IT was wet and windy and there was no fairytale win for any of the Irish contenders, but the Irish Open at Royal County Down was last night hailed a huge success.
Spectator numbers topped 100,000 over the course of the tournament and the world's media descended on Newcastle to cover the event.
Antonia Beggs - championship director of the European Tour - told the Irish News that global coverage against the spectacular backdrop of the Mournes should provide a huge boost to tourism.
I walked the first couple of holes yesterday when the sun was shining and the course is phenomenal and the backdrop is just breathtaking, she said.
There will definitely be positive benefits because of the television pictures from this part of Northern Ireland that have been shown all over the world.
The tournament has been a sell-out and people came out in their droves despite the terrible weather. Im thrilled that theyve come out and really embraced the event.
Its a really difficult golf course and it was always going to be an uncertain winner because of how difficult it is and the winner should be seriously revered.
World number one and local hero Rory McIlroy disappointingly failed to make the cut for the final rounds for the third time in a row, and none of the six Irish challengers who did make it through to the weekend Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Shane Lowry and Simon Thornton were in real contention yesterday.
McGinley was forced to withdraw with a back injury, as Dane Soren Kjeldsen secured his fourth European Tour success by winning a tense play-off.
I would have loved an Irish winner for all the fans, said Ms Beggs.
Although he disappointed on the fairways, McIlroy, whose charity hosted the event, said it had been a "memorable" week.
"I am very proud to be associated with what has been an incredible event," he said.
"To bring this tournament to Northern Ireland and see the amount of people who came out to support the event and the foundation as well was brilliant."
Ms Beggs said the Holywood man, whose charity hosted the tournament, deserved a lot of credit for making the event a success.
He genuinely believes in golf in Ireland and in bringing something back and thats exactly what hes done. Weve been thrilled to able facilitate that and its been wonderful working with him.
It is hoped that the prestigious Open Championship could be held at Royal Portrush in 2019, and some have speculated that Royal County Down could be a potential future venue too.
Tourism minister Jonathan Bell last night said the Irish Open, which attracted some of the sport's biggest names, had enhanced the region's reputation.
"I can safely say Northern Ireland is well and truly on the map as a golfing destination for sports people from around the world," he said.
"With the spectacular Mountains of Mourne as a backdrop, and having appeared in countless lists of the world's best courses, Royal County Down is a wonderful advertisement for Northern Ireland and a star attraction in its own right."
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Pictures have emerged of the private suite at Royal County Down used over the weekend by world number one Rory McIlroy.
The luxurious quarters were located on the top level of a purpose-built corporate pavilion overlooking the 18th hole of the Newcastle golf course.
The private area included white leather seating, a computer games centre and a bar serving refreshments to the golfer's entourage.
Throughout the room there are pictures of the 26-year-old millionaire as well as images of some of the young people he has worked with through his charity, including Amy Uprichard who touched the heart of the golf hero when they met at the Daisy Lodge short-break centre in Newcastle which he supports.
The Irish Open was hosted by the Rory Foundation, which supports childrens charities, and McIlroy had pledged to donate any prize money ahead of the event.
