Politics

Open Championship could be played at Portmarnock under proposals to be considered by Government

Cabinet agrees to explore potential bids to bring the two high-profile golf competitions to Dublin

Ireland's Shane Lowry finished in sixth place at the 152nd British Open Golf Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland Photograph: Getty Images
Cormac McQuinn
Wed Jul 24 2024 - 11:19

Proposals to bring The Open Championship golf tournament and the AIG Women’s Open to Portmarnock Golf Club are to be considered by the Government.

Minister for Tourism and Sport Catherine Martin got approval from Cabinet to explore potential bids to bring the two high-profile golf competitions to Dublin.

The Open Championship was held at the Royal Troon golf club in Scotland last week. American Xander Schauffele won the championship lifting the Claret Jug at the weekend.

The tournament is organised by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R & A) which also organises the AIG Women’s Open.

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The Open Championship has never been held outside the UK. It was previously hosted at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland in 2019 and it is due to be staged there again next year.

A statement from the Department of Tourism and Sport said that any final decision by Government to support the bid to host The Open “is subject to a positive outcome to discussions that will take place with The R & A and Portmarnock Golf Club over the summer period and to a positive economic impact assessment.

“The Ministers anticipate that a recommendation will be brought to Government in the autumn.”

Portmarnock elected its first female members in the club’s 128-year history in 2022.

Ireland has successfully bid for major golf tournaments in the past with the Ryder Cup being held at the K-Club in Kildare in 2006 and due to take place at Adare Manor, Co Limerick in 2027.

The 2011 Solheim Cup women’s tournament was held in Killeen Castle Co Meath in 2011.

The Department said: “The Open is the oldest and most prestigious golf championship in the world and its hosting in Portrush in 2019 was a tremendous success across the island.

“The potential significance of hosting The Open outside the UK for the first time cannot be understated and it would present a key opportunity to deepen ties and broaden a shared sporting narrative on both a North-South and East-West basis.”

[ Challenges of hosting The Open at Portmarnock ‘not trivial’, says R&A chief ]

Ms Martin said: “Hosting both of these championships as recognised Open venue courses, with Government support, would have a positive impact on closing the gender participation gap in sport, and boosting women’s participation and equality in golf.”

She added: “Ireland is a leading destination for golf, and this would also increase Ireland’s reputation as a world centre for golf if we were to host these major tournaments on the island at Portmarnock and Portrush.”

Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne welcomed the Government decision to engage with The R & A on the possibility of hosting the tournaments.

He added: “Ireland has consistently demonstrated its ability to host world-class major international sports events and I am confident that this will be case for the AIG Women’s Open and The Open should this bid proceed successfully.”

Cabinet was also updated on the new major international sports events strategy.

The strategy is designed to identify the type of major sporting events Ireland can and should bid for and how they can be used to increase tourism and participation in sports.

It sets how hosting major sports events come with risks and costs and while some could be suitable for Ireland to host with the potential to deliver economic and sporting benefits, others may not be.

Cormac McQuinn

Cormac McQuinn

Cormac McQuinn is a Political Correspondent at The Irish Times