Northern Ireland

Key facts and figures of The Open at Royal Portrush

Around 14,000 grandstand seats will be located around the course. Picture by Hugh Russell
Around 14,000 grandstand seats will be located around the course. Picture by Hugh Russell Around 14,000 grandstand seats will be located around the course. Picture by Hugh Russell

YEARS of planning goes into organising and hosting The Open.

The game's ruling body, the R&A and Royal Portrush Golf Club have ploughed thousands of pounds and man-hours into staging the tournament.

Here are some key facts and figures:

:: Over 190,000 spectators and visitors from across the world

:: Estimated £80 million economic benefit

:: 14 grandstands

Work continues at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell
Work continues at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell Work continues at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell

:: 13,000 grandstand seats with around 4,000 located at the 18th hole

:: 6,000 permanent and temporary staff working at the event

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:: 12,000 marshals, who are volunteers

:: 700 journalists/media from all over the world

:: 1,700 TV people

Work get on the way at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open Picture by Hugh Russell.
Work get on the way at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open Picture by Hugh Russell. Work get on the way at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open Picture by Hugh Russell.

:: Broadcast coverage in over 150 countries

:: 500 televisions are dotted around the site

:: 31,000 sq metres of tentage

:: 42km of fibre optic

:: 3,500 sprinklers across the course

:: 2 miles of tarmac roads around the course

Work continues at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell
Work continues at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell Work continues at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell

:: 300 children litter picking

While the course will be the main focus of interest, one particular building worth keeping an eye on will be the players facility.

Course manager Graeme Beatt said is expected to be a luxurious location.

"It's on the grass area close to the clubhouse," he said.

"You're going to have a two-tier building, where the players will have a creche, restaurant, gym, cinema I think, so their family can hang around.

Work continues at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell
Work continues at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell Work continues at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell

"The corporate area, over by the 18th is high-end, it's the fine dining where all the sponsors will have areas.

"There will more walking platforms about the place too, to either walk straight along or stop and watch the golf.

"They're saying the trend is more people will follow rounds and walk the course rather than just plonking themselves down."