by Gordon Dalgleish on August 2, 2011
An interesting article raised the possibility of the Irish Open heading to Royal Portrush as soon as 2013 as a first step towards the Open Championship returning at some future time.
Given the current business, economic and political climate plus cadre of significant golfers from Northern Ireland there is a very strong emotional argument for the Open to return to Royal Portrush. There is little dispute that the venue is a world class links course admired and enjoyed by many. The challenge must surely be the sheer size that the Open has become. In the same way that there is a risk associated with the logistics of returning the U.S. Open to Merion due to the logistics of the event (notwithstanding the length of the course), Royal Portrush will have to satisfy any number of concerns before we are likely to see the Open being held there.
From a golf travel perspective an Open Championship would have an enormous impact on golf and tourist traffic to Northern Ireland, indeed I think it reasonable to say that the possibility of a return to Portrush has a greater ongoing impact to tourism than the Ryder Cup being hosted at the K Club.
I would like to see the Open returning to Portrush but that is an emotional perspective and far from considering all of the implications which doubtless the R & A will carefully ponder. It seems that if this long-shot were to ever occur (much like 3 major winners from Northern Ireland in the space of 13 months!), the Irish Open is a needed first step in the process.
by PerryGolf Staff on July 6, 2011
Tiger Woods has pulled out the Open Championship at Royal St George’s as he continues to struggle to recover from the knee injury he sustained at this years US Masters. The news will come as a big blow to the event, the organisers and fans alike. In a statement, Woods said: “Unfortunately, I’ve been advised that I should not play in The Open Championship. As I stated at the AT&T National, I am only going to come back when I’m 100 per cent ready. I do not want to risk further injury. That’s different for me, but I’m being smarter this time. I’m very disappointed, and want to express my regrets to the fans at The Open Championship.”
by PerryGolf Staff on December 6, 2010
One of the biggest tournaments on the European Tour calendar is set to move venue in a bid to lure some of the world’s biggest stars. The tournament, which is held the week before The Open Championship, is currently based at Loch Lomond GC and has been there since 1996. Loch Lomond is one of the best courses in the world but as it is a parkland style course; some bigger name players prefer to practice on a links course the week prior to the Open Championship. There has been speculation as to who the main contenders are and it seems as though it has been narrowed to 2 potential candidates – Castle Stuart near Inverness or The Renaissance Club in East Lothian. The Renaissance Club is the more mature of the two, having been open for two seasons, a pretty remarkable stat for the two main contenders for this highly regarded event.
by PerryGolf Staff on July 8, 2010
This years Open Championship at St Andrews will be the 150th anniversary of the event and to mark this, the R & A have arranged for a special 4 hole Past Champions Challenge. All living past champions will be present with the exception of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Price, Johnny Miller, Kel Nagle, and (sadly) Seve Ballesteros.
The 4 hole event holds special significance for me as my granddad, Willie Aitchison, has caddied for 2 Open Champions – Robert Di Vicenzo and Lee Trevino. He was ‘on the bag’ for Di Vicenzo when he won at Royal Liverpool in 1967 and won back-to-back Opens with Trevino at Royal Birkdale in 1971 and Muirfield in 1972. The pairings for the event have still not been announced but it would be special if Di Vicenzo and Trevino were paired together.
by Cameron Reid on July 7, 2010
Prestwick Clubhouse and 18th Green
Prestwick Golf Club is one of the most recognized names in the world of golf. A private members club founded in 1851 that become birthplace for the Open Championship when first played in 1860. Indeed this year marks the 150th anniversary of the first championship being played and a members dinner is planned with past Open Champions in attendance to mark the occasion. A recent round over this wonderful links venue reinforced my belief that the members and club staff equally provide one of the friendliest visitor experiences you will encounter on a visit to Scotland. The Clubhouse is delightfully traditional and full of character with great memorabilia for those with a keen interest in the history of golf.
by PerryGolf Staff on July 4, 2010
Although Seve is making steady progress and showing positive signs in his recovery from multiple operations to remove a tumour from his brain, he has been advised by his doctor not to travel to St. Andrews in July.
It is the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship, and a special 4 hole exhibition tournament over the 1st, 2nd, 17th, and 18th on the Old Course at St Andrews has been arranged for past champions on Wednesday 14th July; the day before the Open begins. Seve’s doctor advised that he should not be put under any undue stress or find himself in any situations which are potentially emotional – the thought of Seve playing the 4 holes with 3 other past champions and thousands of fans following him would definitely have been an emotional situation!
