ROYAL BIRKDALE GOLF CLUB: Considered to be one of the finest courses in the world, the classic links course offers fairways that snake through massive dunes providing an ultimate test of golf. Royal Birkdale has hosted the men's championship nine times, first in 1954 and most recently in 2008. Royal Birkdale will again host the oldest major in golf in 2017. It has hosted the women's tournament five times, and again in 2014. Royal Birkdale has also hosted the Ryder Cup in 1965 and 1969, the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup, and. the Senior Open Championship.