A full range of NEW hospitality packages is available for the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, with options that cater from a handful of people up to very large groups. These range from the Open Sportsman package, which includes entry tickets and public catering vouchers for your guests, through to top-end services including private chalets, the Open Seafood and Champagne package and the Open Hotel package, in which all catering is provided in restaurant of the five-star Turnberry Hotel which overlooks the spectacular Ailsa Course.

For details of hospitality packages, please visit the official Open Golf hospitality website. Alternatively, you can call +44 (0) 844 3710883 or email Officialhospitality@opengolf.com.

By Road

Strathclyde Police advise you to follow the specific ‘Open’ signs provided by The AA. The suggested routes are as follows:

• Travelling from the north: Follow the M77 and thereafter the A77.
• Travelling from the east: Follow the M8 and exit and junction 22 to the M77 and thereafter the A77.
• Travelling from the south: Follow the M6 to the M74, exit at junction 12 and follow the A70 west to the A77.

Traffic reports will be broadcast on local and national radio and full details of frequencies will be indicated on designated routes.

Drivers who fail to follow these directions or who use alternative routes are liable to encounter delays.

Parking

Parking will be available at Turnberry. Weekly Car Parking Labels are available at a cost of £45.00. Weekly labels are only available in advance from The R&A and are subject to availability.

Daily car parking, payable on arrival, will cost £5.00 from Sunday 12 July to Tuesday 14 July and £10.00 from Wednesday 15 July to Sunday 19 July.

Daily coach parking, payable on arrival only, will cost £30.00.

Please contact The Open Ticket Office for enquiries about disabled car parking facilities.

By Rail

First ScotRail’s Golflink provides a convenient way to travel to the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry from Wednesday 15 July to Sunday 19 July inclusive.

A Golflink ticket combines rail travel to Girvan and a bus link to the course for the one inclusive price. Golflink tickets are available from First ScotRail stations and can be purchased from 1 May 2009. An enhanced rail service will be provided.

For further information about train times and ticket prices closer to the event, call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or visit www.firstscotrail.com.

By Air

Turnberry is served by Glasgow Airport (approximately 52 miles) and Glasgow Prestwick Airport (approximately 20 miles).

The R&A has appointed Helimates (UK) Ltd as Official Helipad Operator. For further information call 07890 026682, 07941 443885 or email helimates@tiscali.co.uk.

Gate opening times

• Sunday 12 July — 9 a.m.
• Monday 13 July-Wednesday 15 July — 7 a.m.
• Thursday 16 July-Friday 17 July — 6.15 a.m.
• Saturday 18 July — 7 a.m.
• Sunday 19 July — 7 a.m.

Play Starting Times

• Practice days — Players will practise throughout the day. Information will be posted on this website and displayed on boards at the site.
• Thursday 16 July — First group: 6.30 a.m. Final group: 4.21 p.m.
• Friday 17 July — First group: 6.30 a.m. Final group: 4.21 p.m.
• Saturday 18 July — First group: 8.30 a.m. (approx). Final group: 2.30 p.m.
• Sunday 19 July — First group: 8.30 a.m. (approx). Final group: 2.30 p.m.

Official Programmes
Programmes may be purchased from kiosks at the Championship. In addition, they will be available by post from Friday 10 July 2009. Call 0808 100 7377 with your credit or debit card details or order online from the Open Golf Shop website at www.opengolfshop.com or from www.pplsport.com.

Information Centre
The Championship Information Centre, situated within the Tented Village, can offer assistance with travel and general enquiries, including information about The Open 2010 at St Andrews.

Grandstands, scoreboards and screens
Approximately 15,000 seats are located around the course and practice ground. Please note that smoking or drinking alcohol is not permitted on grandstands. Scoreboards throughout the course and in the Tented Village will keep spectators fully informed, and giant screens will be set up in the Tented Village showing the action.

Access to the course
Spectators can move freely around the golf course but please stay outside the ropes. Controlled crossing points, which are clearly marked by yellow signposts, should be used when crossing fairways.

Safety
Please be reminded that under wet conditions the ground may become slippery and appropriate footwear should be worn. Spectators should wear sun protection and drink plenty of fluids in hot and sunny conditions.

Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, it may be necessary to evacuate the grandstands. Please observe the instructions of marshals.

Catering facilities
There are many licensed catering facililties throughout the entire site, both on course and within the Tented Village.

Mobile Phones
Mobile phones can distract players and will not be permitted within the paygates. Please do not bring your phone to the course.

Cameras
Cameras are not permitted on Championship days.

Step Ladders
Step ladders or similar are not permitted within the paygates and should not be brought to the course.

Pets
No pets are allowed at the course and we respectfully suggest that you do not leave your pet in the car.

Junior Golf Tent
Free golf lessons from PGA professionals will be available for those aged under 16.

Autographs
To help create a more orderly environment for those seeking autographs and to assist players, one specific area has been designated for signing autographs. Spectators should not ask players for autographs outwith this area.

Left Luggage Facilities
There will be several complimentary left luggage facilities located throughout the Tented Village, operated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that security bag searches may be in operation.

Facilities for the Disabled
Viewing facilities have been set aside at a number of greens for those in wheelchairs and disabled toilets with ramps are located as near as possible to these areas. Please contact The R&A Ticket Office (01334 460000) for further information.

Medical and First Aid
Full medical and first aid facilities will be available at several points around the course and in the Tented Village.

Creche Facility
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide this facility for children of the general public given the size of the expected crowd.

Banking Services
The Royal Bank of Scotland, Patron of The Open Championship, will be providing comprehensive banking service, including Cashline (ATM) facilities. At the Championship they make no charge for cashing personal cheques of customers of other UK banks when the cheque is supported by an appropriate Cheque Guarantee Card.

Binoculars
Nikon is a Patron of The Open Championship and a full range of binoculars is available for sale or hire from the Nikon Marquee in the Tented Village.

Official Merchandise
The Pavilion will provide a comprehensive range including menswear, ladieswear, outerwear, headwear, golf accessories and kidswear. All products are officially approved and will carry The Open 2009 logo. Bag drop, onward shipping and VAT refund facilities will be available.

Hotels and tourist information
For hotel accommodation, bed and breakfast accommodation and tourist information, please contact VisitScotland:
Address: 15 Skye Road, Prestwick, KA9 2TA
Tel: 0845 2255 121
Email: info@ayrshire-arran.com
Website: www.ayrshire-arran.com

Private accommodation
For those seeking private accommodation by way of renting houses, please contact the official agents:
CKD Galbraith
Address: 7 Killoch Place, Ayr, KA7 2EA
Tel: 01292 268181 Fax: 01292 292300
Email: aileen.gemmell@ckdgalbraith.co.uk
Website: www.golfopen2009.com

Patrons of The Open Championship

The six Patrons of The Open Championship are as follows:

At The Open Championship, the only pursuit is perfection. At Lexus, we share these values and express them through our drive to develop the finest products and the most satisfying ownership experience. Lexus is proud to be a Patron and Official Car Supplier to The Open Championship. www.lexus-europe.com - [external link]

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MMC is the premier global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in risk, strategy and human capital. Through our market leading brands, Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Kroll, Mercer and Oliver Wyman, over 55,000 colleagues in 100 countries help clients identify, plan and respond to critical business issues and risks. www.mmc.com - [external link]

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Nikon Corporation, founded in 1917, secured its place as a pioneer of optical glass technology in Japan. With continued growth and expertise, Nikon now offers a diverse range of products from its world-renowned consumer and professional photographic equipment to industrial precision equipment.

Nikon UK distributes a wide range of imaging products from consumer to professional digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX compact digital cameras; Coolscan digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. For more information on Nikon products visit www.nikon.co.uk http://www.nikon.co.uk/ - [external link]

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Inaugurated in 1860, The Open is golf’s most venerable major championship and the honour of raising the Claret Jug attracts the widest international field of the four majors. Rolex is proud to be a Patron of The Open Championship and recognises the precision, skill and excellence required to be a champion — values shared by Rolex. www.rolex.com - [external link]

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The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, founded in 1727, is one of Europe’s leading financial services groups. By market capitalisation it is the second largest bank in Europe and the UK and currently ranks fifth in the world.

The Royal Bank of Scotland’s involvement with the R&A and The Open Championship goes back over a century. www.rbssport.com - [external link]

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Unisys has supplied scoring results for The Open Championship since 1981 where we offered our first computer-driven TV graphics service. This enabled world-wide TV audiences to get “live” stats.

Approximately 200 terminals and printers are linked using a wireless network, to support the scoring operation, media centre, TV and hospitality units.

Imagine It: Done

Read the transcript of the webchat about The Open scoring - [external link]

http://www.unisys.com/common/TheOpen/ - [external link]

The venues for the Open have been decided up until 2012:

2009 - Turnberry, 16-19 July

2010 - St Andrews, 15-18 July

2011 - Royal St George’s, 14-17 July

2012 - Royal Lytham & St Annes, 19-22 July