Northern Ireland

Clock counting down for the start of The Open at Royal Portrush

With the biggest sporting event ever to be staged in Ireland just a month away, Suzanne McGonagle visited Portrush to see how preparations for The Open golf are going

Royal Portrush Golf Club will host The Open next month. Pictures by Margaret McLaughlin and Hugh Russell
Royal Portrush Golf Club will host The Open next month. Pictures by Margaret McLaughlin and Hugh Russell Royal Portrush Golf Club will host The Open next month. Pictures by Margaret McLaughlin and Hugh Russell

THE clock is counting down for the start of one of the most prestigious sporting events ever to be held in Ireland.

The Open, the most historic and coveted individual prize in men’s golf, will be played out on the worldwide stage next month from the stunning fairways of Royal Portrush Golf Club.

From July 14 to 21, the north Antrim course will be at the centre of the global sporting spotlight when 156 of the game’s best golfers compete for the iconic Claret Jug.

Sports fans from throughout Ireland and further afield will descend on Portrush to see the historic return of The Open after almost 70 years.

Last staged at Royal Portrush in 1951, when Max Faulkner became Champion Golfer of the Year, the course boasts idyllic views towards the Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle and as far as the Western Isles of Scotland.

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Regarded as one of the world's finest golf courses, 190,000 people are expected through the gates to see the sport's oldest major.

This year's Open was the first ever all-ticketed event in the tournament's history with an anticipated £80 million set to be ploughed into the local economy as visitors descend on Portrush and wider north coast.

But when did the dream begin? And how did that bold ambition finally transform into reality?

The shop in construction at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell
The shop in construction at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell The shop in construction at Portrush Golf Club ahead of The Open. Picture by Hugh Russell

One of those involved from day one is Wilma Erskine, general manager of Royal Portrush. She said while many believed the Open was out of reach for Northern Ireland, Royal Portrush was bidding to restore the name of golf in the north.

"Events didn't really happen here until around 1993 when the Amateur Championship, run by the R&A, came and then we had the Senior British Open from 1995 to 1999 and back in 2004," she said.

"In order to get events you need to get friends, so at the time Arlene Foster was in charge of DETI so we weren't going very far.

"We had a personal meeting with her, she'd been doing Titanic and the Giro and saw the merits of the Irish Open - she could see the media, the economic benefits and loved the idea.

"For a relatively small investment they were getting a big return.

Royal Portrush Golf Club will host The Open next month. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Royal Portrush Golf Club will host The Open next month. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Royal Portrush Golf Club will host The Open next month. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

"She signed up for three Irish Opens and the Open was the dream."

Coupled with local golfers Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy clinching major titles at that time, the north was gradually climbing up The Open ladder.

The R&A, golf's ruling authority, had been considering a potential return to Portrush for some time and, after watching the success of the Irish Open in 2012, wheels were put in motion.

Peter Dawson, then chief executive of The R&A, and course designer Martin Ebert visited the venue to determine if it could host such a massive sporting event.

They were impressed.

Royal Portrush Golf Club's lady captain, Elizabeth McCartney. Picture by Hugh Russell
Royal Portrush Golf Club's lady captain, Elizabeth McCartney. Picture by Hugh Russell Royal Portrush Golf Club's lady captain, Elizabeth McCartney. Picture by Hugh Russell

But modifications were needed, in particular to the 17th and 18th holes to allow for a tented village during the tournament.

Ms Erskine said they also needed the support of club members.

"You have to bring people with you - here we have a private members club who like their course the way it is, so we did a lot of communicating and explaining and they got it and bought into it."

With famous golfers singing the praises of the course, in 2015, Royal Portrush was finally announced as host to The Open 2019.

"We all got together in a little room with the R&A and hey presto, here we are," she said.

The massive set-up continues at Royal Portrush ahead of The Open. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
The massive set-up continues at Royal Portrush ahead of The Open. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin The massive set-up continues at Royal Portrush ahead of The Open. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

"I think they saw Northern Ireland as being a fresh."

Ms Erskine, who is preparing to step down from her role after 35 years, said the deal means Royal Portrush will become part of The Open rota .

"It’s not just the economic benefits, this will put us on the world stage," she said.

"It's not just for the golf club, not just for Portrush, it’s for Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland.

Royal Portrush Golf Club will host The Open next month. Picture by Hugh Russell
Royal Portrush Golf Club will host The Open next month. Picture by Hugh Russell Royal Portrush Golf Club will host The Open next month. Picture by Hugh Russell

"The work they have done here means they have a plug in Open Championship - that's an investment for the future and the idea is to have three Opens within a 20-year time-frame."

Royal Portrush captain Robert Barry will take on a pivotal role on the final day of The Open, which he believes will be a "spectacle".

"I believe the captain gets to present the trophy on the Sunday to the winner so as long as it doesn't fall out of my hands," he said.

"This shows what we can do, when you put your heads together, it shows what can be done."

Royal Portrush Golf Club's Captain - Robert Barry Talks to the Irish News ahead of The Open in July Picture by Hugh Russell
Royal Portrush Golf Club's Captain - Robert Barry Talks to the Irish News ahead of The Open in July Picture by Hugh Russell Royal Portrush Golf Club's Captain - Robert Barry Talks to the Irish News ahead of The Open in July Picture by Hugh Russell
The Irish Open was held at Royal Portrush in 2012. Picture by Justin Kernoghan/PhotopressBelfast
The Irish Open was held at Royal Portrush in 2012. Picture by Justin Kernoghan/PhotopressBelfast The Irish Open was held at Royal Portrush in 2012. Picture by Justin Kernoghan/PhotopressBelfast

Ladies captain Elizabeth McCartney also said it will be a "once in a lifetime experience".

"This will put the course firmly on the world map," she said.

Suzanne McGonagle
Suzanne McGonagle Suzanne McGonagle