Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has welcomed the news that the 2012 Irish Open Golf Championship is to be held at Royal Portrush.
Mr Swann who represents North Antrim and is the Ulster Unionist Party’s Sports spokesperson said;
“It will be the first time a major golf competition has been staged in Northern Ireland since 1953 and will be a great boost for both Northern Ireland Golf and our tourist trade.
As a links course Royal Portrush is second to none and is the home course of both 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell and 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke. Their recent successes plus Rory McIlroy’s 2011 US Open win mean that Northern Ireland’s standing in the world of golf is at an all-time high.
In addition, the Royal Portush course enjoys a fantastic setting on the beautiful Causeway Coast, and I have no doubt that in addition to the tens of thousands of visitors who will be attracted to the event, literally millions more will be captivated by the scenery which will be beamed backed to their homes via television. If we market this properly we can capitalise not only on golf tourism but on general tourism and encourage people to come and see the beauty of this part of the world for themselves.
The north coast is certainly in for a tremendous year of sport with the North West 200 motorbike races in in May and the Milk Cup football competition in July. The Irish Open in July completes a wonderful hat-trick and we must now focus attention on attracting the Open itself.”
