Open Championship Thousands teeing off before the pros start
THOUSANDS of people have enjoyed playing on the Summer of Golf event in Southport town centre – with over 6,000 visitors last weekend alone.
The event began at 10am last Saturday and is due to finish this Sunday, the final day of The Open golf championship at Royal Birkdale.
The opening times of the range of free golf-themed attractions in the Town Hall Gardens in Lord Street are 10am until 9pm every day.
People can try their hand at a firsttee experience, a nearest-the-pin competition, bunker and long putt challenges, and a mini-putting course.
Visitors and residents can also enjoy free coaching sessions.
The Summer of Golf has been arranged by Sefton Council and Southport BID.
Mark Catherall, 34, head of tourism at Sefton Council, said: “We wanted to do something that would create interest in families and young people and get them interested in the sport.
“We want to make the town centre interesting and full of activities so we can capture the benefits of the 200,000 people that are set to attend The Open this week.”
Among the things on offer at the event, which is hosted by Magnetic Activation and Provision Events, is a golf stimulator which places you on the first tee at the Royal Birkdale via virtual reality, to give users an idea of what the experience is like.
There is also a bunker challenge which allows visitors to attempt to chip out of the sand within a very realistic and challenging bunker.
The 20-metre hole-in-one long put challenge is a popular attraction at the event, which people of all ages can enjoy.
A particular favourite with the children is the six-hole miniature golf course where obstacles and twists have been incorporated to make things a little bit more challenging.
A “coaching zone” is also on offer at the event where visitors of all ages and abilities can improve their skills with professionalonal golfers on hand to offer assistance.
There are also various golf-related prizes on offer for the participants who perform the best on some of the apparatus. These will be announced at the end of the week.
Andrew Gealy, head of events at Provision Events, said: “There really is something for everyone here and the best thing is that everything is absolutely free.
‘‘People have been coming along who don’t play golf, or who aren’t even interested in it. It is a fun event for everyone to get involved in, it isn’t just limited to golf fans.”
This is also the first council led evente that Provision Events has been involvedin with, which it hopes will set a standard for other local councils, after describing Sefton Council as “forward-thinking.”
Remedy and Town Gardens Café also each have pop-up stalls at the event offering speciality gins and ice creams for guests to enjoy in this hot w weather.
Sarah Simcock, co-owner of Reme edy, said: “We are at the event all week and so far it has been great weather. It is definitely bringing people into the town and it is proving to be a popular attraction.
“It is suitable for everyone, including children and families. It is so wonderful to see children enjoying the golf and trying everything on offer.”