The Open outside the UK

[Deleted member 15344]

No, and er, no. Why not play the Irish Open at Portmarnock every year and for the Irish PGA build it up to the level of the 5th Major/TPC? Maybe, ultimately, it might become a Major in its own right. By all means include a few more courses onto the rota, including top courses from Wales & Northern Ireland. Cruden Bay, with 27 holes available and a mountain of mounds for spectators, would make an ideal Open venue, especially with an airport and a multitude of hotels close by.

i’m sorry, but for Rory to suggest Ireland, I’m inclined to think it’s a (subconscious) political desire too. Definitely NO.

Rory didn’t suggest Ireland- he said that the R&A are looking at the venue as a possible Open venue

It’s worth noting that R&A events have been hosted at courses in Ireland

Walker Cup
Amatuer Championships
Women’s Amatuer will be there next year

 

[HeftyHacker]

I'm not averse to the idea but agree it should remain on traditional links courses.

In terms of bringing bigger events to Europe the DP world should flex their might (lol) and insist on on more co-sanctioned events. A co-sanctioned Irish Open would be great with some of the courses over there. Either links or the likes of Adair Manor (already gearing up to host the Ryder Cup) - have it as a part of a European swing and you could see the Irish Open, Scottish Open and the Open as part of a 3 week run of tournaments with all the biggest names there.

 

[Hobbit]

Rory didn’t suggest Ireland- he said that the R&A are looking at the venue as a possible Open venue

It’s worth noting that R&A events have been hosted at courses in Ireland

Walker Cup
Amatuer Championships
Women’s Amatuer will be there next year

Is moving it really growing the game in Ireland? I’d say no. The crowds will be great because it’s already an established golfing country. Will it be to the detriment of golf in the U.K.? I’d say yes. The U.K., especially England, has lost a lot of top comps in the last 50 years. The B & H @ Fulford, the CarCare in Leeds to name but two.

Walker Cup has always been GB&I. The others I’ve not bothered looking at, but are you saying they equate to the Open? Obviously they don’t.

If the R&A want to take competitions elsewhere, why not create or take another comp.

 

[GB72]

Is moving it really growing the game in Ireland? I’d say no. The crowds will be great because it’s already an established golfing country. Will it be to the detriment of golf in the U.K.? I’d say yes. The U.K., especially England, has lost a lot of top comps in the last 50 years. The B & H @ Fulford, the CarCare in Leeds to name but two.

Walker Cup has always been GB&I. The others I’ve not bothered looking at, but are you saying they equate to the Open? Obviously they don’t.

If the R&A want to take competitions elsewhere, why not create or take another comp.

I guess because, sadly, unless it is The Open or an event co-sanctioned by the PGA or a links event the week before the Open then nobody who most people are going to have heard of will turn up to play (except maybe the Irish golfers) and it becomes just another meh DP tour event.

 

[PNWokingham]

Should Scotland get independence would the Open then stay in Scotland?

If Ireland is to reunite should Portrush go off the rota?
The Open in my view is above political boundaries. The Open started in Scotland but golf grew pretty quickly throughout the British Isles. I do see why any part should not hold the Open if the course is appropriate. Great Links courses are throughout the Islands.

not sure the point - i agree - any part of the UK - Wales needs to be on there soon. And the independance questions are irrelvant unless it isn't so one to debate (although not on here) if it happens

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Is moving it really growing the game in Ireland? I’d say no. The crowds will be great because it’s already an established golfing country. Will it be to the detriment of golf in the U.K.? I’d say yes. The U.K., especially England, has lost a lot of top comps in the last 50 years. The B & H @ Fulford, the CarCare in Leeds to name but two.

Walker Cup has always been GB&I. The others I’ve not bothered looking at, but are you saying they equate to the Open? Obviously they don’t.

If the R&A want to take competitions elsewhere, why not create or take another comp.

The Open will still carry on being played in England or Scotland or Wales etc - having it hosted once every 10/15/20 years in Ireland is not going to mean a lost event to the UK

It’s the The Open - and the R&A already host competitions in Ireland .

The impact on the Open in Portrush was huge - moving it around to wales and Ireland would have the same impact on the sport.

 

[PNWokingham]

The Open will still carry on being played in England or Scotland or Wales etc - having it hosted once every 10/15/20 years in Ireland is not going to mean a lost event to the UK

It’s the The Open - and the R&A already host competitions in Ireland .

The impact on the Open in Portrush was huge - moving it around to wales and Ireland would have the same impact on the sport.

Wales - big yes. Ireland - big No. Totally agree with Brian and build a big event for Ireland or repurpose the Irish Open as an Open peer on similar links courses

 

[Slab]

Hmm the R&A already host amateur tournaments in Mauritius, ergo they could bring The Open here

 

[Backsticks]

Most of the courses suggested simply cannot host as they are, even if they wanted to - which most do not. Almost all would require significant course changes (500+ yard lengthening) - just over 7000 yards is only ok for the seniors; many don't have sufficient additional land for all the on-site facilities required for a modern Open; several lack adequate transport links and other local amenities to host tens of thousands of visitors; etc.

Length wont be an issue.
They will be using the shorter ball.

 

[Captainron]

Saudi have the money..... Why not let them buy it?

 

[Deleted member 25172]

Saudi have the money..... Why not let them buy it?

As long as they add a team element to it. Need to #GrowTheGame

 

[Tashyboy]

For me I would question Why? My first thoughts are because of money. Am I averse to the idea, well I suppose you would have to see the reasons why. If it is to grow the game where more Fans can get to see it, it works for me. The Tour de France has history of having opening stages outside of France. It seems to work well.

 

[Imurg]

They can take The Open abroad the day the US Open goes to Canada or Mexico......

 

[Backsticks]

I guess those of us who do regard it as the British Open do see it as an event that should stay in Britain (incl NI, without getting into a naming tangle there).

Those who regard it as The Open, which includes the R&A, probably arent hung up in the Britain element. And taking it abroad would probably enhance its THE Open, claims.

Imagine what the PIF would pay to have it in Saudi ? And how much that would do for the take up of golf by the common man or woman in Saudi and growing the game. They have the money to simply replicate a Dornoch or whatever. Links. Saudi style. They arent short of the sand.

It could even, maybe even have to be, in December, which would help those who dont like the current 3 months and done majors schedule.

 

[IanM]

Imagine what the PIF would pay to have it in Saudi ? And how much that would do for the take up of golf by the common man or woman in Saudi and growing the game.

Absolutely, it would just like the Gerrard and Henderson going there purely for the love of growing the game.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The Tour de France has history of having opening stages outside of France. It seems to work well.

First 6 holes in Ireland/Belgium/France/Portugal etc, then back to Blighty for the rest of the tournament? .

It work on The Tour because of how it is stretched out over so many days. The Dunhill manages to play multiple courses within a tournament but they need to be close to each other. It would make The Open gimmicky, it doesn't need it.

 

[Tashyboy]

First 6 holes in Ireland/Belgium/France/Portugal etc, then back to Blighty for the rest of the tournament? .

It work on The Tour because of how it is stretched out over so many days. The Dunhill manages to play multiple courses within a tournament but they need to be close to each other. It would make The Open gimmicky, it doesn't need it.

 

[TigerBear]

No thanks. The republic of Ireland is not part of the UK.

Should we start playing the US Open in Canada or Mexico.

Silly stuff this.

 

[Backache]

I don't think anyone is saying ROI is part of the UK.
That's politics and boundaries, The question is whether golf would benefit from having one of its most prestigious competitions being held somewhere with fantastic traditional links courses a fabulous golfing heritage and knowledgeable and enthusiastic spectators.
It already has done in parts of the Island why not in other parts?

 

[Golfnut1957]

I don't think anyone is saying ROI is part of the UK.
That's politics and boundaries, The question is whether golf would benefit from having one of its most prestigious competitions being held somewhere with fantastic traditional links courses a fabulous golfing heritage and knowledgeable and enthusiastic spectators.
It already has done in parts of the Island why not in other parts?

Because of politics and boundaries?