The world is watching us

Jul 19 2006 Wirral News

A WORLDWIDE audience of hundreds of millions is expected to tune in for the 135th Open Championship, which is being held at Royal Liverpool.

The Hoylake club's 7,258-yard par 72 course will be televised in around 170 countries worldwide, reaching 410m households with around 2,000 hours of live coverage beamed around the globe.

Meanwhile, around 200,000 visitors are expected during the championship which takes place from July 20-23.

Approximately 26,000 people turned out at Royal Liverpool to watch Roberto de Vicenzo claim the Claret jug in 1967. Organisers say they are expecting between 200-300 photographers and around 1,000 staff from television companies from the UK and abroad.

Scores of reporters and photographers have already arrived to set up their computers and cameras in a temporary media centre set up 200 yards from the main clubhouse.

Inside the massive marquee is a press hall lined with row upon row of desks equipped with phone lines and laptop ports. A giant scoreboard and television screen are suspended at the front of the hall, to keep journalists up to date with the latest news on the tournament.

Towards the rear of the marquee is a row of soundproofed booths for radio broadcasters.

Last week, BBC technicians were busy installing the last of around 100 miles of cable and some 60 cameras that will cover the 18 holes. Six cameramen will use radio cameras without cables, enabling camera operators to get closer to the action on the fairways.

There is also a 72-metre high "hoist camera" for a birds eye view across the whole course and a blimp camera offering wide-ranging aerial views.

Andrew Cross, who became captain of Royal Liverpool in April, said: "In 1967, there were 30,000 or so people here throughout the week, and now we're looking at more than 200,000.

" It's a totally global sporting spectacle with 80 countries worldwide seeing coverage of it."

Stuart McDougal, press officer for the Open Championship, said: "The press facilities are fantastic this year. We can deal with around 300 to 400 journalists in the marquee and seat around 100 photographers at any one time.

"We are delighted to be back at Hoylake after a break of 40 years. For most journalists this is a new venue, some of the Americans even asked if it was a new course."