chris661
Money List Winner
Just read on SSN that the R&A are "taking a closer look" at the Open going to Portrush. I was always lead to believe that the required infrastructure wasn't in place so it could never happen. Is it a good bad idea?
The Open for Portrush?
- Thread starter chris661
- Start date
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
It is a good idea that they are looking, but it probably won't happen. It is not just the road access, the number of hotel rooms, the rail access involved.
The course needs to be able to have 100k spectators, with all the associated facilities, toilets, food outlets, merchandising, hospitality etc. A lot of good courses just don't have the room.
The course needs to be able to have 100k spectators, with all the associated facilities, toilets, food outlets, merchandising, hospitality etc. A lot of good courses just don't have the room.
Mattyboy
Tour Rookie
It comes down to the size (and difficuly) of the course and the numbers of the crowd they hope to pull in. In other words, how many paying punters and rent for stands etc. Its all down to money.
It cant come down to the location and transport facilities as theres no way it would have been at St Georges this year if this had been considered.
Alas, I dont think Portrush has much of a chance, although the Clarke victory would help.
Matt
It cant come down to the location and transport facilities as theres no way it would have been at St Georges this year if this had been considered.
Alas, I dont think Portrush has much of a chance, although the Clarke victory would help.
Matt
palindromicbob
Tour Winner
There are plenty of hotel rooms in the area. Not necessarily in Portrush but certainly in the area. The ability to cater for facilities etc would be increased by the fact there is quite a lot of places they could take over and use. I wouldn't rule out the Dunluce Links yet. Wouldn't expect good weather though!
You've also got to remember this is an area used to dealing with traffic and crowds for the North West 200 so I'm sure it could be up to it.
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
Thing is, is there enough space between the holes for the spectators to stand safely, and still get a good view?
stevek1969
Money List Winner
They have plenty room for all the tents and such like as ther's 3 courses there and a large practise ground. The road and rail infrastructure are already there and plenty of hotels between there Coleraine and Portstewart which are roughly 6 miles apart.
Wouls be a fantastic course to hold and open on and the players would love it thats for sure.Thinks theats one of the reasons Darren Clarke moved back as its such a tough course to play and learn on.
Wouls be a fantastic course to hold and open on and the players would love it thats for sure.Thinks theats one of the reasons Darren Clarke moved back as its such a tough course to play and learn on.
muttleee
Tour Rookie
It held the Senior British Open for several years and I don't think there were any casualties from that.
Obviously the crowds were smaller for that but the principle's the same.
Flarkey
Club Champion
I don't think it'll ever happen... but then if you told me 5 years ago that N.I. would have back to back major winners I'd have said that it would never happen either!
chrisd
Major Champion
St Georges has the M20 and M2 close and the traffic for open week is only going there ie no other reasons to visit the area. They ran trains to Sandwich and parking was plentiful.
The biggest problem imo was the overzealous security, designed largly to stop anyone taking phones in which really slowed up entry to the venue.
The venue itself was laid out as well a it could be and much the same as 2003 except that the merchandising was cr*p, the food was awful and mega dear!
Chris
Oddsocks
Ryder Cup Winner
silly question but why are you not allowed to take your phone. I appreciated that images etc can be texted, over, but with most of it live on tv anyway, its not like iphone pics are going to be any better than bbc/itv/sky sports images that are beemed out world wide. i think this is a bit of a silly rule.
Ethan
Money List Winner
The elephant in the room is the fear of trouble of a political variety. RP has adequate space on site for all the paraphernalia, and there is a quite a bit of hotel accommodation available within a short trip. I would imagine there would be a few more hotels swiftly built if RP became an Open venue. They could be filled with even more travelling golfers wanting to play a current roster venue. NI Railways have a station at Portrush, and it would be possible to add some more trains from Belfast and Derry.
S
Snelly
Guest
Royal County Down surely has a better claim. Ranked as the #3 course in the world and certainly the best links.
Perhaps it's an infrastructure question there too?
Perhaps it's an infrastructure question there too?
Ethan
Money List Winner
RCD has a lot less infrastructure. Plus RP has the history and GMac and DC pulling for it. Rory had a 61 there once, so he probably doesn't mind either.
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
RCD would be a new course on the rota. The RandA don't like new things. They would no doubt prefer RP due to the fact that it has been on the rota already.
I think one of the biggest if not THE biggest factor would be whether the Open would be commercially viable in Northern Ireland.
SharkAttack
Q-School Graduate
The Open is played the weekend after the end of the Marching Season, so practice week would be during that weekend and there's never any trouble at that time. Or is there?
Can't see them going there for another good few years and by then they will have forgot all about GMac, Rory and DC's wins.
Can't see them going there for another good few years and by then they will have forgot all about GMac, Rory and DC's wins.
palindromicbob
Tour Winner
Not really any in Portrush. It doesn't have the same divides that trouble hotspots do. It's like saying you couldn't go to Manchester because of trouble in Liverpool.
I think 2021 would be a good year for it. 70 years after it last had the open. Or 2017 70 years after the first Irish Open winner. You know the way round numbers are nice and easy.
Marko77
Q-School Graduate
I read today they are saying about having the Irish Open at Portrush to show a big event could be staged there.
If they were to swap the schedule around they could end up having a good 3 week stretch. Scottish, The, Irish Opens all on links or even have the Scottish and Irish Opens held in advance of The Open?
If they were to swap the schedule around they could end up having a good 3 week stretch. Scottish, The, Irish Opens all on links or even have the Scottish and Irish Opens held in advance of The Open?
