Portrush Ulster Unionist Councillor, Alderman Norman Hillis, has expressed his hope that the unprecedented success of The Open last week will ensure that the R&A agrees to a swift return to Royal Portrush.

Alderman Hillis said:

“The Open has been an unbelievable boost for Portrush and the whole of Northern Ireland. As a resident of Portrush, and with a business in the town, I might be accused of being a bit biased, but having met so many visitors from all over the world visiting the Causeway Coast and Glens Council area, I have no doubt of the hugely positive impact of The Open. Night after night, a positive image of Northern Ireland was beamed across the world into homes in the USA and as far away as Japan, providing advertising that we could once only dream of. Ten years ago I remember doing a TV interview at the Blue Pool in Portrush and saying that The Open should return to Portrush. Some thought it would never happen, but it just did. And it was great.

“It demonstrates that if we in Northern Ireland put our mind to it and work together, we can have a huge impact. Credit must go to our international ambassadors on the world stage - Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Pádraig Harrington, who played such a pivotal role in bringing The Open to Portrush, to all the staff and members of Royal Portrush, including greenkeepers and volunteers, PSNI, Tourism NI, Translink, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, the local people and spectators alike who embraced the event, other statutory agencies and indeed the politicians from all parties who worked together to make this happen. The feedback I received from any foreign visitors was always hugely positive. It was an absolutely fantastic success story. And last but not least, well done to all the golfers who participated in making it a spectacular sporting spectacle and in particular, the Champion golfer, Shane Lowry.

“I look forward to watching The Open in Portrush again sooner rather than later. It should be an easy decision by the Royal and Ancient for The Open to return swiftly to Royal Portrush given the event`s unprecedented success last week. Northern Ireland needs more days like this.”