As excitement builds for The Open 2025 at Royal Portrush, a group of top-tier golf media from Spain, the US, Great Britain, and Ireland have visited the North West this month to experience the region’s world-class golf courses first-hand.
Organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council in partnership with Visit Derry, the media familiarisation (FAM) trip will welcome 10 leading golf journalists and broadcasters to explore some of the finest parkland and links courses in Derry and Donegal, just a short drive from Royal Portrush.
The trip highlighted the North West as an unmissable golfing destination and showcased its spectacular landscapes, renowned hospitality, and vibrant cultural scene.
The itinerary included City of Derry Golf Club, Strabane Golf Club, Portstewart Golf Club, Greencastle Golf Club, Dunfanaghy Golf Club, and Portsalon Golf Club – a mix of championship links and scenic parkland courses that offer a world-class golfing experience.
Speaking about the upcoming visit, Odhran Dunne, Chief Executive of Visit Derry, said: “The Open at Royal Portrush will shine a global spotlight on Northern Ireland’s golf scene, and as the city with the shortest drive to the Open in 2025 we want to ensure that we maximise this unique opportunity.
The city is the perfect base with its rich history and lively nightlife to attract golf enthusiasts and firmly establish the North West as a must visit region on the island.
This media trip is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our outstanding golf offering, our unrivalled location, LegenDerry Food and renowned hospitality.
“We are confident that our visiting media will leave with a lasting impression of the North West as a world class destination, and this will support our efforts to grow golf tourism to the region”.
Echoing this, Joy Browne, Head of Tourism at Donegal County Council added: “Donegal is home to some of the most spectacular and challenging golf courses in Ireland.
“By bringing international golf media here, we are reinforcing our reputation as a bucket-list destination for golfers looking for an unforgettable experience.
“With The Open 2025 just around the corner, there has never been a better time to showcase our courses to the world.”
The trip will also introduced media to the wider North West experience, including local gastronomy, vibrant nightlife, and cultural highlights.
Guests enjoyed award-winning hospitality at the Bishop’s Gate Hotel and Ebrington Hotel in Derry and the Shandon Hotel in Donegal, alongside exclusive dining experiences and traditional Irish music sessions in Derry’s famous Peadar O’Donnell’s Pub.
With the Wild Atlantic Way meeting the Causeway Coastal Route, the North West offers golfers not just a place to play, but a place to stay, explore, and enjoy.
This project has been made possible with support from the North West Development Fund.
For more information on golf in the North West, visit: www.bestofnorthwestireland.com/golf
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