2008 British Open Tees Off at Royal Birkdale

The 2008 British Open Golf championship tees off today, with the notable absence of Tiger Woods. Whether Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, or Ernie Els will step up and fill the breach remains to be seen

The course for this year’s British Open Championship is Royal Birkdale in Lancashire and as I understand these things is in perfect condition unless you count the wind. Already the golf pundits are talking up a storm about just how exciting this year’s open should be, even without Tiger Woods.

Lancashire boasts no less than 20 of the UK’s best and most challenging courses, and is jokingly named the “Golf Coast,” of England. A major industry has sprung up around luxury golf properties in the area and visitLancashore.com has a huge list of properties available.

Perhaps the most luxurious property in the area is Knowsley Hall, the seat of the Earl of Derby (no relation, sadly). Cottages are available to rent in the 2,500 acres of rolling parkland, and there are 9 luxuriously furnished bedroom suites available in the main building. According to the Knowlsley Hall website, tours are available and the property is for hire as either a pretty spectaular film backdrop or for private functions and capable of receiving up to 200 guests.

The Knowsley Home Farm operates within Knowsley Park producing quality Aberdeen Angus beef and Suffolk cross sheep. The Estate Woodland gardens provide a valuable ecological resource which are sensitively managed to safeguard the natural flora and fauna. * chokes on coffee * and interested parties can, for the paltry sum of £20, purchase a book detailing His Lordship’s horse racing experiences with Ouija board, a famous British racing Mare. Not a best-seller in the making I feel, but all proceeds go to Racing Welfare.