Irish Open....sour grapes or ???

[Thor]

I was supposed to go to the Irish Open tomorrow but given the weather forecast I've decided that work is a better option. Don't know if anyone will agree with me but I think that having one of our most prestigious "home" championships (the only tour event in Ireland) in early/mid May on the Irish coast is treating the loyal golfing public disgracefully.

I know they've had problems with sponsorship etc but when you look at the tour schedule there are 2 events in Germany, 1 in France, 1 in Holland and 1 in Sweden between mid June and mid September. I appreciate that the 2 English events are in late May but the weather inland in the South of England will probably be more hospitable than at the minuteon the Irish coast.

I just think that the tour should look after their loyal core of fans before giving prime slots to countries where, although there will be good crowds, the vast majority of the population just doesn't give a toss(Sweden may be the exception).

I know this is a tad simplistic given the problems with event scheduling etc but it makes you wonder if those of us who golf regularly are being treated as second class citizens by the money men....I'll not even mention the location for the Scottish Open!!
Rant over!!

 

[stevek1969]

Whats wrong with Loch Lomond the pros rave about it , i've played it twice and its a tremendous course in a great location.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The problem is trying to fit these tournaments around the top guys schedules which is important to the sponsor obviously. I think it was always going to be a bit of a lottery weather wise but had it been over the last few weeks it would have been perfect.

I think its always going to be hard to please every golfing nation and find a schedule to suit everyone.

 

[Thor]

Steve I'm not having a go at Loch Lomond which is an excellent course its just that as the home of golf surely the week before the Open the Scottish Open should be played on one of their magnificent links courses. Personally I think its just money talking.

Homer I agree that scheduling will always be difficult but surely GB&I should have a greater say in when their championships are held.

 

[stevek1969]

No probs mate ,yes you are probably right they used to have it at Carnoustie for a few years but went back to an inland course. There was talk of it going to the Dundonald but havent heard anything.

 

[Yerman]

A hill walking friend of mine reckons May is actually a more reliable month for decent weather in both Ireland and Scotland than June/July/August. Lets face it nowhere can guarantee good weather.

 

[TheChamp]

Doesn't matter when you play it, the chances of a wet week have to be relatively high.

As for the Scottish Open, wasn't it dead on its arse up until it went to Loch Lomond and found a home? Now it's one of the most successful events on the euro tour.

 

[thecraw]

I totally diagree with you, fine you dont want to stand about watching golf in wind and rain, however on the flip side I love watching the pro'd battle it out in the weather we play most of our medals in.

I also read a great article on Geoff Ogilvy the other day where he explains that he had never ever played golf in his waterproofs (or rainsuit as he called it!)till he came over to Scotland at the age of 21 to play in the amateur. He was shocked having to wear a wolly hat and four jumpers to keep warm in July!!!!!

 

[Thor]

You might totally disagree with me but watching the pros suffer in the elements is fine on TV but not for paying joe public....umbrellas and rain dripping off my nose doesn't do it for me.

The core of my argument is that a major home championship like the Irish Open should be held during the summer months when there is a better chance of getting decent weather.

Rain, wind and 10* temperatures (with wind chill)is no fun for anyone!!

 

[davykyle]

I have also thought about going down to road to see the Irish Open and bar family and work committments I would be there. I think we should be thankful that "3" have taken on the Irish Open and thankful that it is being staged at Baltray. If it wasnt for 3 it wouldnt be on and this would be a far greater shame than the fact that it has rubbish weather at the minute.

It is a huge financial responsibility for 3 to sponsor such an event and to commit to it for the three years that they have agreed so I think Irish golf will benefit tremendously from this spectacle that it will be. From the European Tour website already I have seen more punched shots and manipulated swings than you would normally see in a whole season and I am just grateful that we have the opportunity to see this not to far away.

I do not work for 3 or even have a mobile phone from 3 but I am delighted that they have stepped up to the plate and kept this event going more so than when in the year it is. I think this fact is backed up by the quality of players that there are at Baltray this week and I really hope the rain stays away and they get the tremendous event they deserve.

 

[toonarmy]

Whats wrong with Loch Lomond the pros rave about it , i've played it twice and its a tremendous course in a great location.

There are no words to describe my hatred for you right now

 

[Thor]

Davy I know what 3 have done is fantastic and we should be very grateful given the sponsorship shambles of a few months ago.
My gripe is that an Irish Open in May is just not on...I'm in Belfast and the weather at the minute is atrocious. If its anything like this in Drogheda there'll not be any queues to get in!!

 

[davykyle]

Maybe the European Tour have a monopoly on Umbrella sales in Drogheda !

I agree in an ideal world it should not be run in May but the fact that there is an event is a bonus in itself.

 

[Thor]

Maybe we'll get it up North sometime....blue skies of Ulster etc. etc.
Anyway hope the Irish boys do a bit better this afternoon.

 

[rgs]

I agree it should have a better slot like it used to have in the 70s/80s--however that unlikely for the foreseeable future given more "favoured" sponsors have taken the better slots over the past few years when the Irish open fell down the pecking order due to its low prize money.

Secondly Smurfits sponsorship of the European Open was IMO factor in the Irish Open losing prestige and status. Smurfits pumped hge cash into the tour to ensure the Ryder Cup came to the K Club.

Money Talks.

 

[Ken_A]

I am going tomorow and cant wait, I want to see how pros struggle on a great course against rain and wind.

IMHO May is generally one of our better months, over the last few years it has been better in May than the 'summer'.

OK weather is poo but imagine having it in Aug, last year belfast got a new swimming pool and I had to help a friend in Kildare build a moat around his house to divert flood water from his wedding marquee.

Irish summer - they just dont happen.

 

[shanker]

Thor
I agree with you. The Irish Open should be a big event on the Tour. Great golfing tradition in Ireland and, I've heard, you've got some decent golfers at the moment!

 

[Thor]

Cheers shanker thanks for your support, as you say great tradition and a bigger prize pot than most of the events over the summer months.

Why is it being played in conditions that are more akin to early March. Todays debacle just confirms what I've said above its crazy when balls are moving around on wet greens that haven't been shaved as normal. The paying public had to hang around for 5 hours I think...... ridiculous. At least it would be warmer in July and August for hanging around.

Yes we have some decent golfers at the minute, what about the young fella at the top of the leaderboard. Pity about our other so called links experts who kind of disappeared today(quite literally in McDowell's case!!)

 

[shanker]

Thor
What happened to McDowell? I don't see golf on the telly here in Spain. Good luck to young Lowry tomorrow. Great Irish players are sprouting like shamrocks.