I love The Open and all it stands for - its history, heritage and traditions. I have been fortunate enough to have visited most of the courses on the current rota, playing many of them.
I love the spectator experience and the proximity and level of access to the world's best golfers. I always try to visit during the practice days to enjoy direct interaction with the players.
First Impressions of Royal Birkdale
Royal Birkdale is a favourite venue, and I love the North West of England for the golf it offers. The region's early railway lines helped create many of its famous courses, built on the strips of land between the sea and the surrounding towns.
Southport has a population that matches the daily visitor numbers for just one day of The Open, so I am always amazed by the logistical challenges involved and the infrastructure needed to host such an important and prestigious event.
I decided to treat my wife and me to the top hospitality experience that the R&A offers. We planned to enjoy a hotel stay in Liverpool before travelling to the event by train.
The concierge service offered as part of the ticket package was welcome and extremely helpful. They discussed accommodation and travel options with us and ensured a smooth allocation of our electronic tickets.
We arrived at Grand Central railway station at around 8am, enjoying the beautiful weather. Organisation by Merseyrail was exemplary, with extra staff dealing with the golf crowds with quiet, humorous efficiency.
I love the Scouse sense of humour, and all the staff employed in the escorting role seemed to be vying for the position of comic of the day. Extra train carriages had been laid on and I was pleasantly surprised at how clean and tidy they were. Compared with the trains we used to take from New York to Bethpage Black for the Ryder Cup, it was chalk and cheese.
As we made the 40-minute journey, I spent the time golf course spotting. Every course we passed was busy but looked gorgeous in the beating sunshine.
A five-minute walk from Hillside railway station led to the main entrance and security checks. Our ticket entitled us to use the VIP Lane, saving us a 30-minute wait in the sun.
Inside Dunes House Hospitality
We wandered to Dunes House, a three-storey, air-conditioned temporary structure that looked and felt permanent such was the level of luxury and comfort. A quick scan of our electronic tickets saw us issued with wristbands that took on almost magical qualities as the day progressed.
We arranged to meet some friends in the shop within the spectator village but were stymied by queues with at least an hour's wait. I then checked the ticket details and discovered that fast-track access to the shop was also included, so we gratefully took advantage of it. Our ticket also included car parking and access to dedicated viewing points at prime locations, including the fourth and seventh greens and the 10th fairway.
Dunes House sits behind the 15th green but, from its elevated floors, offers superb air-conditioned views across the 14th tee and fairway.
The staff were attentive, welcoming and genuinely interested in ensuring everyone had a great experience. The seating ranged from dining tables to wonderfully comfortable sofas and leather lounge chairs. There was also a superb chill-out zone featuring putting greens and golf simulators.
The food and beverages were exceptional. Breakfast was waiter service. Champagne at breakfast is certainly not my usual routine, but it tasted very good. Our table gave us access to several TVs showing coverage from around the course, while also being positioned beside the windows overlooking the 15th green.
We had our photograph taken with the Claret Jug before joining a question-and-answer session with Luke Donald. He was exceptional, handling an unscripted interview where guests were free to ask anything they wished.
It provided a fascinating insight into his psyche and leadership style. He spoke about the support of his wife and family, and how he dealt with the abhorrent fan behaviour witnessed at the recent Ryder Cup.
He also impressed me with the detail of his preparation and his full appreciation of the value caddies bring to the success of the event. Luke revealed how he decided Billy Foster's contribution to 15 Ryder Cups deserved formal recognition, leading to the creation of a personalised replica Ryder Cup trophy for him. What a well-deserved tribute.
A Day to Remember at The Open
We meandered around the course following the suggested Red Route devised by the R&A to provide spectators with the best views of selected groups.
The spectator village was a joy. It was like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory for golfers. Sunscreen was freely available and there were constant reminders to stay hydrated.
I did my bit by introducing myself to the delightful limited-edition Open gin created by Ben Lomond especially for the 154th Open. It is made using botanicals foraged from around the course, giving it a unique flavour. If you enjoy a drop of gin and haven't tried it yet, I can thoroughly recommend it. I certainly did.
We walked the fairways taking in the exceptional golf and also visited the driving range. The rhythm and sound of some of the shots were simply beyond anything I normally experience.
It was so hot that we needed some respite from the unrelenting sun. At one point, queues for the free chilled water stretched to more than an hour. Dunes House and its impeccable air-conditioned surroundings provided the perfect place to cool down and enjoy lunch.
There was a range of food stations offering buffet-style dining, including Best of British, The Grill and The Seafood station.
I was hugely impressed by both the quality of the food and its presentation. The menu on the day of our visit offered something to suit everyone's tastes. I take my hat off to everyone involved in operating this facility because it is remarkable to enjoy such a fine dining experience inside a temporary structure in the middle of a field.
We kept an eye on the golf via the superb TV coverage while still enjoying the atmosphere as the players passed our luxurious vantage point.
Supporting a Worthy Cause
I obtained my tickets through an auction run by the On Course Foundation, who do incredible work supporting our military community through golf.
Knowing that I had helped raise funds for such a worthy cause made the experience even more special, especially as the tickets had been donated by the R&A as part of the continued support they provide to golf-related charities.
I have seen at first hand the amazing work carried out by the charity and sincerely hope that support from the R&A continues for many years to come.
I was new to this type of golf-viewing experience and I hope it won't be my last. It was a wonderful way to watch the golf, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy one of the world's great sporting events.
If reading this has inspired you to experience The Open or another of golf's biggest events in a similar way, Golfbreaks offers a wide range of tournament travel and golf hospitality packages for many of the world's leading championships.
To explore the options and start planning your own unforgettable golf experience, visit the Golfbreaks Tournament Experiences page. With expert advice, guaranteed tournament admission on selected packages and bespoke travel arrangements, it's an excellent way to enjoy the very best that tournament golf has to offer.
