Olympic Torch and Claret Jug meet at Royal Lytham

The Olympic Torch was burning bright at Royal Lytham & St Annes on 23 June. It was an addition to the ‘Road To The Open’ project in the build-up to The Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes in July (19-22 July).

The crowd assembled in the early hours to capture a look at The Open Championship’s Claret Jug – brought by Open Championship organisers The R&A to the day.

Golf Foundation North West Regional Development Officer Andy Leigh visited the club where 110 local children from St Thomas’s School had been invited to view the event.

This team is supporting the ‘Town Tour’ and ‘Beach Tour’ events which aim to deliver golf activities in areas across Lancashire and expose golf to thousands of people, with events held in Blackpool, Preston, Fleetwood, Blackburn, Morecambe and other locations.

The Golf Foundation’s Andy Leigh said: “All the young boys and girls from St Thomas’s School had a fantastic time and were clearly excited to learn about the Olympic Torch and golf’s Claret Jug. We will now make sure that these children receive more opportunities to try golf.”

Andy has been working with England Golf Development Officer for the region Melanie Flude, and PGA Regional Coaching Development Officer Danielle Wilkinson, as this project is part of the England Golf Partnership's growing Get into golf campaign, encouraging new and returning players (www.getintogolf.org).

The Open Championship will be preceded by four practice days from the 15-18 July. All juniors (under 16 years of age on 15 July 2012) who are accompanied by an adult will be admited free of charge.