British Open at Portmarnock: the politics, the potential (& most importantly, the pounds)

Portmarnock’s candidature to stage the British Open is part of a long term objective to rotate the ancient competition between Ireland, Scotland and England on a tri-annual basis.

Unlocking the potential tourism budgets of Ireland willl be a factor in the decision. Brining the tournament to Portrush in 2019 cost £4.2m, with £3m of this coming from the NI Department of Enterprise and the European Union.

The attendance over the four days was 327,750, making it second to St. Andrews as a spectator event. While the TV viewing figures is what makes a modern golf tournament viable, the saleability fo the event is enhanced by the sight of large crowds (golf writers call them galleries as part of the impenetrable jargon of the sport).

The largest attendance at the Irish Open in recent years was also at Portrush, 126,505 in 2012, and the only other six figure attendance over four days was 106,906 at Royal County Down in 2015.

Seven venues in Scotland have staged the British Open (on 97 occasions), six venues in England (on 52 occasions) and just one in Ireland, Royal Portrush twice. The price of a pint was just eleven pence. , the event and life in general was simpler when Portrush first hosted the British Open in 1951.

A statement from Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: “when considering requests for support, we carefully assess each event based on its own merits. It is crucial to ensure that any state investment yields economic benefits, increases participation, and fosters advancements in sports. If Portmarnock Golf Club makes a request for support, we will instruct our officials to engage positively.”

A statement from Portmarnock golf club noted “without a detailed survey, it is not possible to verify the ability of the property to act as host to a Major championship, given the significant infrastructural requirements of such an event. we are just taking the next step. There is a long way to go.”

Upcoming dates for the British Open: