Golf fever hits Portrush ahead of golf tournament

The finishing touches are being made in Portrush as the town prepares to welcome Rory McIlroy and the golfing world for The Open championship.

The Open is being held from 17-20 July with four official practice days beforehand and tickets for all eight days are sold out as ‘Open fever’ grips the north coast.

One of the main car parks in the seaside town has already closed and is being turned into a TV compound for international broadcasters.

However, the closure of the East Strand carpark, which is popular with beach walkers and sea swimmers, has led to complaints.

Members of Royal Portrush golf club will also no longer be allowed to play the course after Sunday, to protect the fairways and greens.

Around 270,000 spectators are expected during the eight days of practice and play next month.

The fact that the East Strand carpark has closed already, three weeks before the tournament, has caused some annoyance.

Jonny McCarron from Causeway Coast and Glens Council told BBC News NI: “The council totally understands the frustration there.

“But the carpark is being used as a key cog in the machinery of putting on this Open championship.”

“Through the media and through this wonderful event, there will be pictures of this part of the world shown in hundreds of millions of homes around the world,” he added.

Pupils from Portrush Primary School were given a tour of the first tee, the 18th green grandstand and practice facilities on Wednesday.

One of them, Martina, 10, said: “The grandstand surprised me, I didn’t think it would be that big.”

Gary McNeill, head professional at Royal Portrush, showed the pupils around but public access will soon end.

He said: “From Monday, the course is essentially shut but it’s available for any competitors who want to play before the official practice starts.

“Everything is ready. It’s all in great shape.”

The world’s top golfers will arrive next month and those who played at The Open in Portrush in 2019 will not see many changes, on or off the course.

There are some tweaks to tees and fairways, and more corporate hospitality boxes but no major alterations.

Tourism NI has estimated that golf tourism is worth almost £70m to the economy annually.

Extra buses and trains are being organised by Translink as organisers of the tournament, the Royal & Ancient (R&A), have urged spectators to use public transport if possible.

Park and ride facilities will also be available.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry won The Open at Portrush in 2019 amid raucous scenes of celebration on the 18th green.

Rory McIlroy’s recent victory in the Masters means he will be the focus of attention when the four-day tournament begins on 17 July.