The Belfry

The Derby course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield represents the third of the venue's championship layouts, designed by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas and opened in 1977, the same year as the more famous Brabazon course. While the Brabazon has hosted multiple Ryder Cups and commands most attention, The Derby provides a contrasting test on the same Warwickshire estate, sharing the parkland setting but offering a different routing and character through mature woodland and around several lakes. The course measures over 7,000 yards from the championship tees and features water hazards on more than half its holes, creating strategic demands throughout the round. The layout moves through stands of oak, birch, and pine, with elevation changes that are modest but sufficient to add variety to the predominantly tree-lined holes. Several holes play along or across water, requiring precise club selection and course management rather than the pure length emphasized on the Brabazon. The Derby serves as an important component of The Belfry's resort operation, accommodating members and visitors while the Brabazon and PGA National courses handle tournament play and corporate events. The course benefits from the same maintenance standards and facilities as its more celebrated neighbors, including the clubhouse complex that has served as a hub for professional golf in the Midlands for nearly five decades. It offers a solid parkland test without the pressure or premium green fees associated with walking the same fairways as Ryder Cup history.