By Geoff Barnes

THE Open Golf Championship could act as a catalyst for the creation of a world-class golf resort in Hoylake, complete with two linked courses and construction of a landmark five-star hotel, councillors have been told.

Consultants, retained following completion of the Hoylake/West Kirby regeneration master plan, insist that the venture must be pitched at the top end of the market if it is to rival complexes such as Gleneagles in Scotland and Celtic Manor in Wales.

Key requirements, according to consultancy firm Jones Lang LaSalle include a 250-bed hotel with restaurant, health, leisure, conference and spa facilities; up to a further 36 holes of golf at two nearby courses (including a new high-quality complex with significant water features); and new outdoor recreational facilities including sailing, fishing and horse-riding.

Such developments, according to a report to next week's meeting of Wirral economic regeneration and planning strategy select committee, would bring a major £70m investment to Hoylake and West Kirby and contribute to the area's regeneration. It would also boost tourism spending and create a variety of economic spin-offs, including around 225 direct jobs initially.

It would also offer the opportunity to regularly attract a variety of major golf competitions.

The concept of a golf resort in Hoylake is strongly supported by the North West Development Agency and the Mersey Partnership.

In a report to the committee Wirral's deputy chief executive Jim Wilkie said: "The potential development of a world-class golf resort of regional and national importance could have very major positive benefits for Wirral, not least economically and in terms of transformational regeneration."

But he warned: "It is essential to understand that there is no guarantee of success in pursuing this objective. There are onerous challenges to be met and resolved."

Mr Wilkie pointed out to councillors that there were no top-of-the-range golf resorts in the region and that interest has been expressed in the concept from golf resort/hotel operators. An active interest had also been shown by developers and the sub-region of Merseyside had excellent access, was served by a first-class motorway network and was linked to two airports.

He further disclosed: "The links course offer in the North West is particularly strong with three Open Championship venues - Royal Liverpool, Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham and St Anne's ensuring the most regular regional Open venue presence in England. Merseyside also has a strong history for quality sporting offer."

The report also outlines possible pitfalls - securing Green Belt approval and convincing the market place of the viability of the proposal among them.