THE OPEN CAMPING VILLAGE AT TROON TO OFFER FREE ACCOMMODATION TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF GOLF FANS

R AND A NEWS RELEASE

The next generation of golf fans attending The 145^TH Open at Royal Troon this summer will be able to book free accommodation at The Open Camping Village.  The initiative is part of The R&A’s commitment to ensure the Championship is open to all.

The Open returns to the historic Ayrshire links from 10-17 July and will see the world’s best players competing to become Champion Golfer of the Year.  Now spectators aged 25 and under will be able to take advantage of the new accommodation option free of charge.

The Open Camping Village, which will be run by The R&A’s official accommodation partner, will be located a short walk from Royal Troon at Marr Rugby Club. It will feature two, four and six person pre-pitched tents along with inflatable camping beds for each guest. There will be 500 camping places available each night with the facility set to be open from 10-17 July.  There will be food and drink options and shower facilities on-site, as well as free parking. Security will be operating 24 hours a day.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R and A said, “There will be an exciting festival atmosphere at Troon throughout the week of The Open as thousands of people come together for a true celebration of golf. The new Camping Village will provide a fun and safe accommodation option for young people within easy walking distance of Royal Troon.

“The Open is a wonderful opportunity for young fans to get up close to their favourite players and we know this will help inspire future generations to pick up a club and take part themselves. Our aim is to make The Open as accessible as possible and the new Camping Village along with discounted Youth Tickets and the Kids Go Free programme are key parts of this commitment.”

Families can also take advantage of the free accommodation at The Open Camping Village, with children under the age of 16 required to be accompanied by at least one adult of any age, to a maximum of two adults.

The Open offers a variety of ticketing options including a discounted Youth Ticket for spectators aged 16 to 21 that ranges in price from £5 on the first Practice Day to £25 for Championship Days.

This year sees The Open celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Kids Go Free initiative, which allows children under the age of 16 free admission to the Championship when accompanied by an adult. More than 300,000 children have experienced The Open for free since the programme was first introduced at Royal Troon in 1997.

Tickets for The Open are currently available at early season pricing, with prices set to rise after 31 May.

Spectators can register their interest now at www.TheOpen.com/camping with bookings to be taken from early May.

NEW STARTERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE OPEN

 The R and A has appointed two new starters for The Open, David Lancaster and Matt Corker, who will announce the players on the first tee at The 145^TH Open at Royal Troon.

David Lancaster will become The Open’s official starter, announcing the world’s best players as they begin their rounds on the historic Ayrshire links. Matt Corker will provide support during the several hours that Lancaster sends players off on each of the Championship days.

They will replace Ivor Robson, who retired at The 144^TH Open last year at St Andrews after serving as official starter for more than 40 years.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to become the official starter,” said Lancaster. “The Open is one of the most prestigious events in world sport and I have long been inspired by its heritage and the tremendous performances of the golfing greats over the years. Matt and I are very much looking forward to playing a part in history by introducing the players on the first tee.”

Born in 1957 in Lancashire, Lancaster served in the Royal Navy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He left in 1989 to establish his own company, which specialises in coaching individuals and corporations in the art of giving high impact presentations. A golfer for more than 30 years, Lancaster is a member at Cumberwell Park Golf Club near Bath.

Corker was born in 1953 in Hampshire. In 1974 he was selected to join the Royal Hong Kong police and went on to become Superintendent during a 22-year career. Returning to the UK in 1997, Matt joined Lancaster’s company as an associate.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said, “David and Matt have a wealth of experience in presenting to audiences of all sizes and we are delighted that they will be announcing the players on the first tee, beginning this year at Royal Troon.

“We were looking for starters who would be comfortable performing in front of both the thousands of spectators on site and the millions around the world watching at home. David and Matt were recommended to us for their expertise in this field and when we met it became clear that they would be an excellent fit for this role.”

The Open returns to Royal Troon for the ninth time this summer from 10-17 July. Zach Johnson will look to defend the title he won in a play-off over Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman at St Andrews in 2015 and become the seventh American in succession to lift the Claret Jug at Royal Troon.