Wirral Council’s leader has paid tribute to the work that has gone into preparing Hoylake and West Kirby for The Open golf championship, which is under way at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
Cllr Paul Stuart’s message comes as the area prepares to welcome many tens of thousands of visitors over the next week.
Cllr Stuart said: “The Golf Open Championship gives us an incredible chance to showcase the area to many thousands of visitors, as well as a huge TV and online audience right across the world.
“We knew there was a lot of hard work required to host the Open following on from the success we had when we hosted the Open in 2006 and 2014, especially given how the scale and complexity of the event has grown enormously over recent years.
“As well as some of the biggest golf crowds ever seen in England, we will have hundreds of journalists from the world’s media and news outlets heading our way, we will be encouraging them to experience many of the things that make our peninsula so special, including our glorious coast and countryside and wonderful hospitality.”
The first practice day at the course took place yesterday, with spectators also able to watch The Open Invitational featuring stars including TV presenter Bradley Walsh, boxer Tony Bellew and footballers Jordan Pickford and Jermaine Jenas. The tournament was won by a team led by Hollywood actress Kathryn Newton.
Cllr Stuart added: “Community groups, individuals, businesses and many teams from across the council have been working hard to make sure Wirral is ready for The Open and its first visitors.
“Hoylake really is looking beautiful and ready to welcome the world. There is a real buzz surrounding this event, and I know that its residents and businesses across Wirral will take real pride in showcasing the area at its glorious best to audiences on the world stage.
He added: “It’s also a unique chance for Wirral residents to enjoy hosting a truly global sporting event and I know that people will give the warmest of welcomes to more than a quarter of a million visitors over the coming days.”