Portmarnock to host The Open?

Fann Linn

Heard this earlier today and inadvertently thought it was the Irish Open they were on about. After listening again on 6.1 I see it’ is The Open they are after.

Personally speaking I’d be in favour of it, however part of me also thinks that if that happens it will detract from the Irish Open that same year which is currently making some strong strides forward.

waterwelly

I'm sure I've heard this proposal bandied about before.

Presumably schedule the Irish open before it as a warm-up event / event in its own right.

It's been held in Northern Ireland recently and again soon so the Irish open still has to work alongside it.

FixdePitchmark

They could do with just holding an open to start .

Wouldn't really support the government supporting them in any way..they make no contribution to Irish golf or wider local community.

Xander10

I'd love it to happen

big_drive

I don't particularly like the idea of it. I just feel if it's the British Open it should be played in Britain. I could get over Portrush and see the reasoning behind it but not sure about this.

lbunnae

It's such an odd idea , and I think it would be overshadowed by a lot of people moaning from all angles to be honest.

spacecoyote

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121206847#Comment_121206847

It's The Open, not The British Open though

big_drive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121207230#Comment_121207230

I know but I just feel it should be played in Britain. Like if that's the case why not start moving all over and play it in Spain, Portugal, etc.

thewobbler

There are no negatives to an Irish course hosting the Open Championship.

None.

Silver-Tiger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121208360#Comment_121208360

This.

You'd want to be asking yourself some questions if you have a problem with a major championship being held in The Republic of Ireland.

Portmarnock now looks like the only chance of this happening in most of our lifetimes. Brilliant course and I wonder would they incorporate some of the yellow 9 into it to allow for greater infrastructure.

They don't lose too much to the sea. 1 and 15 being the obvious exceptions.

The only problem is the one way/road in and one way out but make it happen. A week of pain for a massive boost to Irish golf and the economy.

Shank Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121208360#Comment_121208360

Yes there is - more yanks more encouragement for greedy Irish courses to jack up prices further- like they need any more encouragement

thewobbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121211375#Comment_121211375

If you’re not willing to pay €300 for Portmarnock then whatever they can deem to add on after that is irrelevant.

Glass half full nonsense.

The oldest and (in my opinion) greatest golf competition of all is interested in spreading its wings into Ireland. Looking for negatives from this scenario is just such an alien concept to me. Like winning money you never had a right to win and worrying about having to give some of it to the taxman.

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058317093/portmarnock-to-host-the-open

the Irish Open has been on a steady decline in recent years. It was once one of the biggest events on the European Tour, now it's pretty much an also-ran event.

willabur

I live within a couple mins drive of the course, would be tempted to stick the house up on AirBNB

Anyone have any memories of irish opens held in portmarnock. How did they manage the footfall before? One narrow lane in and out of the course. Close to a Dart Station. I remember seeing a photo with hundreds of cars parked on either the links or yellow course out there.

FixdePitchmark

As mad as this sounds I wonder could a 2nd temporary road be built on beach or using service road in the old Portmarnock Links course meaning you have a 2nd route

Golfgraffix

There are a few massive fields near Malahide golf club that could stage parking and bus in from there

ShivasIrons

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121202797#Comment_121202797

Portmarnock have in the past and continue to make some of the biggest contributions to Irish golf.

willabur

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121246533#Comment_121246533

There isn't space. They'll need to widen the existing road to allow two way traffic. roads to and from malahide golf course are also very tight but you could operate a 1 way system for the week thats in it

thewobbler

If it’s possible to hold an Open Championship in the land that infrastructure planners, hotel operators and transport providers all forgot (Portrush) , then Portmarnock cannot present a challenge, surely?

Hoboo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058317093/portmarnock-to-host-the-open

Just when you think Portmarnock couldn't possibly have any more notions.

They should try holding a club open for GUI members first.

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121207706#Comment_121207706

The Open Championship comes under the auspices of the R&A. Golf Ireland are members of the R&A, the Spanish, Portugese federations et al are not.

ShivasIrons

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121249928#Comment_121249928

There are plenty of ways to play Portmarnock. It is not closed to non members.

big_drive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121250787#Comment_121250787

Fair enough. I still find it completely silly the idea of it being played in a country outside of Britain.

Dr Turk Turkelton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121251998#Comment_121251998

If Portmarnock host The Open Championship it's still being played in the British Isles though.

slave1

I can't see any dilution of The Open with it being held in Portmarnock, this may just be an opening gambit and a long game, they would need to host at least one seamless Irish Open before being even considered