The 2026 tour, otherwise known (like the 2025 tour) as 'Paddy's year' (it has been a while...), will be taking place in Saunton, North Devon from 17 to 20 September 2026.

 

We have at least three full days of golf organised, with an option to play an additional round on the Sunday for those leaving later in the day.

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The majority of tourists will be arriving on Wednesday evening in time for some post-travel liquid refreshments. Note that no formal dinner has been arranged for Wednesday as everyone will be arriving at different times, but plans will no doubt be made on the day for those that are there - probably a burger or pizza at Billy Budd's in Croyde. A WhatsApp message will be sent out on the day once there is more clarity on arrival times.

 

Accommodation is spread out between three different rented houses all within a stone's throw of each other in Croyde; details of who is staying in which house and how to get there will be circulated by the 'hosts' (Bill, Adolf and Dangerous) in due course.

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All golf this tour will take place at Saunton Golf Club, host to the Boys Amateur Championship in 1997 when it was one by a young Sergio Garcia. The club is a 7 minute drive from our accommodation in Croyde. 

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The newly re-branded BRyder Kup II matches (England v ROW) will take place on the Thursday morning (first tee time 11:00) on the East Course. Pairings will be published before the event. Described by some as a worthy candidate if there was ever a need for another seaside Open Championship venue, the East course (ranked no. 20 in England) was laid out in 1897 and runs through an amazing expanse of sand dunes designated by Unesco as being of international importance. Herbert Fowler added a bit of redesign magic in 1919, taking full advantage of the natural terrain. Harry Vardon loved it, saying: “I would like to retire to Saunton and do nothing but play golf for pleasure”. With eight par fours measuring more than 400 yards long and only two par fives, low scoring is very difficult, even more so now that the 2nd hole (once a short par five) has been lengthened to almost 530 yards. There are two excellent short par threes, which demand accuracy, and there’s the tough 207-yard 17th hole, which often needs a solid crack with a wood.

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The Champions' & Losers' dinner will take place at The Rock Inn in Georgeham, a 5 minute drive from Croyde. The menu for the evening can be found here.

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The Open Championship will take place on Friday on the West Course (first tee time 11:00). Ranked no. 53 in England, the West was originally laid out in the mid-1930s by Herbert Fowler as a short holiday track. The land was used as a training ground during the Second World War and it lay dormant for over 40 years. Frank Pennink brought the West back to life and the course opened for play in 1975. Slightly shorter than its older sister the East (and better suited to some of our shorter tourists), it nonetheless represents a fine test, now measuring nearly 6,600 yards from the back tees. It challenges the very best golfers, playing host to a number of County Championships and the EGU Seniors Championship. It is a more than worthy understudy to the East, requiring accuracy from the tee. A number of narrow streams (Barry would call them 'burns') come into play and many of the holes feature doglegs. Apart from the opening hole, which plays directly through towering dunes, the rest of the course plays over pleasant undulating links land, where the dunes are far less imposing. Tom Mackenzie has recently completed a West course renovation, the aim being to close the perceived gap in standard between the two courses.

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​After golf, we will be eating at the Club. Dinner will be followed by the weigh-in and auction (Yan's one moment of the year to 'shine'), before taxis take us back to Croyde.

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After a refreshing swim in the Atlantic on Saturday morning, our mighty 2025 champions (Ham Alcott and Egg Barr) will defend the Masters back at the East Course (first tee time 10:30).

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We will return to the hotel after golf before heading out for Kezza the Lezza's birthday celebrations at The Thatch in Croyde.

 

​Sunday morning will see only a handful of tourists taking on the West Course again, with an 11:00 tee time.

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Breakfast has not been organised - given that all of our tee times are either 10:30 or 11:00, the plan is to have a pre-golf breakfast at the Club each day.

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The broad tour itinerary is as follows:

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Wednesday 16 September

• Majority of tourists arrive in Croyde Wednesday evening

• Informal dinner in Croyde

 

Thursday 17 September

• Breakfast in the clubhouse

• BRyder Kup II matches on the East Course - tee booked from 11:00

• Return to accommodation after golf for siesta (or beach/swim)

• Champions' & Losers' dinner at The Rock Inn, Georgeham (7 mins)

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Friday 18 September​

• Breakfast in the clubhouse

• Open on the West Course - tee booked from 11:00

• Early dinner at the Club, followed by weigh-in and auction

 

Saturday 19 September

• Swim, followed by breakfast at the clubhouse

• Masters on the East Course - tee booked from 10:30

• Dinner at The Thatch in Croyde

 

Sunday 20 September​

• Swim and breakfast (DIY)

• 11:00 tee time on the West Course for anyone golfing

• Head home