Rounds are being sunk at Maloney’s bar as the Cocktail Golf Open swings into action.

While some clowns brave the rain at Royal Birkdale to watch grown men hit a wee white ball around a field with a stick, the real action is taking place at the Scarisbrick Hotel bar with a jug of claret up for grabs. Participants have to consume 36 drinks, all of which have to be signed off by a member of the bar staff by Sunday, July 20.

If you are up here for the golf, you may be interested in this post about nearby pubs, and this post about the best pubs in Southport.

The Southport Brewery’s Hole in One ale is selling well and I’d recommend anything from that excellent beer supplier. The man behind Rainhill’s George Wright Brewery lives in the town so supplies locally and is always recommended. As is the mighty Cain’s of Liverpool.

UPDATE: The bar allowed teams to compete in the end. The Claret jug was, suitably, won by a team from the Royal and Ancient (golf’s ruling body).

Following my post about the difficulty in tracking down a Bloody Mary, I finally secured one at Maloney’s bar in the Scarisbrick Hotel.

I’ve undervalued Maloney’s in the past, tending to tip up there worse for wear in the early hours when all watering holes look the same.

My barman not only made me a first-class Bloody Mary, even letting me add my own dashes of Lea and Perrins, he did all the bottle throwing and glass juggling that marks out a true expert behind the bar.

Meanwhile, I met up with the lads, enjoyed a tour of the bars and clubs, including a return to the Wellington were things were rocking brilliantly, before ending up in the Underground.

There I was forced by a charming Polish prince to drink Jagerbombs, which consist of a small glass of energy drink (possibly Red Bull?) into which is placed a glass containing a shot of Jagermeister. I had several of these.

On leaving the club, I attempted to gain entry into the Baron’s but was barred by night watchman Mr Macdonald in a very polite and professional manner.

I was feeling very down in the mouth about the insult to my honour until I travelled home in a taxi and realised, to my astonishment, that it was after 3am and I was stinko.

The Scarisbrick Hotel on Lord Street is hoping to attract rich visitors to Southport during the Open golf by offering eight varieties of pink and white champagne and cognacs costing up to £55 a shot.

“The Louis XIII de Remy Martin cognac is our most expensive spirit at £55 – and that’s for a single,” the hotel’s wine expert Jon Andrade said.  “It is very smooth, whereas a basic brandy would be very harsh on your throat.”

The cognac – which is available from the Baron’s Bar, Maloney’sand the hotel’s other bars — is made from grapes from the Grande Champagne region of France. It is blended from eaux de vie then aged in barrels that are several hundred years old.

Jon has also secured supplies of Laurent-Perrier Rose, of which there is a worldwide shortage. Champagne prices range up to £105 for a bottle of Dom Perignon 1996. Jon also recommends New Zealand’s Esk Valley for wine lovers wanting to try something new.

For those with less expensive tastes and wallets, my list of Southport pubs for golf fans may prove valuable.