The Open adds three courses to Regional Qualifying

The R&A has announced three new regional qualifying venues for the Open.

Sandy Lodge, The West Lancashire and Wildernesse were today announced as the three venues that will host Regional Qualifying events from 2015 to 2019. The courses are part of a list of 12 in total that will host regional qualifying in 2015.

The West Lancashire is among the 10 oldest clubs in England, having been founded in 1873, and co-hosted the Amateur Championship in 2009. It is also scheduled to host a Final Qualifying event this year, when the Open is played at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Wildernesse, has regularly hosted English Golf and county events throughout its 122-year history and was a Regional Qualifying Course from 1998 to 2003.

Rhodri Price, director of championship operations, said: "Our qualifying process is designed to give competitors a range of geographical options in their bid for a starting place in The Open Championship.

"We only play our events on courses of the highest standard and Sandy Lodge, The West Lancashire and Wildernesse are all welcome additions to our roster of qualifying courses."

The other Regional Qualifying courses for 2015 will be Bruntsfield Links, The Buckinghamshire, Hankley Common, Little Aston, Luffenham Heath, Moortown, Northumberland, Remedy Oak and The Island.