Can they swing the Ryder Cup?

Bid to transform parkland into course for huge golf event

- BY CHRIS GEE

IT'S one of international sport's truly elite events.

Held every two years, the Ryder Cup golf competition between European and United States teams becomes a major focus of the sporting world, with tens of thousands attending and millions more watching on television across the globe.

In 2035, when the tournament is next expected to be played in England, it could very well be held on currently undeveloped parkland on the outskirts of Bolton.

Hulton Park, near Westhoughton, is at the centre of Bolton's bid, put together by developers Peel Land and supported by Bolton council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Peel Land has existing permission for the £240million project to build a Ryder Cup golf complex and more than 1,000 new homes on mainly green belt land at the park.

The developer claims if the project is successful it will have £1.6billion of impact on the region, create an international venue hosting local events and bring hundreds of jobs.

Their bold assertions say the project will mean heritage restoration and new access to the park along with updated road infrastructure.