The unique attraction and challenge of “England’s golf coast” will be promoted around the world via a website launched to coincide with this year’s return of the Open Championship to Merseyside.
Famous and historic courses – led by the region’s three Royals – are at the centre of a worldwide marketing campaign promoting England’s northwest as the country’s premier golf destination.
The latest phase of the englandsgolfcoast campaign aims to build on the existing £10m a year economic impact golf has on the region’s economy.
Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria courses are all featured on the website operated by The Mersey Partnership (TMP) on behalf of partners led by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), which funds the campaign.
The revamped website – www.englandsgolfcoast.com – will assist visitors to the region to plan every aspect of their golfing break. For the first time, they will be able to book their accommodation online and check the latest details of events; submit their own golf course ratings and obtain details of how to book venues.
Charlie Grimley, recently appointed englandsgolfcoast golf development manager at TMP said, “We currently receive an average of more than 100,000 web hits per month. Around 17,000 of these are from the USA, underlining the fact that there is huge interest for our golf offer in that massive market and elsewhere in the world.”
He added, “The return of the Open to Royal Liverpool means the region will once again become the focal point of the golfing world. As well as the 200,000 spectators heading for Hoylake, we will be reaching a massive television audience around the world.”
The englandsgolfcoast campaign was devised to target golfers both in the UK and key markets in Europe and North America as a way of boosting golf tourism and the economic regeneration of the region.
Peter Mearns, director of marketing at the Northwest Regional Development Agency, said, “England’s northwest has always been regarded as one of Britain’s premier golfing regions, but it was not until it came under the englandsgolfcoast banner that it has been marketed as one entity. The NWDA is pleased to support the campaign, which will prompt many of this July’s visitors to return to the region before The Open returns to Royal Birkdale in 2008.”
“Most golfers are aware of the three Open Championship venues in England’s northwest – Royal Liverpool, Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham and St Annes,” added Charlie Grimley, “But few realise how many other great courses we have to offer. Under the golf coast brand we highlight not only the Royals but 16 other courses in the region.”
Group Captain Christopher Moore, secretary of Royal Liverpool Golf Club said, “The north west can justifiably claim to be England’s Golf Coast as it abounds with a wide range of top quality courses, three of which are Open Championship venues. The area provides a wonderful challenge to all golfing enthusiasts.”
The campaign will have a strong presence at the Open later this month with a major stand in the on-course exhibition area where enthusiasts from all over the world will be able to learn more about englandsgolfcoast venues and the new website.
englandsgolfcoast www.englandsgolfcoast.com
England’s northwest is premier golf destination
