Tourism Northern Ireland hosts The 153rd Open Patrons’ Golf Day

More than 50 attendees were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to play the course prior to the Championship, which will take place from July 13-20.

Those who attended the event were key golf tour operators from across the island of Ireland and GB as well as representatives from the media, industry and stakeholders from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The R&A, the organisers of The 153rd Open, also attended.

When The Open was last held at Royal Portrush in 2019, it became the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, delivering a combined economic and media benefit of more than £100 million to the region. 

Six years on, it is estimated by Sheffield Hallam University that The 153rd Open this July, which will be attended by more than 270,000 visitors, will deliver a combined economic and media benefit of £213 million.

George Diamondis, Golf Marketing Manager at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “The return of The Open to Royal Portrush this summer will once again highlight the exceptional golf offer we have here in Northern Ireland.

“The golf day today was about bringing the golf tourism industry and buyers from across the region together to play the course which will host the Championship and discuss how to best maximise the opportunity the event will bring.

“It is an incredibly exciting time and working with the industry and buyers to ensure we meet the expectations of the international visitors is vital to continue the growth in this thriving sector.”