Royal Portrush to host Irish Open

Published Thursday, 05 January 2012

It is widely expected that Royal Portrush will be confirmed as the 2012 host of the Irish Open.

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Open potential
Analysis

An official announcement is expected to be made on Friday about the tournament, which will be held between the 28 June and 1 July.

It would be the first time the competition has been played at Royal Portrush, which is among the highest rated courses in the UK and Ireland, since 1947.

The opportunity to play on a links style course, and the timing of the tournament, in a prime slot just three weeks before the Open Championship gets underway at Royal Lytham & St. Anne's, means that more of the world's best players are likely to turn up on the north Antrim coast.

Fantastic news on the Irish Open 2012 coming to Royal Portrush. Always been a dream of mine to play a top event in my home town.
Graeme McDowell on Twitter (@Graeme_McDowell)

Huge crowds would be expected to turn out to watch Northern Ireland's golfing stars who have dominated the sport recently, winning three major tournaments in a period of 13 months, leading the region to be nicknamed 'the golf capital of the world'.

In July 2011, Dungannon man Darren Clarke won his first title at The Open, just months after Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell claimed back to back US Open wins.

Last year, the Executive said it would provide substantial financial backing for the tournament.

Golf tourists spend an average of £400 a day, and it is hoped holding the Irish Open in Northern Ireland would provide a boost of around £80m to the tourism economy in the region.

Royal Portrush will be awesome for the Irish Open this year...it's as good a test as we play anywhere! Brilliant news. Big crowds please!!
Darren Clarke on Twitter (@DarrenClarke60)

Hosting the Irish Open will be seen as a significant opportunity for Royal Portrush to showcase Northern Ireland's capability to host the Open Championship, one of golf's four major tournaments.

Previously it had been thought highly unlikely that Northern Ireland would be in the running to host the Open Championship, however, with the success of the local players in recent times, the case may become overwhelming to bring the biggest tournament in the world here.

The number of hotel rooms available on the north coast to tournament organisers is thought to be a serious stumbing block for bringing the Open Championship to Northern Ireland.

Each May, huge crowds flock to the North West 200 week of motorcycling races, seemingly with no hindrance from the supposed lack of accommodation.

Comments

8 Comments

Michael O''Shea in Ardglass, Co. Down wrote (105 days ago):

Three major wins by Northern IOrish golfers, plus a great deal of pressure and quick decisions by Irishgolf associations - and the Irish Open will be played over a Northern Irish Course for the first time since 1953. As a teenager I was there, watching the action. Marvellous stuff! Now in my 80th year I cannot travel; to Portrush. Even worse: because I cannot receive RTE or Sky I will not be able to watch on TV. People throughout the world will be asble to watch, but thousands of golfers in Northeren Ireland will not be able to do so. A diabolical insult to those who love the game. Can the NI Minister for Sport, or our First and Deputy first Minsters not do anything about this?

Frosty in Here wrote (138 days ago):

Good to see the area getting a boost. Hopefully it'll mean they give Portrush a lick of paint. Golf tourists spend £400 a day? That's a lot of Tshirts, drink and drugs. Not much else to spend it on in the Port. Will Coleraine Borough Council hold an event to welcome the visitors? A bouncy castle, few fireworks, car boot sale and half-price crazy golf at the recreation grounds?

sean in donegal wrote (140 days ago):

Yes Charles,they are not so called glamorous but indeed are glamorous and it will be a breath of fresh air to see them all.Portrush has hosted The Senior British Open and while it may not just have the same glamour it was indeed a Major tournament and very professionally organised.There are many hotels in the Derry area and Roe Park will cater for many. While you are entitled to your opinion why not try to be a little more positive.Oh by the way if Westwood Donald etc are struggling for accomodation they can have my mobile home,free of charge.

Bill in Belfast wrote (140 days ago):

In answer to Charles' concern about where the competitors will stay below, I would suggest that he has never been to the Open before, as Portrush has as many facilities close to it as Sandwich, Turnberry or Carnoustie. Belfast has 10's of thousands of hotel rooms available, and is only 60 minutes away. Also, the more lucrative locals may take the oportunity to hire out their houses, as during open week a 4 bedroom house can be rented for £10,000 or more.

charles in lisbellaw wrote (140 days ago):

Where are all these glamorous so called "golf stars" going to stay during the big competition in Portrush ?. Are they going to book into caravans, bring their own tents, squeeze into wee B & B's or will the tumbledown burned out hotel shell in the town centre be made ready in time ?. These are their options if they wish to reside locally during the tournament.

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