Royal Birkdale beats Hoylake, Carnoustie on Open lettings
Property lettings for this year's Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale, Southport, reached £1.5m, according to official agent Ball & Percival.
The lettings total exceeded the Open at Hoylake in 2006, where £1.2m was taken, and Carnoustie in 2007, with £1.4m. Ball & Percival, part of the Venmore Group, said it let 250 properties for the 10-day letting period 12-21 July, with prices ranging from £1,500 to five figures for larger properties near to the course.
Simon Wall, managing partner of Venmore, said: "These are absolutely tremendous figures and reflect the huge economic impact the Open has on the local economy.
"As a region Merseyside is experienced at knowing how to lay on an enjoyable, efficient and properly organised Open golf championship in partnership with the R&A."
Ball & Percival acted as the official letting agents for the previous three Open championships held at Birkdale.
Wall added: "We knew there would be considerable interest after the magnificent success of the Royal Liverpool Open at Hoylake. But where Hoylake was an unknown quantity, having not hosted the Open since 1967, Birkdale is very much an established venue. This credibility helped bring in key supporters in greater numbers such as the sponsors, manufacturers, media and other exhibitors."
