One of Surrey’s top golf courses will welcome many of the game’s legends, including Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson and Sam Torrance this year, as Walton Heath Golf Club hosts the 25th edition of The Senior Open Championship on July 21-24, writes Sam Feasey.

Thirty years after Walton Heath staged a historic Ryder Cup that saw the first combined European team compete on European soil – rather than Great Britain and Ireland – play against arguably America’s greatest ever outfit, many of the players from both continents will be returning to Surrey’s beautiful heathland to give spectators the chance to see the legends in action.

Surrey resident, Torrance, will be hoping to win his first Senior Open Championship at Walton Heath where he made his Ryder Cup debut in 1981 alongside current title holder, Langer.

Andrew Brown, Chairman of Walton Heath Golf Club, said: “Walton Heath Golf Club is delighted to be hosting such a prestigious tournament, and looks forward to welcoming back many of the professionals that played in the 1981 Ryder Cup and European Opens held at Walton Heath.”

As well as producing a number of popular champions and memorable performances over the years, Walton Heath has boasted some famous members including a reigning monarch, King Edward VIII, and four serving Prime Ministers: Lloyd George, Bonar Law, Arthur Balfour and Winston Churchill.

Managing eirector of the European Senior Tour, Andy Stubbs, believes the rich golfing history at Walton Heath Golf Club will ensure a truly memorable event for everyone.

He said: “For any golf fan that has grown up watching these legends play and create their own milestones, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to come and watch your heroes in action.”

IWalton Heath has also hosted the European Open five times and has been the US Open Championship European Qualifying venue since 2005.

David Hill, Director of Championships at The R&A, added: “We are delighted that The Senior Open Championship will return to Surrey following the success of the 2009 Championship at Sunningdale, which attracted fantastic crowds.

“Walton Heath is a highly respected golf course and we look forward to welcoming the Club to our rota of courses to host the Championship and working with their members and officials to make it a great success.”