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The British Open 2008

The history of the Open Championship dates back to 1860 when Prestwick Golf Club staged an event for leading professionals. Eight players turned up and completed three rounds of the 12-hole course. The following year, in an effort to increase the entry, the event was thrown open to all the world, professionals and amateurs alike. The original winner's trophy was a wide red leather belt heavily decorated with silver. Under the first rules of the competition it became the property of 'young' Tom Morris when he won the title three times in a row. No championship was held in 1871, but resumed the following year when Prestwick, the Royal and Ancient and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers combined to provide the claret jug trophy that is still awarded to the champion golfer every year.

OPEN 2008

Venue: Royal Birkdale

Date: 17th - 20th July 2008

Destination: Southport - "England's Golfing Capital"

Southport is delighted to host, once again, the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, when the 137th Open Championship which returns in July '08 for the ninth time to Royal Birkdale Golf Club on the north west coast of England.

Royal Birkdale is, for many, simply the greatest course to have staged The Open Championship. This famous challenging links course last hosted the Open Championship in July 1998 when Mark O'Meara beat Brian Watts in a play off. Daily Post golf writer, Trevor Peake quoted him as saying "Birkdale obviously has a very special place in my heart of all the Open Championship venues. The Open is played on firm courses and with the winds playing a part, which dictates how the players are going to play. It's a sort of golf I really love to play. To go back to a place where I won my favourite major will be very special and it will be the first time I have been back since 1998".

Visitors to this years Championship will continue to be impressed with the improvements to the course and clubhouse. The golfing digest ranking of the top 100 best courses positions Royal Birkdale 18th outside of the USA.

Practice days are from 13-16 July, with the Championshiprunning from 17-20 July. Tickets can be bought via the R&A by clicking on the 'Open Championship' link shown above or can be purchased (in person only) via Southport Tourist Information Centre, 112 Lord Street, Southport PR8 1NY.

For Southport accommodation go to www.visitsouthport.com for accommodation outside Southport go to www.englandsgolfcoast.com

Travel Advice click on this link

For property rental enquiries please contact the official lettings agents:

Ball & Percival,132 Lord Street,Southport Merseyside

PR9 0AE

Tel: +44 (0)1704 504 303

Website: www.golfopen2008.com