Fans saw Ian Woosnam find his way into the Open Practice photos from Sandwich

Fans who witnessed Ian Woosnam's spectacular route into the tournament via a sudden-death play-off were furious at the fee introduced for a private road leading to the course.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, organisers of the Open, expressed their disappointment at the Sandwich Bay Residents Association, to which they had already paid �25,000.

And Prince's club director Bill Howie labelled the group's action's "absolutely appalling."

"My concern is that this should be a festival of golf and they are spoiling it because they are greedy," Howie added.

We're very disappointed they deemed it necessary to charge Open secretary David Hill Sandwich Bites: News round-up

"The R&A have paid them handsomely for allowing vehicles to use their road and it's an outrage. They're using the road as a ransom strip.

"If the Open does not return the Sandwich Bay residents should be held responsible.

"We'd been telling people that access to Prince's would be free and I've had to speak to a number of very angry spectators.

"There's no need for the residents to make a charge. They have shown themselves in a very bad light and it's extremely embarrassing for the whole area."

Woosnam secures Open spot

A �5 toll normally operates on the coastal road between Sandwich and Deal, but the charge was moved onto the private road leading to Prince's with the fee doubled.

"We were caught on the hop by this," admitted Open championship secretary David Hill, who had to phone Moscow to speak to Michelle Parnell, secretary of the residents' association.

"We're very disappointed that they deemed it necessary to charge. In addition to the �25,000 contribution we made to them we also gave �15,000 to the Dover District Council for upgrading of the ancient highway."