Golf: Dawson sorry at shock exit of Open director

OPEN Championship bosses are confident this year's event will run smoothly despite the shock retiral of the man who has been in charge for the last 32 years.

As revealed in The Scotsman, David Hill, the R&A's director of championships, stepped down from the role with immediate effect at the beginning of March, leaving the St Andrews-based organisation minus his services with this year's event looming.

Speaking yesterday for the first time about Hill's departure, R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said: "We are obviously sorry to lose David after he had been involved for over 30 years. The loss of someone with his experience is something we have to deal with.

"David had groomed some very good people, the likes of Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Michael Wells, Robin Bell and Rhodri Price, for example. We are confident that the knowledge David has passed on and their experience will see us through."

Jim McArthur, chairman of the R&A's championship committee, added: "After 32 years, David decided to retire and we thank him for his immense contribution, as well as wishing him well."

The members of Hill's Open team are currently reporting to Dawson, who revealed he will be waiting until the autumn, after the last of the events the R&A run is held, before looking at the options in terms of a new director of championships.

Cole-Hamilton and Wells shared the duties normally filled by Hill at yesterday's annual press briefing ahead of the event on 14-17 July at Royal St George's, revealing some good news for spectators making the journey to Kent, as well as an innovative addition to the tented village.

On the four championship days, two high-speed trains per hour will transport fans from St Pancras down to Sandwich, meaning people can get from central London to the course in just 95 minutes.

The 2003 Open in Kent attracted a total attendance for the week of 182,500, with a similar figure expected this year.

"Whenever The Open comes to Royal St George's, we welcome a large number of enthusiastic spectators from London and the surrounding area," said Dawson.

"This new service brings The Open closer to the capital than ever before, and we hope that it will encourage more people to enjoy a day at golf's oldest major."

As part of an investment in the event, the tented village at Royal St George's will house a new golf zone.

Covering an area equivalent to almost five tennis courts, the interactive facility will include a full-scale replica of the Road Hole bunker at St Andrews, simulators, and a heritage section that will allow visitors to swing with old clubs and new, and to see how the manufacture of clubs has changed across the last 300 years.

"I think we are seeing more and more of these facilities around the world. Fans are looking for things like this these days, especially the younger ones. It is vitally important that we keep the championship relevant and up-to-date, as well as maintaining the best traditions," said Dawson.

Entries for this year have been "strong", with prize money - which was 4.8 million in 2010, with 850,000 going to the winner - still to be decided.