Irish Open 2017

martinkop

So with less than 4 weeks to go to the Irish Open, it is time for a thread:)

Who is going?
Where are people staying? What will access be like?
1 day or all 4?
Who will you follow?

Any tips for a newbie golf event attendee?

PS: Competition for chance to play in Pro:Am http://woobox.com/tiv4o9

newindublin

I am going for Sunday. Being new in Ireland, my wife and I are going to make a weekend of it. We are going to stay in Belfast and check out some other sights on Saturday, then drive up and go to the tournament on Sunday.

I have been to a few PGA events back in California, but no events here so I am not sure how different it will be. In the US, there are usually strict rules about what you can bring in to the event. Parking usually costs extra, and can be a nightmare if you are not pre-paid.

fearruanua

newindublin wrote: »

Parking usually costs extra, and can be a nightmare if you are not pre-paid.

Parking is usually free. Anytime I've been to the Irish open I have found that parking is very well organised, well maybe excluding one day in killarney when it took us an eternity to get out of the car park.

mike12

Is there a option to get a train from Belfast might be a better idea?
Super front 9 very interested to see what it looks like on TV looks like a decent field as well.

callaway92

Being from Tipperary, the Irish Open being up north kinda deserts me.

The ideal location for me is Killarney/Fota/Adare (to a lesser extent due to traffic congestion).

mike12

callaway92 wrote: »

Being from Tipperary, the Irish Open being up north kinda deserts me.

The ideal location for me is Killarney/Fota/Adare (to a lesser extent due to traffic congestion).

Totally disagree, it should be on a links course every year. We see players playing American style courses all the time, we have some of the best links courses in the world let's show them off.

callaway92

mike12 wrote: »

Totally disagree, it should be on a links course every year. We see players playing American style courses all the time, we have some of the best links courses in the world let's show them off.

I was saying it from a personal perspective to go and watch it.

NI is just too far from me

Hence in my post 'the ideal location for me'

benny79

Im debating weather to go for a day.. 4 hr+ drive from Dublin, but its once a year and a super field. I have a lot on in July so can't afford to stay overnight anywhere. Need my money for Liverpool because Im going to the Open did I mention that?

Regards parking theres normally a park and ride facilities in nearby towns which is extremely helpful traffic wise

martinkop

I'll be based in Inishowen for the weekend, so will get the foyle ferry across from greencastle and drive to Coleraine. I think there is free park and ride from there??

Only have a Saturday ticket, for now.

benny79

I think you can pay at the gate for each day as well usually ?5 dearer.

Russman

Is driving up the best/easiest/least hassle option going from Dublin (for one day) ?

kieran.

martinkop wrote: »

I'll be based in Inishowen for the weekend, so will get the foyle ferry across from greencastle and drive to Coleraine. I think there is free park and ride from there??

Only have a Saturday ticket, for now.

Dont the ferry has been running for a while now ?
http://www.derryjournal.com/news/future-of-foyle-ferry-service-not-looking-good-warns-councillor-1-7882899

Scratch that, I see it starting up again on the 1st of July......

I might do something similar myself

Rikand

callaway92 wrote: »

I was saying it from a personal perspective to go and watch it.

NI is just too far from me

Hence in my post 'the ideal location for me'

How about Lahinch or Ballybunion ?

callaway92

Rikand wrote: »

How about Lahinch or Ballybunion ?

Love Lahinch. That would be ideal

Wichita Lineman

I wont make it this year as I have a lot on currently and it's just a tad far for driving up and back from the midlands. Let's face it it's practically in Southern Scotland :D

I think that it should be on parkland courses some years and on links courses other years. We have superb courses in both 'genres' lets show them all off.

callaway92

mike12 wrote: »

Totally disagree, it should be on a links course every year. We see players playing American style courses all the time, we have some of the best links courses in the world let's show them off.

Jaysis.

8 likes on top of your post says not many people actually understood what I wrote.

I didn't complain about links courses one bit in my post.

ThunderCat

callaway92 wrote: »

Jaysis.

8 likes on top of your post says not many people actually understood what I wrote.

I didn't complain about links courses one bit in my post.

How dare you not live near a links course callaway92, how dare you.

ThunderCat

Wichita Lineman wrote: »

I wont make it this year as I have a lot on currently and it's just a tad far for driving up and back from the midlands. Let's face it it's practically in Southern Scotland :D

I think that it should be on parkland courses some years and on links courses other years. We have superb courses in both 'genres' lets show them all off.

Have to disagree there. Our parklands are nothing special at all. Don't get me wrong they are nice but there are superior courses to them played regularly enough. It's our links that makes us unique. And not just because we have them but because a hefty number of them are among the very best in the world. Also given the fact it is positioned a few weeks prior to The Open we have a better chance of attracting bigger names if they view the tournament as a solid warm up for a major.

fred funk }{

ThunderCat wrote: »

Have to disagree there. Our parklands are nothing special at all. Don't get me wrong they are nice but there are superior courses to them played regularly enough. It's our links that makes us unique. And not just because we have them but because a hefty number of them are among the very best in the world. Also given the fact it is positioned a few weeks prior to The Open we have a better chance of attracting bigger names if they view the tournament as a solid warm up for a major.

Was listening to a podcast and they were talking about this. The jist of it was that unless the Irish Open is the week before The Open then the yanks won't travel to it as they either have to travel back and forth to the states or stay for 3 weeks which they don't like doing.

Beaulieu

I see GUI website is offering a ?10 voucher off merchandise if you buy a ticket.
Feel conned having paid up last February with nothing offered at the time.

Wonder are they having difficulty in selling tickets given remoteness of location

Kevinmarkham

I find myself with bragging rights on this one... I'll be there for the whole four days, in a media capacity, writing for the Irish Examiner. Staying in Coleraine and using the park & ride facilities which start at 6am.

I also did photography of the course in April and May: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmarkham/albums/72157682730664090

Wichita Lineman wrote: »

I think that it should be on parkland courses some years and on links courses other years. We have superb courses in both 'genres' lets show them all off.

Following on from ThunderCat and FredFunk, the move to the prime slot ahead of the Scottish Open and then the Open Championship is very much driven by the availability of links golf. Two major warm up links events ahead of the Open is going to attract the big names... as is the €7 mill prize fund. Would the Irish Open have joined the Rolex Series if it had gone to Lough Erne as originally planned... who knows? But Rose, Rahm and Matsuyama are big name draws... and we may yet get an American visitor or two, so moving to Portstewart has proved hugely successful already.

If we were to move back to parklands (something I have no issue with, BTW) we might well lose the coveted July slot. Also, we should thank Rory McIlroy for all that he has done to raise the profile of and support our national Open. We would not be looking at the field or the date we have now if it wasn't for him.

Beaulieu wrote: »

I see GUI website is offering a ?10 voucher off merchandise if you buy a ticket.
Feel conned having paid up last February with nothing offered at the time.

Wonder are they having difficulty in selling tickets given remoteness of location

Not that I'm aware of, Beaulieu. There's still four weeks to go and while it is at the top of Northern Ireland, the Royal Portrush event in 2013 sold out.

Beaulieu

Wowsers Kevin -that photo set makes you feel as if you are on the tee. Fabulous!

Tom.D.BJJ

Whats the best way to get there for one day from Dublin?

Kevinmarkham

Tom.D.BJJ wrote: »

Whats the best way to get there for one day from Dublin?

It's a 3 hour drive (in regular driving conditions) from Dublin, so your best bet is to start planning using this link. I'd suggest getting to Coleraine and taking one of the shuttle buses. Belfast is also a possibility.

jamesbondings

I am heading up north for a "family getaway". Have my tickets for full fay Friday with grandstand seats for when we get tired towards the end of the day.
We are staying a fair distance away in Larne so a good drive that morning and evening. But we decided to make a trip of it.

Hope to get a round in too on a links course over the few days. Having never attended an open before I wonder about if we will be allowed backpacks (especially with what happened in Manchester and London recently) I want to bring wet gear just in case. Also is there a dress code? Like, on normal golf courses?

ronnie3585

Would love to go but it's a 5 hour drive on sh*te roads from Galway so I'll give it a miss this year.

Mantis Toboggan

I'll be giving it a miss also, it's an expensive day out and having it in Northern Ireland is a pain in the ass. Hopefully it's back down in the republic next year. Also, Bizarrely enough you get to see very little golf and not knowing what's going on. Best place to watch golf is on TV imo but I'll probably still head to next year for a day or two.

SEORG

Going to the golf on the Friday...I have a pair of day tickets that can be used on any day. We are bring the 2 kids also, they are both under 5. It could be a nightmare but hopefully the weather will be somewhat ok.

We are going to make a long weekend out of it. Heading up on Thursday, staying in a B&B in Ballymoney ( about 10K on the Belfast side of Coleraine). Stay again on the Friday night.

The only thing that I am not sure of is the viewing points for watching the golf on the course.

Tom.D.BJJ

I bought tickets and grandstand seats for the Friday too. I'm gonna drive up early AM, and do the park&ride thing. There's no details of the park and ride locations yet though?

jamesbondings

Tom.D.BJJ wrote: »

I bought tickets and grandstand seats for the Friday too. I'm gonna drive up early AM, and do the park&ride thing. There's no details of the park and ride locations yet though?

Not that I am aware of.. But all details will be released shortly I would imagine

martinkop

There was plans for P&R at Coleraine (university of Ulster) and at the NW500 paddock in portrush, but haven;t seen these confirmed

DuckSlice

heading up on the friday to this so should get to see everyone.

Playing somewhere near letterkenny on the thursday, have been recommended Rosapenna but not sure whether to play tom morris links or sandy hills!

thewobbler

etxp wrote: »

heading up on the friday to this so should get to see everyone.

Playing somewhere near letterkenny on the thursday, have been recommended Rosapenna but not sure whether to play tom morris links or sandy hills!

If the wind is up, Sandy Hills is a brute.

But it depends on what you're into. Sandy Hills is a proper golfing experience and will most likely leave a few scars along with the memories.

Tom Morris is a pleasant round and not the most testing of courses (as Links golf goes anyway!) but unless you're one of those purists who loves over analysing design, it isn't really an experience.

Kevinmarkham

SEORG wrote: »

The only thing that I am not sure of is the viewing points for watching the golf on the course.

Top suggestion... there is a walkway between the 8th tee and above the 3rd tee which will have excellent views.

You'll get views like this if you move around a bit:
Holes 2 and 3
The 5th green
The 7th hole

Kevinmarkham

Tom.D.BJJ wrote: »

Whats the best way to get there for one day from Dublin?

Tom.D.BJJ wrote: »

I bought tickets and grandstand seats for the Friday too. I'm gonna drive up early AM, and do the park&ride thing. There's no details of the park and ride locations yet though?

jamesbondings wrote: »

Not that I am aware of.. But all details will be released shortly I would imagine

Transport links now confirmed: https://www.translink.co.uk/irishopen/

jamesbondings

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Transport links now confirmed: https://www.translink.co.uk/irishopen/

I WAS going to drive up from Larne. But with a bus the missus can keep the car and I can have a few beers.... This is gonna be a great few days haha.

martinkop

Cabrera-Bello confirmed now too

three putt

I have 2 tickets for Sunday that I received as a gift, but unfortunately I can't make it. Anyone interested, send me a PM. Face value £45 each.

Deeper Blue

Heading up for the weekend with a few friends, booked accommodation in Derry city.

I'm just wondering do people familiar with the course reckon it'll make a good spectator's course i.e. are there many good vantage points, greens that may be inaccessible, etc.

I usually try to walk the course at least once per day so looking forward to seeing a course I know nothing about. The field is looking strong so far so all we need is the weather to behave.

Kevinmarkham

NDWC wrote: »

Heading up for the weekend with a few friends, booked accommodation in Derry city.

I'm just wondering do people familiar with the course reckon it'll make a good spectator's course i.e. are there many good vantage points, greens that may be inaccessible, etc.

I usually try to walk the course at least once per day so looking forward to seeing a course I know nothing about. The field is looking strong so far so all we need is the weather to behave.

2 suggestions:
- there's a spectator path behind the 2nd green and there are places to sit (in the dunes) where you can watch approach shots to 2, tee shots back down 3 and possibly tee shots off 8. You can see a fair bit of the course from here.
- there will be a stand on (literally) the par three 6th. I'm told that if you get to the very top of the stand you can see five holes (4, 5, 6, 7 and 12).

marvin80

Interesting move:

"For the first time ever at a European Tour event, spectators will be allowed to take photos of the action on their mobile phones as part of a pilot scheme being trialled by the European Tour at the Portstewart event next week.

Mobile phone photography is now permitted in all areas of the course every day from Tuesday July 4 to Sunday July 9. Video capture however will still be restricted to non-competition areas.

However, whilst the policy towards taking photos on mobiles has changed there are still some rules that spectators need to be aware of…

1) Make sure that your camera flash is OFF!

2) Mobile phones must remain on silent at all times.

3) Phones can only be used for talking within the dedicated phone areas on site

4) Whilst you can now take photos on your mobile phone, recording videos is only allowed in non-competition areas

5) At all times, please be respectful of play and considerate to other spectators

6) Photos are only allowed to be taken on mobile phones and not other types of camera equipment"

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/irishopen/irish-open-organisers-want-spectators-to-get-snap-happy-with-mobile-phones-35884600.html

Deeper Blue

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

2 suggestions:
- there's a spectator path behind the 2nd green and there are places to sit (in the dunes) where you can watch approach shots to 2, tee shots back down 3 and possibly tee shots off 8. You can see a fair bit of the course from here.
- there will be a stand on (literally) the par three 6th. I'm told that if you get to the very top of the stand you can see five holes (4, 5, 6, 7 and 12).

Thanks a million, we'll definitely try those. Much appreciated.

Deeper Blue

marvin80 wrote: »

Interesting move:

That seems like a recipe for disaster imo, why change the way it was? What exactly are they gaining from allowing them?

fullstop

NDWC wrote: »

That seems like a recipe for disaster imo, why change the way it was? What exactly are they gaining from allowing them?

Less hassle than having marshals constantly telling people to put them away as people will do it anyway

fred funk }{

NDWC wrote: »

That seems like a recipe for disaster imo, why change the way it was? What exactly are they gaining from allowing them?

More publicity. Think of all the facebook/snap chat/whatsapp shares. Worth a chance if it raises the status of the competition.

marvin80

fred funk }{ wrote: »

More publicity. Think of all the facebook/snap chat/whatsapp shares. Worth a chance if it raises the status of the competition.

That's massive part of it I think.
I hope it's a success and doesn't cause too much hassle.

Minderbinder

How are they going to know if someone is taking a photo or video?

fullstop

Minderbinder wrote: »

How are they going to know if someone is taking a photo or video?

They're not.

Armchair Andy

The Indo had a pull out today given to the Irish Open. Surprised to see Dubai Duty Free are "only" footing €2 million of the €7 million prize pool.
Whos footing the rest anyone know?

CMOTDibbler

Armchair Andy wrote: »

The Indo had a pull out today given to the Irish Open. Surprised to see Dubai Duty Free are "only" footing €2 million of the €7 million prize pool.
Whos footing the rest anyone know?

A bunch of sponsors including Allergen, BMW, Rolex, Emirates and Bank of Ireland.

martinkop

I know its subject to change and TV scheduling but anyone got a rough idea of what 1st tee times will be on Sat? Are we talking 7am/or 9am??