Tourism chief hopes hosting Open will create investment boost for golf courses
John McGrillen, the chief executive of Tourism NI, said the revenue generated by golf tourism in Northern Ireland has already grown by 66% to £86 million per annum since Northern Ireland last staged the sporting showpiece in 2019.
But Mr McGrillen, who is stepping down from his post after this week's tournament, said the rate of future growth is somewhat limited by how many golfers the region's top seaside links course can accommodate at any one time.
The tourism boss said that the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club prompted several US investments in golf-linked tourism in Northern Ireland, even despite the disruptive impact of the pandemic the following year.
Mr McGrillen believes the potential for overseas investment in golf courses is even greater this time round, and he even raised the possibility of a new links course being built on the region's scenic coastlines.
He said growth of golf tourism was an integral part of Tourism NI's strategy to increase the value of the local sector to £2 billion a year by 2035, from its current level of £1.1 billion.
'We're looking to almost double that number over that period of time,' he said.
'And there's the potential to substantially grow golf tourism in the meantime. I think that one of our key challenges is everybody wants to play the same trophy golf courses, and there are only so many tee times available there.
'So, you know, hopefully we might see some investment in new golfing facilities over the next decade.
'If we could see some investment in maybe upgrading some of our existing links courses or, if ever possible, the development of a new links course, that would certainly help.'
Mr McGrillen said it was also important to point visitors towards the region's top level parkland and resort courses.
He said examples of golf's growth close to home showed what could potentially be achieved in Northern Ireland.
'In the Republic of Ireland golf tourism is probably worth 300 million euro, in Scotland it's worth £1 billion, so there is a market,' he said.
'I think it's got significant potential going forward if those constraints and those investment opportunities are taken up.'
The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush is set to become the second best attended in history, with almost 280,000 fans having snapped up tickets for the final major of the year.
Almost 1.1 million people applied in the public ticket ballot last year, with 278,000 securing tickets across the practice days and four tournament days.
That is around 41,000 more than attended the Open when Shane Lowry triumphed at Royal Portrush in 2019.
That year marked the first time the Open had been played in Northern Ireland since 1951.
The record attendance at an Open came in 2022 at St Andrews when 290,000 attended the 150th staging of the tournament.
Mr McGrillen believes Northern Ireland has now firmly established itself as a regular fixture on the rota of courses that hosts the Open.
'The reason it is back is because it was a huge success last time around,' he said.
'There's clearly a huge market and demand for the Open on the island of Ireland. There are going to be 278,000 people here, which is the second biggest open ever, after St Andrews, so I think it will continue to be a regular fixture on the circuit.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
a few seconds ago
- BBC News
Bowen is West Ham's 'captain fantastic'
West Ham manager Graham Potter has labelled skipper Jarrod Bowen as a "fantastic captain" after his goal against Manchester United in their Premier League Summer Series opener on is trying to put his stamp on the Hammers after failing to make much of an impression in his first half season in charge after replacing Julen Lopetegui in funds raised from the sale of winger Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham for £55m earlier this month are having to be spent wisely and, last week, England defender Kyle Walker-Peters became the club's fourth signing of the in Bowen, Potter has someone with vast experience with the east London 28-year-old has made 238 appearances and scored 74 goals for the club since joining from Hull for £18m in January was on target in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by United at the MetLife Stadium and would have equalised in stoppage time had it not been for an excellent save by Altay he tries to improve the rest of the team, Potter knows Bowen is someone he can rely on."He is a fantastic captain," said Potter. "How he has led the team, grown into the role and taken responsibility."He speaks so well to the players, with authority, calmness and respect."He is fantastic for West Ham. He understands the club and what is required and leads by example."
Daily Mail
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mail
Is this Britain's SMUGGEST high street? Locals in market town boast everyone 'wishes' they had shops like theirs and claim it is 'creative capital of England'
The weather would be a trade-killer for many an embattled town centre – cloudy, drizzly and unseasonably chilly. But this is Totnes, self-declared 'creative capital' of England, scourge of the chain store and home of what one independent retailer describes as a 'Goldilocks high street'. Which is partly why by 11am the historic South Devon town is already thronging with shoppers - locals and visitors alike - and the coffee shops are buzzing. At least, most are. The one representative of a major national café brand, Caffe Nero's Coffee#1, has only a couple of occupied tables in its comparatively spacious premises. In fairness this may be because it stands at the top of the steepish high street, furthest from the main car parks. Yet there can be no doubt that national chains, particularly coffee chains, are about as welcome in Totnes as a cold cappuccino. Costa got the message 12 years when its attempt to launch in the medieval market town resulted in a residents' 6,000-name protest petition, 300 objections to planners and a natty campaign website, ' The company could have gone ahead but pulled out after then managing director Chris Rogers acknowledged that it was 'a town with a long and proud history of independent retailers'. Since the successful revolt, locals in the region have managed to keep most big brands from encroaching on their cherished town centre, with some business owners claiming others 'wish' for a high street like theirs. At Brioche café, front-of-house manager Gavin Brown, remembers Totnes's outrage well. 'The locals got so riled about that,' he said. 'There were fears that every national chain would start eyeing us up. 'People here have a strong sense that this town is the creative capital of England. 'There are lots of artistic retailers, lots of quirky shops. It was felt franchises would diminish the character of the place. 'Independence isn't the only reason Totnes has bucked the trend of run-down town centres. 'We have the coast, the moors, beautiful countryside and amazing history on our doorstep. It all helps attract visitors. But it also helps to look and be different.' At the nearby Green Café, Yorkshireman John Pollard, agrees. He says Totnes is collectively 'a little curiosity shop' and it's a misconception that chains are cheaper. 'Our coffee is cheaper than Costa and our pasties cheaper than our nearest chain rival,' he said. 'Yes, Totnes is successful. I shudder to think what it's like for shops in similar small towns in the north of England. 'But we're also under pressure. Our business energy contract has been crippling. Taxes we pay to local and national government have hit five per cent of turnover. There's no support for family enterprises.' John, 56, launched the business with his wife Sylvia Kerkar after returning from India three years ago. They try to employ young people and encourage entrepreneurship. 'Some are thinking about it,' he added. 'If they've learned one thing it is that you have to work hard and be resourceful.' Across the road at Totnes Wine and Fine Foods owner Simon Moorman, a former investment manager, echoes his words. 'Relatively speaking, we're thriving,' he told Mail Online. 'Visitors all tell me the same thing: 'We wish our high street was like yours'. Pictured: Coffee#1, a subsidiary of Cafe Nero, and the only coffee chain in Totnes centre. The area has a history of fighting against the establishment of chain brands, including campaigning against the opening of a Costa in 2012 'But almost every Totnes trader I know is cutting back on hours or the number of people they employ. 'The notion that this government supports growth is absolute crap. Business rates have doubled, the minimum wage and national insurance contributions have increased and local parking charges have rocketed. 'Why is anyone surprised that high streets are in trouble.' His words ring true but every trader we spoke to agreed that Totnes would be in a whole lot more trouble if its independent stores had to compete with an influx of major chains. At the Fayre Trade Fairy, a mother-and-daughter run fashion store which supports suppliers across the world, 24-year-old Rosie Sage says the town's strong sense of community keeps her in business. 'If H&M moved next door to us we'd be finished,' she said. 'I used to live on a shopping street in Exeter next to the city centre. Premises would change hands every year because no independent trader could compete with the big brands up the road. 'That doesn't happen in Totnes because we have a really strong community willing to fight to protect what it has.' Some of the protection is in-built, as Nigel Jones of the family-run East Gate Bookshop points out. 'Having a medieval high street means that most shop premises are comparatively small – 2,000 sq ft or less,' he said. 'This doesn't work for most major chains who typically want at least 5,000 sqft to fit their business models. 'It helps protect the rest of us. Although we have a few chains such as WHSmith, Mountain Warehouse, Fatface and the like, they have already snapped up the larger premises. There are few opportunities for other big brands to move in. 'It's also important to point out the obvious - we have a beautiful and unique town which is a draw in itself for visitors. 'We're a Goldilocks high street. Not too big, not too small and always tempting. 'But we're not a mini theme park. Locals have butchers, greengrocers and all the other shops they need to stay functional. 'It's old fashioned but it's not Ye Olde Totnes.' Up the road, Conker Shoes proprieter Simon Gwilt is proudly maintaining a trade that has been part of Totnes for hundreds of years. A shoemaker himself, he employs two others full-time using skills that have changed little. 'Too many high streets look exactly the same, wherever you are in the country,' he said. 'Our shops all look very different. That's what adds to Totnes's character. 'We have locals and visitors as regular customers. They like the idea of hand-made shoes which are properly sustainable. We design them so they can eventually be re-soled.' Shoppers we spoke to were universally enthusiastic about a shopping trip to Totnes. While the town's population is a modest 8,800, it is a retail magnet for residents from surrounding villages. The mayor says the fact there are 300 listed buildings, of which some 280 are on the high street, means that it is an automatic deterrent for chains as it comes with extra costs Pictured: An independent store called Revival. The market town sits within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Beauty and so attracts many visitors to the area Sue Keeler makes a regular 30-mile round trip from Kingsbridge, in the South Hams, precisely because she enjoys the day out. 'I love the place,' she said. 'It's great shopping here, a relaxing experience – you can wander round a beautiful town packed with shops you won't find anywhere else. 'I feel for people who are denied that because their town centre shops are run-down or boarded up.' At Zappa's 'plant-based' café, assistant Kerry Hope says the importance of surrounding villages is key to the local economy. 'We serve regular groups who are on a coffee-shop crawl – like a pub crawl but cheaper, she said. 'Local people do not like the big chains. That applies as much to the natives as those who have come down from London to live here. 'There's no doubt though that visitors sustain our businesses. Some shops would never get through the winter without the summer trade.' Before we leave we call in on Town Mayor Tim Bennett, who proudly dons red robes, white gloves, and a gold chain before advising that he's the 592nd Mayor of Totnes. 'There was a time when you could only be Mayor if you bought another gold link for the chain,' he said. 'My predecessors clearly thought this a good way of keeping out the hoy-palloy. 'What's the secret of our success? There's no single thing. A lot is built up about residents keeping out big chains such as Costa but in truth we aren't really what most chains are looking for. 'There are 300 listed buildings in Totnes and some 280 are on the High Street. So moving in to any of those premises is going to come with costs. 'We have a decent retail mix now. The chains don't dominate and our independent shops have a fair chance to succeed.' Under the town's famous clock tower Tim is spotted by visitors who question whether he is Mayor or Town Crier. Either way, they want a selfie. He's happy to oblige. 'The Town Council knows the importance of holidaymakers,' he said. 'But we can't rely only on our summer trade. 'Street markets are vital. I know of shops which take more money during our three Christmas markets then they do for the whole of the rest of the year. Without that income they would go to the wall. 'We are under no illusion. Totnes lives and dies by its High Street.'
BBC News
a few seconds ago
- BBC News
Women's Open a 'massive step' for Wales
Wales. Golf. from across the golfing world will be on the south Wales coastline this week as Royal Porthcawl hosts the AIG Women's is being billed as the biggest female sporting event ever staged in Wales, thanks to a combination of the tournament's status, its global reach and the fact that all the world's top players will be involved. For Gareth Bale, the football icon who is also a golf fanatic, the hope is that the staging of the Women's Open - the final golf major of 2025 - will have a long-term impact on the game in his homeland."To have the largest women's sporting event ever to be held in Wales is amazing," Bale says."It's a massive step in the right direction, especially for Welsh golf." Lydia Ko is the reigning Women's Open champion having seen off America's Lilia Vu - the victor in 2023 - to win at St Andrews in New Zealander will be among the favourites this week, alongside a number of other contenders such as world number one Nelly Korda, from the USA, and Thailand's Jeeno Hull and rising star Lottie Woad, for whom the Women's Open will be just a second event as a professional, are among those hoping to lead the charge for a first British winner since Georgia Hall's victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes in European Tour rookie Darcey Harry, a Royal Porthcawl member, will fly the flag for Wales as the 22-year-old plays just the second major of her young Grace Kim will aim for a second successive major victory having triumphed at the Evian Championship earlier in July, with fellow Australian Minjee Lee, Sweden's Maja Stark and Mao Sigao, of Japan, also looking for a second major success this year."All those top players are going to be here and I think everyone in Wales will want to come out and witness some greatness," Bale says. 'There won't be any professional golf for me' Bale has played many of the world's finest golf courses – and describes Royal Porthcawl as being "right up there" with the best he has former Real Madrid forward has fine-tuned his own game since retiring from football in 2023, cutting his handicap from "three or four" when he was still playing to just 0.1 now."I try to play twice a week if I can - if I can get another practice session it's always a bonus," he Bale get his wish, some of his time may soon be taken up by Cardiff City, with the 36-year-old involved in a consortium looking to buy the he speaks to BBC Sport Wales next to the 18th green at Porthcawl, Bale declines to comment on Cardiff as he focuses instead on golf. Fellow former professional footballers Jimmy Bullard and Peter Odemwingie are also fine golfers, with both making failed attempts to qualify for the men's Open Championship this has been speculation at times over whether Bale might fancy his chances in golf's professional ranks – but despite the fact that he is close to being a scratch player, he insists that is not going to happen."When you are in golf and you see professional golfers play, compared to even your best stuff, it is nowhere near," he says. "Never mind just playing with your friends, they are doing it under the most severe pressure, in tournament conditions, in hard weather… so there won't be any professional [golf] for me."But I love the game. I love watching it, I love growing it and that's why we are here." Hopes for Harry - and for more Welsh players to come Bale has explained previously how he hopes a sporting festival set up in his name will help produce more top-class Welsh professional is short of golfing stars right now, though Harry's qualification – courtesy of her win at June's Hulencourt Women's Open in Belgium – means the home crowd will have one player to cheer at hope is that, in time, many more Welsh players will follow Harry's lead by making a mark in professional golf."Everybody behind the scenes, with my golf championship, with Wales Golf, we are trying to promote golf, to get more kids playing golf," he says."Hopefully in the future we will see more players like Darcey playing in these majors and hopefully winning them." Bale reckons experience of Porthcawl will be a "bonus" for Harry, who missed the cut as she made her major debut at the recent Evian Championship."She is going to be very nervous but I am sure she is going to relish the opportunity, and hopefully she will have a bit more knowledge on the course than the rest," Bale for who will emerge victorious, Bale believes the weather conditions will be significant."If it's calm, the Americans maybe come into it a bit more," he says."But if the wind blows and it gets a bit cold and wet, then I think the British, the Europeans, will come into it a bit more."It's difficult to say, but someone's going to have to play very well to win here."
