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The Open in Wales??

Dodger

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R&A inspecting Royal Porthcawl soon according to press reports.

Interesting.

Having not been there what's the thoughts on it actually happening?

ROYAL PORTHCAWL IN LINE TO BE ADDED TO OPEN VENUE ROSTER
FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By JAMES CORRIGAN

Wales may soon be in line to host to its first Open Championship. The R and A will inspect Royal Porthcawl next month to decide whether the famous links is capable of staging the British major.
It was always assumed that the South Wales layout does not have the required infrastructure to be accepted on to the Open roster. But The Daily Telegraph has learned that, after talks with the Welsh Government, the club feels it could undertake the work which would be necessary to accommodate the crowds and hospitality.
The earliest the tournament could be held at Royal Porthcawl is 2018.
The Porthcawl members have already given their blessing with 87.5  per cent approving the project in a poll. They were then informed that “the R and A will be visiting the club in October to assess the course as a challenge ... the ability to move spectators around ... the area required for tented village ... and the traffic implications from the M4”.
Next year’s Seniors Open is *heading to Porthcawl and it was during the bid for that event when the Claret Jug was discussed. Wales is the only country never to have staged the Open; Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush having had the honour of 1951.
There has been plenty of talk recently about the Open returning to the County Antrim links but it is understood that as far as Royal Porthcawl is concerned, the financial backing of the Welsh Assembly could be all important.
Carwyn Jones, the First Minister, is keen to raise Wales’s profile as both a tourist and business destination and after the success of the 2010 Ryder Cup, he believes the Open would be the ideal vehicle.
Royal Porthcawl has staged the Walker Cup, which is also organised by the RandA.
 

Imurg

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Why not?

They have enough time to make any infrastructure alterations and if the Welsh Assembly are getting involved too it's got to help.

I think it would be good to add a couple more venues - Hoylake only got back on the list a while back, add in Portush and Porthcawl and it takes the Championship around the Islands a bit more...
 

Wenglish

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Ive never played there its very local and on my list but first I aim to get my HC down a bit more. It always seems to get good reviews however the town is a pit and not a good place to go for a night out. Its improving but I still wouldnt leave my car there overnight.
 

Captainron

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I've had the pleasure of playing the course and it is avert good test and one which would serve the Open well. There is loads of space in the area and a massive practice area. Hope it does eventually come to fruition.
 

CMAC

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how far ahead are the Open venues booked? in other words if they do go down this route whats the earliest year it could possibly be in Wales?
 
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........the financial backing of the Welsh Assembly could be all important.
Carwyn Jones, the First Minister, is keen to raise Wales’s profile as both a tourist and business destination and after the success of the 2010 Ryder Cup, he believes the Open would be the ideal vehicle.

Whilst I would love to see The Open go to Wales and back to Northern Ireland, I am always sceptical when I see Government funding being used to support sporting events - surely this money could be used on measures more important than helping stage a golf event? It is public money after all. However if the public money will be used to improve local amenities, such as transport, then why not.
 

wookie

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I read an interesting article about this just after we played it last month but cant remember where it was now.

One main concern was where to have the main grandstand as the 18th green is close to the first tee and fairway. The idea it talked about was building the stand up around and on top of the clubhouse!
 

User20205

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I read an interesting article about this just after we played it last month but cant remember where it was now.

One main concern was where to have the main grandstand as the 18th green is close to the first tee and fairway. The idea it talked about was building the stand up around and on top of the clubhouse!


It's a cracking course, proper links with sea views which is nice

They played the welsh seniors open this year and finished on the 17 for that reason, not enough room around the 18th for grandstands. I guess they started on the 18th as the 1st
 
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