Independent economic research indicates that this year’s Open Championship brought a massive £77 million boost to Kent.

The study shows an economic impact in the whole of the county of £77m of which there was £21.2m in East Kent. A total of 180,000 spectator admissions were recorded at The Open Championship this year.

The Open returned to the Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich from 10-17 July 2011.

Dover District Council and Kent County Council have welcomed the news.

Cllr Nigel Collor, Cabinet Member at Dover District Council and Chairman of the Open Golf Executive said: "The District Council is delighted that the numbers of visitors to the 2011 Open matched 2003 and that there was a substantial increase in benefit to the area this time.”

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©