SOUTHPORT SET FOR A GREAT YEAR

Southport set for incredible 2013 with legendary golfers, adrenaline junkies and popular cricketers coming to town

SOME of the world’s greatest golfers will be gracing Southport this year as part of an exciting line up of sports events in the resort.
From the majestic swing of Greg Norman to the explosive bowling of Glen Chapple, a feast of high quality action is on offer.
And with hundreds of adrenaline junkies preparing to scramble along the coast in XtremeSTORM, 2013 will be a great year to be a spectator.
Golf legends including Tom Watson and Mark O’Meara will be going for glory as Royal Birkdale hosts the 2013 Senior Open. From July 25-28 thousands will visit Southport to watch as the drama unfolds on the world-famous course.
Bed and breakfast owners will also be looking forward to August 28, when Lancashire County Cricket Club return to town. Southport and Birkdale’s Trafalgar Road ground will see the 2011 domestic champions host Hampshire in their LV County Championship Division Two clash.
Huge crowds watched on when Lancashire played here Nottinghamshire in 2011, and S&B chairman Tony Elwood is confident the event will be a boost for the town.
Looking forward to the event, Mr Elwood said: “If we go off the attendance from last time and it does go to four days you are talking about 10,000 people.
“That’s a lot of people coming into town, using the local economy and benefiting the retailers and shops.”
As well as professional sports stars coming to town, April 20/21 will see enthusiastic fitness fans visit the town in XtremeSTORM. The 18km assault course – with 35 extreme obstacles – will see entrants clambering over cargo nets on the Pier. Excited, race director Jonathan Cunningham revealed his team has had 4,000 queries about the event so far.
He said: “Clearly last year’s summer of sporting success has been a major factor in the interest coming from entrants, but local residents, businesses and media have also been fantastic in their response to us.”
On top of these great events, Southport also has its fantastic annual shows lined up. With the Flower Show on August 15-18, the Air Show on September 14-15 and the Musical Fireworks Championships on October 4-6, there truly is something for everyone here in 2013.