Open prospects set to buck current climate
The R&A's chief executive has said the golf association expects a successful Open at St Andrews, despite the financial climate.
Officials check the Old Course.
- By Gordon Berry and Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 15.07.10
- Published online : 15.07.10 @ 11.50am
Peter Dawson spoke on Wednesday as the skies opened up over St Andrews on the eve of the 150th anniversary Open, with the threat of more to come.
Despite this, around 220,000 visitors are expected over the four days — rivalling the largest attendance at an Open Championship in 2000, when a crowd of 223,000 was recorded.
All eyes will fall once again on bookies' favourite and world number one Tiger Woods, who will vie for a fourth Claret Jug at the course where he won the title twice before.
Since a string of lurid revelations came to light about the golfer's private life last year, the golfer has faced more media scrutiny off the course than he has on it.
Despite the added pressure, expectations remain high for Woods, who is expected by many to feature come Sunday, when the tournament reaches its climax.
Sadly, yesterday's dreadful weather led to the cancellation of the Champions' Challenge four-hole event, a highlight of the week that was due to take place along with a parade and a Freedom of the Links ceremony.
At the daily press conference, Mr Dawson was asked how this Open is expected to perform, and whether the economic climate is taking a toll.
Mr Dawson said that since the event is in St Andrews, corporate sales are up compared with the last year or two, but are nowhere near where they were 10, 12 or 15 years ago.
He said while that is an issue, it is a relatively minor one.
"We are, of course, in the middle of a pretty bad economic period, and just how many people come and pay at the pay gates as opposed to having bought their tickets in advance remains to be seen," he said.
The press conference also heard advance ticket sales are ahead of 2005 with the public, and that a large number of people had paid yesterday.
Championship committee chairman Michael Brown said St Andrews Opens are always exciting, and the 150th anniversary adds a bit of spice.
"I think everyone, in spite of what's going on outside with the weather, is wearing a smile going into the championship," he said.
The Open Championship in St Andrews was worth more than £72 million to Scotland in 2005 according to an economic study, and this year a similar figure is estimated for the local economy.
MSP Iain Smith welcomed the tournament back to the town, saying St Andrews holds a "special place" in the heart of golfers and fans.
"Competitions of this kind enormously enhance the prestige of St Andrews and north-east Fife as a premier golfing destination, but its economic role ... is hugely significant.
Despite the fact yesterday was a practice day, St Andrews was packed with visitors, many of whom had looked forward to the Champions Challenge, but were treated to a mini-gale and driving rain.
One was surgeon Steven Tristram, who said he was disappointed, but the decision was understandable, and he is here to see the whole championship. "It's the way it goes," he shrugged.
Charlie Murlog from Ireland said he had only come to St Andrews to see the practice days and yesterday's planned event, but he was philosophical about the outcome.
"It's just bad weather. What can you do?" he said.
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