wales, , France and most recently Italy on European shores, before a return to Ireland's Adare Manor is on the cards when Europe next play host in 2027.

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As time has gone on, concern over when England will return to the rota has grown, but there is confidence behind the Hulton Park bid that this could be the venue that marks a comeback. Whilst the PGA of America have booked in their next three venues up until 2033 ., question marks still remain on when the DP World Tour will confirm their next European venues.

Last week a report from Spanish outlet claimed that the 2031 event will be hosted at PGA Catalunya, with an official announcement imminent. With this, there is optimism that the 2035 Ryder Cup could then finally make its way England, with three venues contesting.

Both and another development at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa are in the running alongside Hulton Park. Mirror Sport does however understand that the proposed Bolton venue is in the driving seat, with talks ongoing with both UK Sport and the UK Government.

European Tour Group bosses are in ongoing discussions with those behind the Hulton Park bid, having visited the site, and helped shape the venue's proposals. The 700-year-old site - that was the former stately home of the Hulton family - is yet to be developed into a golf course, with the construction set to only get the go ahead if the bid to host the 2035 matchplay event is succesful.

Despite this, those behind the plans feel they have both met and exceeded the European Tour Group's hopes for a future venue. Providing comment to Mirror Sport, Peel Land Planning Director Richard Knight revealed those who have drawn up the bid have attended both the Ryder Cup and Tour events to better shape their plans.

"We have learned from events that we have been to that the Ryder Cup is just getting bigger and bigger and you need to create the right infrastructure, have the right facilities and lay on a proper event, and use it to create a legacy. We are learning all the time and like to think [the Hulton Park] venue would take things to the next level."

Early plans to build a Ryder Cup venue in the area were initially pushed back by locals and Bolton councillors, but the plan has since been given the go-ahead. Knight believes the golf course will only benefit the local community. "The plans would transform a neglected estate that has been in a century of decline," he added.

"It would open it up for the beneficial public use. We have engaged locally at several points and made changes to help public access, create local community facilities, improve transport infrastructure. There is a lot of benefit to this project for people in the local area."

A change in Government could well have an impact on the speed of the 2035 bid, with focus expected to turn onto the topic in the Spring 2025 budget. In terms of Hulton Park's hopes, a decision sooner rather than later would be of benefit with time required to put together to new venue.

As well as a championship golf course, planners have also proposed to build new homes on the site, as well as two hotels, lodges and chalets, a health and wellbeing hub and a golf academy and driving range. Importantly, Hulton Park has received the support of one of the biggest figures in European golf through three-time Ryder Cupper Tommy Fleetwood.

Last year Fleetwood was announced as an ambassador for the bid, descending just 30 miles from the venue in Southport. “I’ve studied the proposals for Hulton closely and seen the site for myself – it is an amazing landscape and the prospect of a purpose-built stadium course here would be fantastic for everyone concerned – for golf, for the tournament and for the game in England," Fleetwood claimed.

"But perhaps more importantly, I love what this proposal offers to my corner of the country. I can see that it would inspire more people in the North West to take up the game and for those who don’t play golf, it will also bringing jobs, investment and tourism to the region and open up a huge new green space for the community."

Of course a decision is yet to be made on the bid, with talks with those involved set to continue in the coming months. “Ryder Cup Europe has received considerable interest in staging future editions of the Ryder Cup from several countries and venues across Europe," a Ryder Cup Europe spokesperson told Mirror Sport in September. "Discussions with all interested parties will continue in the months ahead before any decision and announcement is made.”