Table Reservations
Posted on 14.07.2017
The Shankly Hotel was built upon a wealth of sporting heritage, and as a result, we are extremely excited to welcome The Golf Open back to Royal Birkdale this summer for the 10th time. With some of the greatest golfers coming together in close proximity to Liverpool, make sure you get your tickets to enjoy this remarkable display of golfing ingenuity at the 146th Open 2017.
source: www.thoughtco.com
In 1860 eight men took to Prestwick St Nicholas golf course to determine who would be named the champion golfer among them. First prize was a belt fashioned from rich red Morrocan leather worth a whopping £25 pounds (over £500 to date), named the Challenge Belt.
Three rounds played over the challenging links course resulted in a win by Willie Park Senior beating his rival Old Tom Morris by just two shots. It was from here that the golf open became a tournament open to experienced players across the globe.
For over 150 years talented golfers have battled it out to be honoured the title “Champion Golfer of the Year” and the prize of the iconic Claret Jug.
The Claret Jug replaced the Challenge Belt in 1870 after the belt was won three times in a row by Young Tom Morris and was his for keeps.
In 1872 Morris won The Open again but the new trophy had not been ready in time to present it to him.Then in 1873 Morris’ winning streak was felled by Tom Kidd who was lucky enough to be the first player to receive the Claret Jug, Morris’ name was however engraved first upon the trophy.
Over last century and a half, the winners of The Open have entertained swarms of golf fans with riveting performances of skill and determination. This time honoured golfing competition continues to attract new comers to the sport of golf and bring crowds of spectators to 14 links courses dotted around Britain’s picturesque coastline each year.
source; www.finegolf.co.uk
Situated north of Liverpool on the coast of Southport Royal Birkdale is a sweeping links course that has been carved out among towering sand dunes by three generations of golf course architects.
Royal Birkdale is recognised as the 18th best golf course in the world outside the USA, due to its excellent spectator vantage points and
The first Open Championship to be hosted in Royal Birkdale was in 1954 when winner Peter Thompson became the first Australian to lift the Claret Jug after his triumph. After this Thompson went on to win a further three Open Championships in a row.
A special moment in golf occurred at Royal Birkdale when Lee Trevino completed a hat-trick of victories in the space of only four weeks. Before he lifted the centenary Claret Jug in 1971, Trevino had also won the US Open and the Canadian Open.
Royal Birkdale has a reputation as being a challenging but fun course to play, set out over 6690 yards, with 18 holes and a 70 par. As with any other links course, the challenge can change with the weather, on a windy day anything of the fairway leaves a player in trouble.
This year Royal Birkdale will be hosting it’s 10th Open Championship, with 156 players heading to Southport and crowds of spectators too, the 146th Open is set to be a fabulous golfing event in 2017.
For a great family friendly day out there’s nothing like going to The Open.
If you are already a golf fan then great but The Open also looks after those who are new to the game. The biggest names in golf will be in attendance and you can catch a glimpse of your favourite player winding their way in between the dunes.
There are plenty of refreshment stalls selling delicious food and drinks as well as marvellous spectator spots where you can set up camp at any hole or tee to watch each player start or finish every hole.
The Shankly Hotel is ideally located close to railway stations in Liverpool.
Simply board the train from Liverpool Central or Moorfields bound for Southport and alight at Hillside Station. The journey has 14 stops in total (if boarding at Liverpool Central) and will take just under one hour. From Hillside station Royal Birkdale is just a 10-minute walk.
Stay at The Shankly Hotel during The Open at Royal Birkdale and enjoy a luxurious break in the city with easy access to one of the most prestigious golfing tournaments of the year.
Call and book today for the entire tournament or just the day on 0151 459 3383 or email reservations@shanklthotel.com.
