NI Conservatives’ co-chair, Trevor Ringland, has described news that Royal Portrush golf course will stage The Open championship as “wonderful news for Northern Ireland and another example of local sport leading the way”.
“It’s incredibly exciting that the greatest tournament in world golf will be coming back to our shores for the first time since 1951”, Trevor remarked. “The R & A’s decision secures Royal Portrush’s reputation as one of the best courses in the world and The Open will again put Northern Ireland on the map, for all the right reasons.”
“In the wake of the Irish Open, the World Police and Fire Games and the Giro d’Italia, we’ve shown that we can deliver some of the biggest sports events on the planet. Arguably, The Open is the most significant coup so far and it provides an unparalleled opportunity to market Northern Ireland to the rest of the world.”
“Tourism is vital for our economy and sport can play a big role in driving tourism. There are now five years for everyone to pull together, not only to deliver a memorable tournament, but also to secure a lasting legacy, which can bring ever greater numbers of visitors, golfing and otherwise, to spend their money and create jobs in Northern Ireland.”