Royal Portrush shines for golfers

In the city, it was Clipper fever, while some of the world’s top golfers enjoyed their Royal Portrush experience at the Irish Open.

Former major winners like Rory McIlroy, John Daly, Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley, Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington all flexed their muscles around the glorious links course, which despite the terrible weather drew crowds of over 100,000 people to the North Coast course.

In fact for the first time in the European Tour’s history, all four days of the competition were completely sold-out.

Jamie Donaldson came out on top to claim his first title after over 250 events, however the real winners were the organisers and spectators who made the Irish Open a truly memorable occasion for anyone who witnessed the Welshman’s triumph.

Now there is talk that not just the Irish Open will return to Royal Portrush, but the British Open will also come back and former Faughan Valley Golf Club Captain Trevor Lewers, who was one of the many thousands of spectators who soaked up the atmosphere over the weekend, feels the major would be another success if it does return in the not too distant future.

“Hats off to everyone at Royal Portrush and everyone connected to making the Irish Open the massive success, which it was,” declared Lewers.

“Everything was run so smoothly and the golf which was played was exceptional. I’m hoping the success of the Irish Open means that in the not too distant future the (British) Open will make its long awaited return to Portrush and I’m sure if it does that it too will just be as successful.”

Two time Open winner Padraig Harrington believes the course and area is also ready.

“The golf course is fantastic. The players love playing the golf course,” admitted the Dubliner.

“Yeah, the golf course is certainly a great test. The area is great. Plenty of accommodation up here and it has the same sort of feel about it as a lot of The Open venues.

“Logistics wise, that’s not my area of expertise. The little white golf ball, I can manage, but the logistics around the event, there’s bigger and better things going on, and that’s for the R&A to understand and probably the Northern Ireland government.”

Portrush native Graeme McDowell was also thrilled with how everything went on from behind the scenes to number of spectators who watched every putt begin sunk.

“To grow up in the town of Portrush and to be part of the reason why the Irish Open is here, myself and Pádraig and Rory and Darren, and all of the Irish players really, we all feel a sense of pride that we have kept the Irish Open alive,” stated McDowell.

“First and foremost, for the last four or five years and brought it up to this fantastic venue in the north coast of Ireland. It’s been a great advertisement for golf on the north coast.

“Yeah, the weather could be a little better but that’s Ireland, isn’t it. But this crowd have been amazing, 30,0000 people every day. Their spirits would not be dampened. Just think how much fun they would have had if the sun would have been shining. Hopefully we’ll be back and hopefully we’ll be back very soon.”

While former world number one Rory McIlroy was also thrilled with the Portrush experience.

“It’s incredible, as good a tournament as I’m ever going to play in. It’s just been incredible.

“The crowds that have come out this week to support the tournament, to support the players, it’s been great to be a part of.

“It’s great to be able to feel like I did something to help bring this tournament here and I think it’s been a huge success.”