Friday, July 16th, 2010 
michael
Royal and Ancient extends BBC Open deal
World's oldest professional tournament to remain free-to-air until 2016
The Open Championship will be broadcast on terrestrial television and radio until 2016 after the R&A and BBC agreed a new five-year deal.
The news, which was announced during Open week at St Andrews, will please those believe the Open Championship should remain a free-to-air broadcast.
R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said he was pleased with the arrangement. "It's a five-year arrangement covering The Open Championship and home Walker Cup matches and we're delighted to be able to bring the championship on free-to-air television to as large as possible an audience."
He added: "The R&A has enjoyed a special relationship with the BBC for more than 50 years. On the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of The Open Championship, we are very pleased to have ensured the continuation of that relationship."
During the R&A's traditional Wednesday press conference on the eve of the Championship, Dawson was asked if the R&A were "sacrificing" a large financial windfall by remaining with the BBC. "If you're asking me would we get more money from a satellite broadcaster, I think the general trend in sports is that would be the case, yes.
"We all know the financial pressures that the BBC is under, but I'm very pleased we've been able to come to a commercially satisfactory settlement while at the same time bringing the championship to its widest audience.
"When you're spending a large amount of the commercial success in the Open in developing the game, it's hardly consistent, is it, to then show the Open to a restricted audience?"
The Open is being broadcast in high definition for the first time this week. Dawson also said that the new BBC deal also contains clauses relating to further developments in technology, such as 3D.
"Without being able to predict exactly what those technologies will be, we have covered the point in general terms," Dawson added. "We're satisfied that the BBC are committed to showing the Open to best effect.
"On 3D, all we're going to be doing there is watching developments in that market. I personally doubt that you're going to see general coverage of events in 3D in that time scale, but I might be wrong. It's not a big priority for us."
Let us know what you think of the BBC's coverage this week. You can reach us at the usual address: letters@bunkered.co.uk
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Murrayshall Golf Club
The worst kept secret in golf is finally out. Tiger Woods will play in this year’s Ryder Cup, captain Corey Pavin having elected to give the embattled 14-time major winner one of his four wild cards.
No great surprise there. As poor a season as he has had by his own high standards, compared to the rest of the guys ... 
