70 leading golf course architects will gather in south-east England next week to take part in the European Institute of Golf Course Architects 2015 Study Tour.

The tour – which has a theme of ‘To Heath & Links’ and is supported by the Toro Company – will include visits to four of England’s most prestigious links and heathland courses.

The week will begin at Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire, where a tour of Harry Colt’s ‘Lost Holes’ will take place. Many of these were not popular with players due to the more strenuous walk, and were replaced by Tom Simpson. Simpson’s work was subsequently revised by Harry Colt’s partner, John Morrison.

The New Course at Sunningdale provides a great insight into the tension and rivalries between the two design practices, and attendees will be able to review and tour the historic site. Golf will take place on the New Course the next day, giving tour members the chance to experience Colt’s work first hand.

From Sunningdale, the tour heads to The Berkshire and the Herbert Fowler-designed Red Course, which was the architect’s final work and remains one of his least altered creations.

During the tour’s final two days, attendees will visit the Kentish coast and play two links courses that have previously hosted The Open.

Royal St George’s most recently hosted the event in 2011, and was originally designed by Laidlaw Purves. Royal Cinque Ports hosted The Open twice in the early 20th century, and the course remains to this day one of the most revered links courses in England.

European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA) president Tom Mackenzie said: “The itinerary we have arranged represents a wonderful opportunity for us to enjoy the very best of English golf. I would like to thank all four golf clubs for their tremendous enthusiasm and assistance in helping the EIGCA organise this study tour, and I particularly want to acknowledge the generous support of the Toro Company which has done so much to make this event possible.”

GCA will be joining and will report on the tour in the October edition of the printed magazine.