Luffenham Heath Golf Club in Lincolnshire, England, has been named as a regional qualifying for the 2013 Open Championship.

The course, originally designed by Harry Colt and opened in 1911, has recently been upgraded and extended to 6,550 yards, with the addition of two new greens, six new tees, plus six new bunkers. All 70 original bunkers have also been renovated, with extensive upgrading and a new maintenance regime overseen by recently appointed greenkeeper Nick Nottingham. 

Club captain Michael Pring said: “To be awarded regional qualifying is a great honour and underlines the outstanding quality of this historic golf course and the successful implementation of the changes we have made.

“Luffenham Heath has hosted major amateur events in the past and has also welcomed some of the greatest professionals, including five-times Open Champions Harry Vardon and James Braid. Now the course, which has never looked or played better, is ready to be part of the world’s oldest and most important major professional championship, the Open Championship.”