The Open Championship, Royal Birkdale, England, July 17-20, 2008
The Open Championship will return to Royal Birkdale from July 17-20. It will be the ninth Championship to be played over the Lancashire course where Peter Thomson won the first and last of his five Open titles and where Arnold Palmer's victory in 1961 marked the virtual re-birth of golf's oldest championship. Other players to have won at Birkdale are Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch and Mark O'Meara.
Join us at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July; we will customize your trip to your specification and organize golf before or after this great event. Examples are:
The Liverpool Marriott
The Liverpool Marriott Hotel City Centre couldn't offer a better location, set within the art and cultural district overlooking vibrant Queen Square. Beautifully decorated during a recent refurbishment, the bedrooms offer air conditioning and luxurious bedding with cotton-rich linens and fluffier pillows. After a day at the Open Championship enjoy a swim in the indoor pool or a relaxing dinner at Olivier's. Keep your exercise on track while working out in the leisure club. And, stay in touch with colleagues with wireless Internet access at VivaCity Café. Package: 4 nights accommodations with breakfast, service and tax; ticket to the Open for 3 days, hire of a car for two or minivan for four with full insurance. Air fares not included.
$2725 per person sharing room
Dublin and the Open
Four nights at the 4* Grand Hotel in Malahide, a very picturesque village on the coast north of Dublin with golf at Portmarnock, European Club and Baltray. Fly from Dublin to Liverpool directly Then four nights at the Liverpool Marriott Hotel with tickets to the Open on three days. Car rental included. Air fares not included.
$4660 per person, sharing room
Ballybunion & the Open
Four nights at the 4* Ballygarry House Hotel in Tralee in Co Kerry with golf at Ballybunion Old & Cashen and Tralee. Fly from Shannon to Liverpool directly. Then four nights at the Liverpool Marriott Hotel with tickets to the Open on three days. Car rental included. Air fares not included.
$4690 per person, sharing room
The Irish Royals and the Open
Four nights at the 5* Merchant Hotel, Belfast with golf at Royal County Down, Royal Portrush and Royal Belfast. Fly from Belfast to Liverpool directly. Then four nights at the Liverpool Marriott Hotel with tickets to the Open on three days. Car rental included. Air fares not included.
$4995 per person, sharing room
History of The Open Championship
The first Open Championship was played over three rounds of Prestwick's 12-hole course on October 17, 1860. The event was inspired by the Earl of Eglinton and Colonel James Fairlie and at their instigation the members of Prestwick contributed funds for an extravagant belt of red leather adorned with silver buckle and decorations.
It was only at the beginning of October that letters were sent to leading clubs inviting them to send up to three of their best caddies, who were the first professionals, to take part in the event. Just eight men played in that first challenge and Willie Park of Musselburgh beat Tom Morris by two strokes with a score of 174. No prizes were awarded until 1873 when Park again triumphed and received £10.
Although the following year's championship was declared "open to the whole world" the number of contestants rose to only 12, and this time Morris took the honours. He and his son, Young Tom, were to dominate the event, winning four times each by 1872.
Young Tom was awarded the belt outright after winning three in a row from 1868, achieved with ever decreasing scores. His 36-hole total in 1870 was 149 - 13 strokes better than any other champion’s winning score. The event had always been played at Prestwick until this point, but in raising funds for a new trophy the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers were invited to contribute and to stage the championship in turn. It was at this point that the famous silver claret jug replaced the belt as the Open trophy.
It was not until 1894 that other venues were added to the rota and Royal St George’s, at Sandwich in Kent, became the first non-Scottish club to enter the history of the Open, followed in 1897 by the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake in Cheshire.
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