100,000 to descend on Irish Open

Published Thursday, 10 May 2012

Tickets for the Irish Open are being snapped up at unprecedented levels as up to 100,000 golf fans are expected to descend on Royal Portrush in June.

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Full house for the Open
Interview : James Finnegan

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Welcoming the news, Tourism Minister Arlene Foster echoed the call from tournament organisers, the European Tour, for people to buy their tickets early.

"Such is the interest in the Irish Open, that the European Tour believes the weekend could be a sell-out," she said.

"This is fantastic news as increased ticket sales will result in increased revenue. The Northern Ireland Executive has given a commitment to ensure that the Irish Open at Portrush will be a success and today's news proves we are on track to achieve just that."

Ms Foster continued: "Ticket sales are only one part of this success story. Golf visitors tend to spend more money than other tourists which will give a major boost to the local economy.

"We are confident that it will be one of the best-attended European Tour events ever and that the Executive will reap a rich return on its investment in the event."

Securing some of the world's top golfers - including local stars Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke - has ensured the Irish Open will be keenly followed by golf fans across the world.

The Minister added: "The recent announcement that Keegan Bradley, the reigning US PGA Championship winner, is playing will bring even more benefits, with increased interest from the USA who will be able to watch the Open in their homes.

"Just as Titanic Belfast provided us with the opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to the world, the Irish Open will ensure that the spotlight continues to be shone on our place for all the right reasons."

Extra transport for the tournament will also be organised, with dedicated bus and rail services provided as well as five park and ride car parks set up to cope with the numbers expected to be travelling to Portrush.

Comments

2 Comments

David in Belfast wrote (371 days ago):

I've solved the sponsorship problem, call the competition the Red Coat Irish Open.....then get the red coat traffic wardens who seem to think they are elected MLA's to go round dishing out ninety quid tickets to everyone whomwill just PARK wherever they choose.

Barney in Tyrone wrote (373 days ago):

In the current economic climate where people are struggling to eat or heat their homes due to slashes in pay cuts,disabled people having their benefits removed,prostrate cancer patients not getting drugs as they are too expensive to extend their lives by a few months and ease the patients pain.It seems that a golf tournament on the well heeled North Coast is more important than giving a family a few more months with their father,brother,son,granda. etc.I have no problem with hosting such an event if you are in an economic position to do so.Anyone with any kind of business acumen would have better sense than to proceed with such an event without an adequate sponsor from the private sector.Once again this foolhardy and frivolous executive cannot see the real hardship in the real world OR are they simply choosing to ignore it.Get the country in order before you go off gallavanting around a golf course and the ordinary man on the street who is already struggling paying for it.