Cabbies get into the swing of the Open golf at Birkdale

May 13 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

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

CAB drivers are being tutored in the golfing knowledge ahead of July’s Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale.

Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa is laying on free two-hour workshops with PGA experts next month.

The spa is expecting more than 100 Merseyside taxi drivers to sign up for the sessions.

The resort says with more than 230,000 golfing enthusiasts descending on Liverpool and Birkdale, cabbies will need the latest fairway know-how to keep passengers entertained.

They will be taught the main golf terminology, the background on the Merseyside players taking part and how the game is scored, after which they will get a free round of golf.

Matthew Allen-Chilman, head of golf at the resort, said: “The Open’s arrival in Sefton is a real coup and we want to make sure that the game is accessible to everyone – not just the professionals and golf stalwarts.

“We all know that the city’s cabbies are among some of the most friendly in the UK and with some extra help we’re going to make them the most golf-savvy too.”

And the idea seems to be going down well with the city’s drivers.

Mersey cab driver Chris Stroud said: “I’ve actually just started taking an interest in golf and I can just about master it on the computer, but in reality I’m still an amateur and would love to go to Formby Hall and get some tips from the pros.”

Another local cabbie, Paul Matthews, added: “It’s a great idea, there’s 1,400 Cabbies in the city, so I’m sure the classes will be pretty busy.”

The Formby Hall resort has recently completed a £10m make-over.

Cabbies interested in taking the golf knowledge at the resort contact The Golf Shop at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa on 01704 875 699.

The workshops will take place on May 14 and 21.

GOLF NORTH WEST:PAGES 35-38

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