Royal Portrush to host golf's Irish Open
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Portrush golfer Graeme McDowell has expressed his delight that the Royal Portrush will host the Irish Open this summer. McDowell work work alongside Darren Clarke in an ambassadorial role for the Royal Portrush.
THE Irish Open golf championship will be held at Royal Portrush Golf Club this summer, for the first time since 1947.
The announcement was made last Friday much to the delight of Northern Ireland's major winners Darren Clarke, Rory McIlory and Graeme McDowell.
The Northern Ireland Executive is expected to provide around £2m of funding for the event, while additional sponsorship is also being sought.
US Open champion McIlroy has already guaranteed his participation at Royal Portrush and spoke of his delight at the return to event to Northern Ireland for the first time since it was staged at Belvoir Park in 1953.
Portrush golfer Graeme McDowell also welcomed the news telling Twitter followers: "Fantastic news on the Irish Open 2012 coming to Royal Portrush. It has always been a dream of mine to play a top event in my home town."
McDowell and Clarke, both have strong links with the North Coast and they have agreed to act in an ambassadorial role for Royal Portrush, which will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2013.
The news will also come as a boost to local businesses and the newly rebranded Roe Park Resort in Limavady have welcomed the news.
Speaking of the return of the Irish Open to the Royal Portrush George Graham, general manager of the newly rebranded Roe Park Resort, Limavady, said: "As the only 4 star golf resort in the North Coast we are delighted that the Royal Portrush has been selected as the venue for the 2012 Irish Open.
“The past number of years have been challenging for the tourism and hospitality sectors and the announcement of a professional golf tournament of this magnitude is a welcome boast for the area. Already we have received significant enquiries about overnight stays and golf breaks at our 18 hole parkland golf course and look forward to the return of the Irish Open to the region for the first time since 1947."
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