Golf: R&A are ready for record crowds

May 6 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Multimedia Background image for 'Looking ahead to the 2008 Open at Royal Birkdale'

OPEN organisers are bracing themselves for record crowds at Royal Birkdale this summer.

But director of championships David Hill believes the area is well prepared to cope.

He revealed that an extra 4,000 grandstand seats will be available on the course compared to the Open’s last visit in 1998, while extra trains from Liverpool will be laid on to help ferry people to the neighbouring Hillside station.

Hill was visiting Southport as the first signs of preparations for the July tournament were taking shape. Workmen were busy piecing together the huge stands that will be able to host 18,000 spectators, including the huge gallery overlooking the 18th green, where seats will be available for 7,000 people.

"We're anticipating 200,000 people coming here to Royal Birkdale, hopefully a record crowd for Royal Birkdale, given fair weather," Hill said.

"Getting 200,000 people here to the course and getting them away at night- time and ensuring that they've had a really fantastic experience is quite a challenge."

There will also be room for 15,000 cars per day, with a third of those within walking distance and the rest on park and ride sites just five minutes away.

Hill said planning for Birkdale was helped by its natural setting amidst the dunes.

"It's one of the great spectator courses on the Open route," he added.

"There are many natural viewing points."