I AM sure we can all agree that it was fantastic to see The 148th Open at Royal Portrush return to Northern Irish soil for the first time since 1951.
With over 251,000 spectators in attendance, generating around £80 million to the economy, it is no surprise The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews chief executive, Martin Slumbers, confirmed this year’s Open received the biggest attendance outside of St Andrews, becoming the second-highest attended Open championship of all time.
An instrumental driving force and advocate of the Open returning to Royal Portrush was Wilma Erskine, the secretary-manager of Royal Portrush for the last 35 years. In 1984, when Wilma began the job, driven and determined, female secretary-managers of golf clubs were scarce if not non-existent.
As a matter of fact, women were scarce in the golf club altogether as they were simply refused entry, and it is only within the last 10 years or so that female participation in one of the worlds most recognised sports was even considered. It is evident that this gender discrimination is still tolerated to this day as there remains numerous men-only clubs around the world. We were reminded of this discrimination and the impact it has when well-known sports journalist Clare Balding, refused to cover the Open Championship at Muirfield in 2013 because the of the Scottish club’s ban on women becoming members.
It was inspirational to see a female champion the return of the Open to Portrush and Wilma’s dedication was commendable, and much appreciated by many I am sure. There is no doubt that Northern Ireland managed to host a great Open, but I don’t know if I believe that this country is as open as we think. Are we open-minded to new ideas, new people, new culture and new ways of life? Most of all, I question our lack of openness to embracing change. Considering the gates of our government and the minds of our politicians are currently closed, it doesn’t say much in our willingness to encourage change.
We need to be open if we want to progress and strive as a country of prosperity and inclusiveness in the world. As I have said many times before, we all live here, no matter what Brexit or Stormont may present. We need a shared vision, we deserve a shared vision, but we should absolutely demand our own open Stormont. High on the agenda for business in Northern Ireland is diversity and inclusion, which is about being open to others with differences, and to understanding the real value in diversity. Business catches on quick to what is required to progress, and now it is time for our government to follow suit. Open minds and open talks would solve a lot of problems.
We need Stormont and our borders open for business. To achieve this, we need a united Northern Ireland, one where we work collectively to ensure we are delivering for all our people. Currently we are being shamefully neglected by our politicians and Westminster. I attended an event at NICVA on the implications of a no-deal Brexit. It was concluded without any doubts by NICVA, the CBI, the Congress of Unions and the Ulster Farmers Union that a no-deal Brexit will be a disaster for Northern Ireland. My front door is not going to change, the UFU members can’t go anywhere, most of us are going nowhere. We must unite against a no-deal and be open to finding our solution and then insisting on its implementation.
:: Roseann Kelly (roseann@ womeninbusinessni.com) is chief executive of Women in Business (www.womeninbusinessni.com)
