HUNDREDS of volunteers from Wirral and further afield have started work to help make this year’s Open the best Wirral has ever held.

With the Championship returning to Hoylake, Wirral Council, in collaboration with the organiser of The Open, The R&A, launched a recruitment campaign for people to become involved.

Among 200 volunteers - known as 'golf ambassadors' - signed up. Their job is to welcome visitors to Hoylake and West Kirby, and provide directions and other information about the local area.

Among them were Alison Cliffe from West Kirby and sister Heather Harrison from Wigan.

Alison told the Globe: "We are attending The Open as volunteers, so it's all very new to us, but we are experienced in volunteering.

"We've done Eurovision recently, have also done 'The Giants' in Liverpool and a number of volunteer events over the years.

"I find it very exciting, it's super for the area. It will bring a lot of financial advantages to the area. The event's organisation has been fantastic, a lot of time and effort has gone into it.

"I remember the last time it was here was very exciting; there's just such a buzz about the place."

Heather added: "We've done quite a few volunteering and have not done The Open and thought, 'let's give it a whirl'. It's nice to come across and try something different."

Explaining his reasons for signing up as volunteer, Bernard Roddie from Liverpool said: "It's about giving back and helping Merseyside. My wife and I did Eurovision and it's the legacy of that.

"Without volunteers, events like this end up having to spend more money and possibly not even be able to run as safely without a highly-visible presence of people saying 'hi, welcome to Hoylake and welcome to The Open. Have a great day."

Poul Weisbkerd, from Southern Denmark, told the Globe: "I first came to Wirral in 1982, met my wife over here and am quite familiar with the area.

"I don't know that much about golf, but it's more about being a part of an event as big as The Open.

"It's the first time I've volunteered, but am only doing so because I love Hoylake. I spend my summer holidays with my family.

"I love the area."

Another volunteer, Josh from Sheffield, said: "It's really great to take part in this event. It's wonderful to welcome all the people, make sure that they are having a great time and know where they're going when they visit this event." 

Wirral Globe: Volunteer Marshalls ready for work in build-up to The Open in Hoylake on Monday (July 17) Volunteer Marshalls ready for work in build-up to The Open in Hoylake on Monday (July 17) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

Mark Camborne, Wirral Council’s Assistant Director, Neighbourhood Safety & Transport, said: "Wirral is very proud about our volunteers.

"We were the first to have, what we call 'golf ambassadors' and the R&A have picked it up, so Wirral led the way, in terms of this Open, back in 2006.

Wirral Globe: Visitors to The Open site in Hoylake on Monday (July 17) Visitors to The Open site in Hoylake on Monday (July 17) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

"Wirral, as well as Merseyside, has a fantastic tradition of having large numbers of people volunteering.

"On the back of Eurovision, the World Gymnastics and lots of other events, there is a pool of volunteers that we want to use to support the off-course activities and to meet-and-greet the hundreds of thousands of people coming into the borough; to give them some local knowledge and a friendly face.

Wirral Globe: View from bridge leading to The Open site in Hoylake on Monday (July 17) View from bridge leading to The Open site in Hoylake on Monday (July 17) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

"We've had enquiries from as far as field as Denmark and Canada about volunteering during The Open. 

"I never cease to be amazed by the numbers that have signed up to take part."