By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Although it is some time in the future, Bolton, in Greater Manchester in the Northwest of England, is bidding to become the first English host of the 2035 Ryder Cup for more than 30 years.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has announced a funding package, with a focus on infrastructure around a new world-class golf course to be built at Hulton Park, to support the bid to host this prestigious event, including a new M61-M6 link road, costing £70 million (around €81million).
Burnham stated that the bid was "not pie in the sky" and that there had been "promising conversations" with the organisers.
And added that a bid would be submitted next month and, hopefully, there would be a decision soon.
If the Bolton bid were successful, it would be the first time in more than 30 years since the event was staged in England at The Belfry in Warwickshire in 2002.
There are two other golf courses in England, which are in contention for the 2035 event, and these are the London Golf Club in Sevenoaks, Kent, and Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire.
The Ryder Cup takes place every two years and involves 24 of the best players from Europe and the United States going head-to-head over three days in match play competition, and the two continents take it in turns to host the event.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘