The Open back to Royal Portrush

I recently had the privilege of welcoming the Claret Jug into South Ayrshire in preparation for the Open Championship. 

In the run up to what was one of the greatest Opens in years, local star Darren Clarke was widely quoted by the Belfast Telegraph, BBC and world media saying that The Open should return to Royal Portrush.

The Open has only once been held outside Great Britain when the famous north coast links hosted the Championship in 1951 when Max Faulkner triumphed with a total of 285.

Portrush was christened Royal Portrush Golf Club in 1895 when HRH The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) was Patron. 

History (and definitely politics which should be firmly left) aside the Co. Antrim links would make a fabulous re-addition to the Open roster. In more recent years it has hosted The British Seniors Open from 1995 to 1999 and again in 2004. 

I was disappointed when I heard the wonderful Peter Allis and our own Maureen Madill chatting on-air during the Beeb's coverage of last week's event. Maureen made what I think was an ill-informed point that we have insufficient hotel beds. That is simply not true. I am a Director of a Brunston Castle Golf Club only 5 miles from Turnberry in South Ayrshire and I well know that there are more hotel beds within a 40 minute drive-time of Portrush than there are around Turnberry.

Furthermore, whilst the A77 (from Glasgow to Stranraer) has been greatly improved, it was unfair to say the north coast is worse off for connecting infrastructure. 

I accept we could do with more quality beds in Portrush and its immediate surrounds and that the road connections could be further improved, however we can easily address these issues. 

I would encourage the appropriate Ministers (and it should be a joint effort) and the Assembly to Direct the Planning Service and other agencies to do whatever it takes. Similarly if Road improvements are required to speed golfers, TV, spectators and the like from Belfast/Ballymena then tell Roads Service to make it happen!

I challenge DETI, DOE, DRD and others to do whatever it takes. The positive economic impact and legacy will far outweigh any public subvention required. 

The World Rally Championship, which I helped to stage and promote at Stormont in 2007, brought a €42M positive economic impact to the cross border region from Enniskillen to Sligo. Indeed the spend was in fact spread much further afield (people will find and drive to hotels!).  

Furthermore, with the Public Accounts Committee having had its say, let's not drown in NI Events Company history or previous attempts. 

I am starting a Campaign on this and will be looking for support from across the island and USA. Meantime I intend to call my good friend Howard Hastings the energetic new Chairman of the NITB to establish what is the current thinking. 

If there are hurdles in the way lets knock the down. Our talented crop of Rory McIlroy, Portrush duo Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell, two time champion Padraig Harrington and many talented youngsters deserve a shot at an Open Championship on Ulster soil.