Royal North Devon Golf Club was founded in 1864 then gained Royal status just 3 years later, it is the oldest golf course in England still using its original fairways. Often known as Westward Ho!, after the town of its location, the layout is the oldest links course outside Scotland and it is firmly entrenched among the most desirable courses in the country.

As a regular feature within the Top 100 Golf Courses in The World, Royal North Devon, Westward Ho! or just plain RND to many, is a unique golfing proposition rich in history. This history includes some of the pioneers of golf, ranging from J.H. Taylor, one of the great triumvirate, who started as a caddie at the course, to the likes of Horace Hutchinson, Harold Hilton and Herbert Fowler who revised the original Old Tom Morris layout.

Located on Northam Burrows, a site of special scientific interest, between Northam and Westward Ho, Royal North Devon has hosted The Amateur Championship (1912, 1925 and 1931) as well as sharing The West of England Championship with Saunton Golf Club.