Troon colourful but quiet as town tees up for The Open

With jet-washed pavements, resurfaced roads and planters freshly painted in cobalt blue, Troon is looking its best for the world’s greatest golfers to arrive for the 152nd Open Championship.

The seaside town is teeing up for a wave of international attention and tourists, with an estimated £200m to come to the local economy, according to the council.

Players from across the world will start competing for the famous Claret Jug trophy on Thursday – including Scottish Open champion Robert MacIntyre.

But the floodgates have not yet opened – if anything the number of people out and about appears less than usual.

Locals told BBC Scotland News they are steering clear of the town to avoid crowds.

As a result, businesses are more than a little hopeful that global golf enthusiasts will come to try their goods after a slow start to the week.

“There’s certainly a buzz about the town but it’s a wee bit quieter than usual for us small businesses,” says Joanne Gilligan – owner of The Strawberry Cushion café.

“A lot of our customers have said ‘The town is going to be far too busy, I’ll see you next week.'”

But Joanne is hopeful that foot traffic will pick up – her shop windows have been painted by her workers with the famous Claret Jug trophy and golf balls.

“Everyone that’s coming to the golf will primarily watch the golf – but it’s on the other side of the town centre,” she said.

“I’ve heard restaurants are fully booked. During the day the town centre is quiet – so probably a nice time for other people to visit the town.”

In a small kiosk by the beach, employee Stephen Weddell is less positive and agrees the town is not as busy as it should be – considering that tourists are playing golf along the shore.

A shuttle bus is in operation for those heading to The Open, but Stephen says those who just want to visit the beach stay away during the tournament, particularly because parking can be scarce.

“Overall I’m lucky, I can walk to work and my friends can park in their driveways,” he says.

“But it keeps the visitors who usually visit Troon away over the summer holidays – they go to other beaches – because they expect it to be so busy.

“Long-term, maybe people who see The Open will come back, and painting buildings and things in the town is good.”

Businesses are also up against gloomy weather, with rain and clouds forecast throughout the four-day tournament.

Stephen says they aren’t expecting many more people stopping by.

“Most of the visitors stay to see the golf because everything’s inside the facility,” he says.

While the town centre is quiet, golf greens are filling up – and not just the nearby Royal Troon where the tournament is taking place.

Prestwick St Nicholas golf course has seen players from places like Japan, America and Sweden tee off.

Club captain Tony Greig, 70, will be a marshal for his club team at The Open.

“In July our visitor numbers are over double than what they would usually be,” he says.

The club is actually older than Royal Troon, where the tournament is taking place, according to Tony.

“We came out of Prestwick Golf Club where The Open began in 1860,” he says.

“We see that players want to play here.”

Nick Giaramita, 62, from Hamilton, Virginia, came to Scotland for his first time at The Open.

Standing in front of the course where he was about to tee off, he said the prevailing wind was on his side.

He says he’s rooting for fellow American Scottie Scheffler and Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy.

Back in the town, friends Jan and Aileann were out for a coffee and had opposing views on the tournament’s impact.

“I think it’s great for business and for putting Troon on the map,” Aileann said.

But Jan wasn’t too impressed, as she doesn’t care about golf at all.

“It’s selfish but I can’t park or get into the town centre,” she said – a sentiment echoed by a number of others the BBC spoke to.

Both respected the other’s view – and agreed that the freshly painted bollards and plant boxes had brought the town some new life.