Open Championship Golf Tournament to return to Kent in 2011

The Royal and Ancient has confirmed Royal St George's in Sandwich, Kent as the venue for the 2011 Open Championship - one of Golf's most prestigious competitions. The last time the Open was held at Royal St George's in 2003, when the tournament was won by American Ben Curtis, proved to be a major boost to local tourism and hotels across Kent including Folkestone & Hythe.

The Open has been staged 13 times at the Royal St George's course. The first time was in 1894, which was also the first time the Open was played south of the Scottish border.

Folkestone Town Council's Lib Dem Group Leader Tim Prater commented:

"it's great to see events like the Open, which provide a real boost to East Kent now confirmed to return. 2011 will now see both the Open and the second Folkestone Triennial. There should be big benefits to our local economy, and I'm sure local businesses will step up to help meet the demand."