Tiger Woods: looking forward to playing the Portrush course.
Derry can cash in on the massive tourism potential of the British Open Golf Championship being staged in Portrush, Foyle SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood has said.
Confirmation that the world’s largest golf tournament will he held at the North Coast venue – a 45-minute drive from Derry – is expected next week.
It is the first time since 1951 the Northern Ireland and the County Antrim course will have hosted The Open.
The staging of the tournament in Portrush in 2019 has been greeted as a “real boost for tourism” with an estimated 200,000-plus visitors expected turn up to watch the world’s leading golfers in action.
Mr Eastwood said news that one of the world’s biggest sporting events was to be held less than 40 miles “up the road” was “fantastic news” for Derry’s tourism industry.
Foyle SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood.
He added: “The event will once again give the North West a sterling opportunity to promote its superb tourism offering on the world stage and further establish Derry and as a top international destination.”
Mr Eastwood said the potential economic benefits of the Open being hosted at Portrush could be reaped in Derry w”ell after” the golfing superstars and the world’s media had departed.
He concluded: “The legacy of hosting the historic competition will ensure that not only Portrush but Derry and the entire North West can enjoy a sustainable boost in golf tourism which is a vital component of the local tourism industry.”
US star Tiger Woods said he was looking forward to playing the North Coast course.
He said: “As far north as I have been is Royal County Down… but it would be pretty incredible.”
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