As the outgoing chief executive of R&A, Martin Slumbers, has asserted, the practical and infrastructural prerequisites for Portmarnock Golf Club to host The Open are “far from insignificant”. Portmarnock has initiated discussions with the Government in order to secure financial backing for hosting the esteemed golf event at the links in North Dublin, a plan that Slumbers states the R&A are fully endorsing.
A crucial aspect of the process involves arranging for the transportation of spectators to and from the peninsula. Given its compact nature, the logistics pertaining to moving such a large crowd are quite complex. It’s not simply about ensuring people are treated well, but safety and health considerations are equally critical. These are among the matters that await resolution, mentioned Slumbers.
Should Portmarnock be approved, it would be the first location outside the UK to host The Open. The timeline for this event, potentially following the AIG Women’s Open, seems to be several years in the future.
Notable championship supporter Pádraig Harrington suggests that hosting The Open at Portmarnock would reinforce the global reach of the competition and the R&A’s international prowess. This could potentially pave the way for the tournament to be held in countries like Australia in the future. Harrington does however foresee that the earliest the event could fit into the schedule would be 2030 when his exemption as a past champion expires at age 60.
The championship is slated to return to Royal Portrush in Co Antrim next year, the location of Shane Lowry’s win in 2019. The ticket lottery for the Portrush event is now open but will close on 31st July.
Regarding the 2019 event at Royal Portrush that drew a crowd of 237,750 during the week, Slumbers mentioned that it paved the way to a fresh market, beneficial for both golf and commerce. During this event, it is approximated that a fifth of the ticket revenue came from the US market. He foresees that hosting a tournament at Portmarnock could induce an analogous situation. However, this hinges on the successful conclusion of current talks between the club and the government concerning fiscal backing, along with figuring out practical solutions for logistics.