Latest news with #The153rdOpen
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
St Andrews golf hotel group boss on building global business
Name: Euan McGlashan Job title: Global co-founder & CEO What is your business called? Valor Hospitality Partners Where is it based? Atlanta in the US is our global HQ, with regional offices in Manchester in the UK, Cape Town in South Africa, and Dubai in the UAE. What does it do? Operator of newly opened St Andrews hotel, Seaton House, Valor Hospitality Partners is a leading full-service hospitality underwriting, acquisition, development, management, and asset management company. Along with the Seaton House opening, Valor also oversaw the opening of its sister hotel in Northern Ireland, Dunluce Lodge, earlier this year. Overlooking the fourth fairway of Royal Portrush, home of The 153rd Open, Dunluce Lodge and Seaton House occupy some of the most prestigious golfing real estate anywhere on the planet. To whom does it sell? Our clients are masterbrands, real estate developers, REITs (real estate investment trusts), family offices, brokerage companies, hotel guests, travellers, diners . . . How many employees? Over 8,000 'Hotelitarians'. What attracted you to your current role and what were you doing before? I started as a reluctant entrepreneur and now call myself a serial entrepreneur because I never anticipated creating something like Valor. I started the company in the basement of my home after leaving a role that wasn't sustainable. I've been in the hospitality industry since I was 16, starting out by peeling vegetables and washing pots. I quickly worked my way up to a management position at a young age but have been in every role you can imagine so I am deeply embedded in all facets of the business. Throughout my journey, I discovered a genuine passion for serving others, which has remained central to my approach. What do you least enjoy? While I truly enjoy the travel and the energy it brings, it's not always glamorous. Staying deeply connected with every region we operate in can be demanding, and navigating different time zones definitely adds its own set of challenges. What do you consider to be the main successes of the business? We love to make guests and colleagues alike feel better about who they are. At Valor, we are proud of our deep-rooted expertise in the hospitality industry. As we continue to be revolutionary, we have embraced a new tagline that better reflects who we are and how we operate: 'A Whole World of Local'. This is more than just a tagline – it is the guiding principle to our success. It also includes how Valor is committed to supporting local businesses in the areas we operate in. For example, Seaton House in St Andrews has benefitted greatly from working with some amazing local suppliers. We also don't like the term 'employee' or 'staff', so our team members are 'Hotelitarian'', which we have actually defined and trademarked as a word. Hotelitarians are driven by bringing others together from all walks of life – not just to travel but to experience new places, spaces and cultures for a more compassionate world through the art of hospitality. What are your ambitions for the firm? For Seaton House our goal is to compete with the best and grow into becoming the number one hotel in the market: staying humble with low ego but striving to excel. Excellence in food and beverage, excellence in golf, obsession about guest experience, understanding we have a captive market. It will always only ever be about the details – millions of them daily. Looking ahead, one of our key goals is to double the size of our portfolio in the coming years – empowering and nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders along the way. A legacy company that reaches new heights. What are the challenges facing the sector and market, and what could be done to overcome or address these? The sector currently faces several key challenges, including rising labour costs, the ongoing need for staff training, increasing operational expenses, maintaining high quality standards, and keeping pace with ever-evolving trends. These pressures are constant and demand resilience and adaptability. To effectively address these challenges, it starts with trust and a strong set of core values embedded in the organisation's culture. For us, that foundation is captured in our mantra: striving to 'Do the simple things, brilliantly'. By focusing on consistent execution and valuing progress over perfection, we empower our teams to grow sustainably. What single thing would most help? Unity among teams. Having a team you can always trust that always has each other's back. What is the most valuable lesson you have learned? People are not against you, they're for themselves. Understand that and you understand life. What was your best moment? On a daily basis, I'm thankful that I was blessed with tenacity and willpower – that's helped Valor become a business I'm incredibly proud of. What has been your most challenging moment in life or business? Risking everything to create Valor. I had a family I needed to provide for and, with no income, it was one of the most challenging moments in my life– staying the course for two years living off my kids' college funds. How do you relax? I find staying active and consistent with my routine really helps me relax. I make time for the gym, cycling, hiking and even cold-water swimming when in South Africa. Being outdoors and moving my body helps me unwind, clear my head and maintain a positive mindset – it's a big part of how I take care of my mental health. I do love a great glass of wine, too, or a single malt from Islay when I'm at Seaton House. Read more What phrase or quotation has inspired you the most? Nelson Mandela has been my biggest role model for as long as I can remember, having met him many times while living in South Africa. The way he lived by the spirit of Ubuntu really speaks to me – that idea that being human is about showing compassion, understanding, reconciliation, forgiveness, and respect. 'I am who I am because of who we all are.' It's something I try to carry with me every day in how I treat others and navigate the world. What is the best book (fiction or non-fiction) you have ever read? Why is it the best? I do love The Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo. It's a great fable about life's journey and how you get ahead but always knowing how you treat people on the way up is important as you will meet the same people on the way down. I also like Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. It's a brilliant and simple read, but it has had a profound impact on how I approach life and stress. The biggest takeaway for me – and something I now share often when mentoring others – is the idea of perspective: when something is bothering you, ask yourself: 'Will this matter in a week? A month? A year?'. And I do love a fictional Wilbur Smith novel. Where do you find yourself most at ease? At home and in a safe place. Being around family, friends and loved ones helps you unwind. Having a core support system is incredibly important. If you weren't in your current role, what job would you most fancy? I always fancied being either an airline pilot or a wine maker. Leaving home at 16 with terrible grades was not ideal preparation to be an airline pilot and, candidly, I prefer just drinking wine! Although, I would have loved that life. What countries have you most enjoyed travelling to, for business or leisure, and why? I've been fortunate to travel extensively throughout my career, both for business and leisure. The UK, particularly Edinburgh where I grew up, will always be home. But another chapter of my life began when I had the opportunity to move to South Africa at such a young age. That experience opened my eyes to a completely different world, and in many ways, South Africa has become home as well. Cape Town and Edinburgh are my two 'happy' places. These global experiences have not only shaped who I am but also influenced my family and the direction we continue to grow in.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush set for record attendance outside St Andrews
History is set to be made at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, as The R&A announced a staggering 278,000 golf enthusiasts are expected to flock to the iconic Dunluce links from 13-20 July. This year's Championship promises to be the largest ever conducted outside of St Andrews. The event's return to Northern Ireland's Antrim coast has spurred unparalleled excitement in the wake of the 2019 tournament's triumph. Last year's ticket ballot saw demand soar, with over one million tickets requested. This year's attendance is poised to exceed the record previously set six years ago at the same venue when a crowd of 237,750 celebrated Shane Lowry's emphatic six-shot win over Tommy Fleetwood in The 148th Open. READ MORE: Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll drama forced golfer to make key decision about new romance READ MORE: Rory McIlroy knows Keegan Bradley's opinion after Masters win – 'It's ridiculous' Mark Darbon, Chief Executive at The R&A, expressed his enthusiasm: "The Open is one of the world's great sporting events and we will do everything we can to make this year's Championship at Royal Portrush an outstanding and memorable occasion for everyone involved from fans to players and the millions watching on TV and digital platforms worldwide." He further highlighted the vibrant local passion for golf: "The passion and enthusiasm for golf throughout the island of Ireland is world-renowned and is clearly reflected in the extraordinary demand among fans to be part of this historic occasion. We look forward to welcoming a record crowd to these spectacular links for a true celebration of golf and seeing who emerges from the 156-strong field to become Champion Golfer of the Year." The 153rd Open, set to be the largest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, is projected to generate over £213 million in total economic benefit for the country. This forecast comes from an independent study by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University. The SIRC estimates that the direct economic impact of The 153rd Open will be around £63 million. Additionally, the destination marketing benefit for Northern Ireland, resulting from coverage on linear television and digital platforms, is expected to surpass £150m. "It's clear that staging a major event such as The Open can generate significant economic benefits for the locations in which they are held and this study demonstrates the huge benefit that the Championship brings," said Dabon. Darbon expressed gratitude towards the government and local agencies in Northern Ireland for their investment and support in bringing the Championship back to Royal Portrush after the successful 2019 event. He praised their enthusiasm and expertise as crucial to the planning process. Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism Northern Ireland, shared her excitement with less than three months to go until The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. She said: "With less than three months to go until The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, excitement is building and all the partners involved in the delivery of the Championship are working in collaboration to make it even bigger and more memorable than 2019. "The Open in 2019 brought huge economic benefits, not just to the North Coast, but to the whole of Northern Ireland and 2025 will be no different. "It is shaping up to be another world-class sporting event which presents us with an invaluable opportunity to further raise Northern Ireland's profile as a must-see travel and golf destination as well as a fantastic place to invest." The Open continues to be one of the most accessible major sporting events for young people thanks to The R&A's long-running Kids Go Free initiative. More than 27,000 tickets are available for those under the age of 16 and there are reduced price tickets for fans under the age of 25. Since Kids Go Free was launched in 1997, 434,000 children have attended The Open for free. A record 89,000 spectators will attend the four sold-out Practice Days of The 153rd Open, exceeding the total of 61,000 fans who attended the equivalent days at Royal Portrush in 2019. The Open Camping Village continues to prove a popular accommodation option among families and young people with 4,600 guests booking a place to stay on-site this year. Almost a third (32%) of those staying at the village are under the age of 25 meaning that 20,000 free bed nights have been provided to this group since the initiative was launched at Royal Troon in 2016. Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
Irish Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Pro can't wait to see the magic of the Open return to Royal Portrush this summer
Charlene Reid, a Senior Assistant and PGA Professional at Royal Portrush hailing from Ballymoney, is eagerly awaiting the return of The 153rd Open to her home course this July. Looking back on the 2019 tournament, she described it as an unforgettable experience, saying: "The Open in 2019 was just phenomenal. It was honestly the best week of my life and I'm sure the same could be said for everyone who works at Royal Portrush." She further commended the community spirit that made the event so memorable, stating: "The whole week was such a success and what struck me was how everyone worked together to make the event as special as it could be – from the volunteers to the emergency services and the transport logistics around the town, everyone played their part brilliantly." Looking ahead, Charlene is enthusiastic about the lasting impact the upcoming championship will have, both in terms of encouraging golf participation and showcasing the Causeway Coast to a worldwide audience. Charlene, a seasoned golfer with a rich history in the sport, is well-placed to comment on the rising participation among young people and women. Raised in a family of golf enthusiasts, she joined Gracehill Golf Club at the tender age of 15, showing early signs of her determination to make a career in the sport. By 15, she was representing Ireland in Inter-Pro matches and eventually secured a scholarship at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina, USA when she was just 17. Balancing sports management studies with a demanding golfing schedule, Charlene participated in up to 10 tournaments annually. In her senior year, she was runner-up at the NCAA Nationals 2009 and was recognised as an All-American for her golfing achievements. In 2019, she was inducted into her university's Hall of Fame for her dedication and commitment to golf. Additionally, Charlene represented Ireland at the European Team Championships and Home Internationals from 2009-2011, playing amateur golf at an international level for three consecutive years. Upon her return to Northern Ireland, she joined the team at Royal Portrush, where she managed the club's successful Cadet Programme and held the position of Retail Manager. She shared: "When I started playing golf at Gracehill we had three junior girl players and I was the only one who played all year round, the others only played during the summer months. Now at Royal Portrush we have 60 junior girls and around 200 female members which is fantastic. "The participation levels are definitely on the rise. We have around 100 young people in our Cadet Programme aged between five and ten and they love to play golf. Part of my job also sees me outreach to local primary schools and I will visit them and provide golf lessons for the pupils. When you have huge world-class tournaments with the best players taking place on your doorstep, it really does generate excitement for the game and entice more young people to pick up a club. "I think after this summer we will see even more people taking an interest in playing golf. For me it's not about finding the next superstar like Rory McIlroy, it's about encouraging participation at grassroots level. When I was starting out, I had parents who were incredibly supportive. My dad used to drive me around the country for tournaments and I will be forever grateful for that emotional and physical support. At Royal Portrush we want to encourage young people into the game and give them fantastic opportunities to get involved in golf." Charlene believes that the rising popularity of golf influencers and the increased participation options in the sport are contributing to its appeal among the younger generation. She stated: "Seeing people doing tricks or just speaking about golf on platforms like YouTube and Instagram helps make it more accessible and of course we now have new technology like simulators which means you don't have to commit to walking around a course for four hours. For me anything which brings people to golf is to be encouraged and I am excited to see how many more young people start playing after this year's Open." Having played golf across the US, she is well-placed to comment on why Northern Ireland holds such appeal for international, particularly American, golf visitors. Recent figures from Tourism NI show that the economic impact of golf tourism has more than doubled in the last decade in Northern Ireland, rising from £33.6million in 2014 to £68.2million in 2023. She added: "It is literally a different ball game in America, you just don't get links courses like ours. For example, Royal Portrush was built in 1888 using minimal machinery, instead relying on the topography of the natural surroundings. Northern Ireland is made for golf and the whole experience of coming here to play is very special for visitors. It is not surprising that there has been such an increase in the number of people visiting from all over the world. "As well as the great courses, our people make The experience is truly memorable. We're a warm and friendly bunch, and visitors can't get enough of our cultural experiences – they love the lively atmosphere of our bars and making new friends on their nights out!" As a destination, Northern Ireland and the Causeway Coast is perfect. If you think about how The Open tickets are sold, it's rare for spectators to be at the course every day. "The Open in 2019 was just phenomenal. It was honestly the best week of my life and I'm sure the same could be said for everyone who works at Royal Portrush." When they're not at the course, they have amazing options such as playing a round themselves at Portstewart or visiting attractions like the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge or the world's oldest distillery at Bushmills. "As a golf destination we are world class and with new hotels such as Dunluce Lodge adding to the experience we can provide, it's a very exciting time for the Causeway Coast." In addition to two of the top ten ranked courses internationally - at Royal County Down and Royal Portrush - Northern Ireland boasts a rich golfing history and a range of spectacular courses for visitors to choose from. For example, the Faldo Course at Lough Erne Resort in County Fermanagh was recently named sixth in Golf World's Top 100 Parkland Courses in the UK and Ireland. With over 90 courses on offer, a perfect blend of links and parkland, golfers and visitors alike can enjoy the tremendous offering no matter where they choose to stay. For more about stay and play options in Northern Ireland, visit the website.
Belfast Telegraph
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Epic journey to The Open stops off in Portrush
This free public event will showcase Northern Ireland's growing reputation as a must-visit destination for golfers, while sports fans will have the chance to take photos with the world-famous Claret Jug. Tourism Northern Ireland teed off their Epic Journey at Belfast City Hall on Monday, before the drive to Kerr Street Green in Portrush on Friday (11am until 1pm), and then the short chip shot to Londonderry's Ebrington Square on May 7. It will also feature a stop in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on May 21 at O'Connor Square - the home of the 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry. With record-breaking numbers that year, The 148th Open at Royal Portrush was an overwhelming success story and there's no reason to doubt this summer's return to the famous Dunluce Links course – from July 13 to 20 – will be any different. The action was beamed to more than 100m viewers worldwide in 2019 and the championship generated over £100m in economic benefit for the region. Aine Kearney, Tourism NI director of events, said the championship created a tangible feel-good factor right across Northern Ireland when it last took place here. She said: 'Northern Ireland is ready to extend a giant welcome to thousands of visitors from around the globe for The 153rd Open and to showcase the stunning Causeway Coast, and beyond, to a worldwide television audience. 'Bringing the Claret Jug on this epic journey to The 153rd Open allows us all to get involved in the build-up and the excitement to what promises to be an unforgettable week. 'Northern Ireland is made for golf and hosting The 153rd Open solidifies our reputation as a destination for world-class golf, tourism and hospitality and allows us to showcase our rich culture, natural beauty and warm welcome to visitors from around the world.' The Epic Journey to The 153rd Open will also include a giant #TheOpen letter sculpture, designed by Tourism NI and made out of 4,000 golf balls, which was unveiled by global golfing hero, 2014 Open champion and recent Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy, ahead of the 2019 Championship.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
R&A chief provides fresh hope that The Open could one day return to Trump Turnberry
Top brass at the R&A have softened their stance with regards to Trump Turnberry hosting a future Open Championship. Chief executive Mark Darbon confirmed they would 'love to return at some stage' to the famous Ailsa course. However, Darbon measured his comments by highlighting the 'challenges' that would need to be overcome in terms of staging the Open at Turnberry, given its size, the area of the site and access to and from the venue. His comments are, however, in stark contrast to the ones made by his predecessor, Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, back in 2021. He previously stated: 'We have no plans to stage any of our championships at Turnberry and will not do so in the foreseeable future. 'We will not return until we are convinced that the focus will be on the championship, the players and the course itself and we do not believe that is achievable in the current circumstances.' At the time the statement was viewed as criticism of billionaire owner Donald Trump, who has owned Turnberry since 2014. However, speaking at the promotional launch of this year's Open, to be staged at Royal Portrush in July, Mr Darbon, appointed to the chief executive role of the R&A last year, his response was much more favourable. When asked if the US President's involvement with Turnberry was an obstacle to The Open returning, he said: 'I think the key issue for us at the moment is these logistical and commercial challenges. We're trying to explore ways to get around those and to mitigate for the future. 'Of course, when it comes to a championship like this, we also want the focus to be on the golf. So that's a factor, too.' Darbon also pointed out that history will be made at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush - after it was revealed that 278,000 fans will gather at the Dunluce links from 13-20 July for the largest Championship held outside of St Andrews. And with those numbers in mind, Darbon believes that infrastructure will be a key consideration if the Open ever did return to the Ayrshire venue. He said: 'Turnberry's a wonderful golf course and I think some of the recent improvements there have made it even better. 'It's a course that we'd love to return to at some point and I think when we look at our portfolio of venues, of which we're very proud, there are three or four things that inform our choices and where we go. 'We need brilliant courses that challenge the world's best golfers. 'Given the scale of a modern Open, we have to be really thoughtful about some of the logistical and commercial challenges and opportunities that come with staging an event like this. 'And we want to continue to tell wonderful stories about our championship and we have no doubt when it comes to Turnberry about the first and third of those factors, a brilliant golf course and a wonderful place to tell stories about our game. 'Where we have some challenges is around the logistical and commercial challenges. I think the last time we were there in 2009, we had just over 120,000 people. We just said we're going to have close to 280,000 here (at Portrush) this summer. 'That's really important for us because not only do we want to showcase this wonderful championship to as many people as possible, but it's important for us in terms of our commercial model because everything that we generate from the Open, we then reinvest back into the game all around the world. 'So we've got a few challenges at Turnberry. The road, rail and accommodation infrastructure presents some challenges if we wish to scale our operation there. 'But we've got a good dialogue with the ownership group and we'll continue to look at feasibility as we move forward. We'd love to return at some stage.'
