R&A Open Lock In is a disaster for Southport

Despite the hope of traders across Southport rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of thousands of pounds of Open cash, the R&A have left them in the bunker.

A blanket ‘lock in’ ban has been applied meaning as soon as spectators set foot in Royal Birkdale, they can’t leave and come back in.

This means they will be forced to pay for food and drink supplied by Royal and Ancient approved on site traders, rather than the huge amount of businesses and shop owners in Southport and Birkdale.

Traders are fuming at the situation and say they face, ironically, one of the quietest weeks ever. Dukes Ward Councillor Dawson said “Quite a number of golf fans ‘make a week of’ the event and like to take a little time off from the long days.

“But now, effectively, they have been completely confined to receiving all their catering for food and drink via the monopoly supply of firms contracted to work within the golf course.”

Royal Birkdale members dismay with new clubhouse decree for The Open

• Royal Birkdale members will be allowed one guest in the clubhouse at The Open
• Previously during the Open members were able to invite multiple friends
• A Birkdale member said the decision was made to keep the capacity manageable

There is considerable upset among members of Royal Birkdale just four weeks before the Lancashire golf club hosts the Open Championship.

The club have decreed that during the week of the tournament, members can invite only one guest into the clubhouse, which offers a panoramic view of the 18th green from the bar.

Birkdale regulars believe one of the perks of their membership is to invite friends to the golf when The Open comes to Southport in July.

A Birkdale member said the decision had been made to keep the numbers in the clubhouse manageable.

Royal Birkdale has always been choosy about who they allow into their exclusive club, with football greats Kenny Dalglish and Allan Hansen famously denied membership because of their profession.

Instead they joined nearby Hillside Golf Club, who won’t say why another Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard never became a member, having been proposed and seconded by Dalglish and Hansen. The Hillside secretary confirmed that Gerrard’s application had been withdrawn but didn’t say by whom.