A master-plan is in full swing to make sure the Open Golf in Sandwich in 2011 will be a resounding success.

The world will be watching when the tournament takes place at Royal St George’s and it is widely regarded as the largest single annual sporting event in the UK.

A package of proposals has been set up by the district council and its cabinet meets on January 12 to vote on the recommendations.

Tim Ingleton, the council’s head of regeneration, said: “The attendance over the week of the Open in Sandwich in 2003 was 183,000, placing it within the top 10 most successful Opens of all time.

“After the event a study showed there was a direct economic impact of £17.6 million to the east Kent area, with a total economic impact of £48 million.”

The council’s project team is aiming to make sure the huge increase in traffic runs smoothly in the Sandwich area.

It is also looking at the need for advance marketing of the area, especially at the Open events in the run-up to the 2011 at Royal St George’s, as well as the need for all golf courses in the area to work together so a package can be drawn together for golf tourism.

The council aims to put aside £100,000 for the project in the 2008/09 budget, with more cash promised in the following two annual accounts.