A momentous step towards bringing the golfing tournament to Hulton Park took a huge step forward this week

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham spoke of ‘promising conversations with organisers’, but locals still believe plans for the 2035 Ryder Cup are unlikely to come to fruition.

A fresh bid has been made for Bolton to host the Ryder Cup in 2035 this week.

Mr Burnham has unveiled a funding package focused on infrastructure, including a £70million link road between the M61 and M6, to support plans for a purpose-built course at Hulton Park.

If successful, it would bring the biennial event to England for the first time since 2002, but it could face competition from London Golf Club in Kent and Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire.

The town was previously put forward as a potential host for the 2026 and 2031 editions but those efforts failed to materialise.

This latest push is being framed as a more credible attempt, with significant investment aimed at addressing earlier concerns around transport and infrastructure.

Mr Burnham said: “We’ve had promising conversations about bringing the tournament to a bespoke, world-class course at Hulton Park, but it will only be possible with the right infrastructure.”

But near the site concerns were also raised about the town’s infrastructure, with a common complaint being the major tournament’s effect on traffic – which locals say is already considerable.

Nick Richardson and Bertie the dog (Image: Dan Dougherty)

David Elphick-Moore, 70, said: “It’s the stupidest idea I’ve come across – why build another golf course when they’re closing them down throughout the country?

“And the town is so full already – if you ring up the doctor you’d be lucky to get an appointment until next week.

Dawn Elhpick-Moore, 65, added: “The roads can’t take the traffic as it is – all it is is money in Peel’s pocket.”

Hulton Hall used to stand on the park grounds until it was demolished in the 1950s.

Infrastructure was a big concern for people, especially what would be done with the excess crowds attracted by the Ryder Cup.

Resident Nick Richardson – with dog Bertie – said: “Where’s everybody going to park?
“I don’t know what Peel are planning to do.

“There’s no infrastructure for it – you can’t even get to Wigan at the moment.

“The A6 is bad – all the roads will be so busy.

Sign in Westhoughton (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“They either need to put in another roundabout or something else to control it – the roads won’t hold the crowds they’re expecting to get.”

Not only was there concern around infrastructure, several residents were still sceptical the Ryder Cup would come to Bolton at all.

Michael Smith – himself a golfer – said: “I think it’s a bit of a joke to be honest.

“I play myself at Westhoughton and I don’t think it’s going to happen.

“I don’t think they will give it to somewhere where the weather is this bad.

Michael also had opinions on the infrastructure of the plans.

“I don’t think Westhoughton can cope -” he said, “maybe in 20 years, but not in 2035.”

Michael Smith, Westhoughton resident and golfer (Image: Dan Dougherty)

Michael did point out, however, that it would not be unprecedented to award the Ryder Cup to a golf course that has not yet been built.

Former resident Carol, who now lives in Bromley Cross but returns to Westhoughton to have her car cleaned, said: “I think the roads are terrible as it is.

“My daughter has just moved and she has to use the Chequerbent roundabout and she says it’s awful.

“With all the new cars and homes it will just be a total standstill.

“Whenever I come to Westhoughton the traffic up Newbrook Road is horrendous.”

One resident – who works for a construction company and did not want to be named – had a different perspective on the scheme.

“I’m happy about it,” she said, “I hope it will happen.

Land next to Manchester Road near Chequerbent Roundabout (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“I think it would be fun if they do put there, as well as the link road, which we do need.”

This refers to the plans for a link road between Bolton and Wigan, for which £70m has been allocated under the plans, according to the latest statement.

“I look forward to having a new road,” she said, “if they get that in it should free things up in the town.”