|
2011 British Open in England
8 Nights | 4 Rounds | 9-18 July 2011 | Escorted for Party of 16
This year’s Open Championship gives us the opportunity
to offer a different, full and very entertaining experience in
England. It begins with links layouts the world knows well but
many haven’t played: “England’s Royals” – Royal
Birkdale, Royal Lytham & St Annes and Royal Liverpool. Each
is found along a 30 mile stretch of the Lancashire “golf
coast”; each is well deserving of its place among the Open
Championship’s modern rota. Birkdale last hosted in 2008
(Harrington); Liverpool in 2006 (Woods); Lytham in 2001 (Duval).
Non golfers will enjoy their time shopping and dining in the
resort town of Southport with particular emphasis on the Victorian
splendor of Lord Street, Southport's Parisienne Boulevard. Your
lodging on Lord Street is at the Vincent Hotel, an impressive
boutique property with stylish décor and luxurious appointments.
Our time in Liverpool will provide a cherished chance for those
who may recall John, Paul, George and Ringo to visit the Beatles
Story museum. Then on Day 6 we’ll relocate to London for
three nights at the Radisson Edwardian Kenilworth in central
London. The British Museum is found next door; Oxford Street,
Covent Garden and Soho within a short walk. En route we’ll
stop to see Oxford, England’s famous university town which
is home to 39 colleges, architectural beauty and world-class
museums. This evening in London is highlighted by pre-theatre
style dining and a West End show.
 Our next day is devoted to London. We’ll combine walking
tours plus the use of our private motor coach to sample the iconic
treasures of one of the world’s greatest cities. We’ll
begin with the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. After
lunch you’ll be astounded by Westminster Abbey soaring
overhead and then the breathtaking views of London for miles
below from the incredible London Eye.
Attendance to the final round of the 140th Open Championship
at Royal St George’s in Kent will provide a dramatic conclusion
to your vacation. Golf history holds a special place for the
club which was founded in 1887. It was the first Open ever hosted
outside of Scotland (1894) as it was here that Englishman JH
Taylor and Harry Vardon of the Great Triumvirate won Claret Jugs.
CLICK HERE FOR A DETAILED ITINEARY
Royal St George’s Golf Club
Perhaps
unsurprisingly, the course which would be the first host of The
Open Championship outside Scotland was discovered by a Scotsman.
Dr Laidlaw Purves, an eminent surgeon, who had been born in Edinburgh
and learnt to play golf on Bruntsfield Links, is said to have
stood atop St Clement’s Church in the village of Sandwich,
cast his eyes over the surrounding countryside, and exclaimed: “By
George, what a place for a golf course!”
On 23 May 1887, 88 founding members subscribed to St George’s.
Just five years later, truly the blink of an eye in the late
19th century, news of the “extraordinary new course at
Sandwich” had spread so quickly that in 1892, St George’s
was rewarded the (British) Amateur Championship. Merely two summers
later, it become only the fifth club to host The Open Championship,
and the first to do so outside Scotland.
With its long carries from the tee and valley fairways winding
through heavy rough and huge sand dunes, St George’s was
truly daunting. Englishman JH Taylor, one-third of what would
become known as the Great Triumvirate, signed for four rounds
in the 80s for a total of 326 and a five-stroke victory.
Fast-forward another half-a-decade, and it was another third
of the Triumvirate’s time to triumph. Harry Vardon won
his third Open Championship in 1899. Another eight Opens would
be decided on the Sandwich links over the coming half-century
including South Africa’s Bobby Locke’s win in 1949.
A 32-year hiatus followed, with golf’s oldest Major finally
returning to the south coast in 1981. Thirty years and four Opens
later, this quintessentially English club and links, looks forward
to hosting its 14th Open Championship.
|
