Golf Ireland has welcomed the Irish Government's announcement of a decision to proceed with the bid to host the Open and AIG Women's Open at Portmarnock Golf Club. The final decision to support the bid will depend on discussions between the R&A and Portmarnock Golf Club.
Earlier this year Golf Ireland announced the launch of the Major Events Legacy programme. The aim of this is to benefit major golf events held in Ireland from 2024 to 2027. These events include the Open, The Ryder Cup, Men's and Women's Irish Opens, The Walker Cup and the Amateur Championships.
This week's announcement provides further encouragement that more major golf events may be heading to Ireland and that the range of opportunities could be even wider.
“Golf Ireland welcomes the latest developments. Should Portmarnock host these major events, it would be an opportunity to further Irish Golf and the wider sporting scene here,” said Mark Kennelly, CEO of Golf Ireland.
“The Open is one of the biggest sports in the world. We were very fortunate that Royal Portrush hosted The Open so successfully in 2019 and we look forward to returning there next year. Portmarnock's ability to host the AIG Women's Open and The Open will strengthen the growth of the game in Ireland.
“Portmarnock is a historic place for golf. This iconic Irish course recently hosted Men's and Women's Novices. It has also proudly hosted many Irish Opens and The Walker Cup. This course will be a fitting test for the best players in the world.”
In 2019, Portmarnock hosted the Amateur Championship with Irish golfer James Sugrue taking a famous victory, and this summer the links of County Dublin welcomed another successful category of The Women's Amateur with American golfer Melanie Green taking the title after a week of testing.
“We are delighted with the caliber of AIG Women's Open for the first time on the island of Ireland,” said Kennelly.
“Golf Ireland is very committed to growing more participation in golf among women and girls and the potential of the AIG Women's Open being held in Ireland would be a great opportunity to help encourage more women's participation in the game of golf.
“AIG has also been a partner in Ireland for over 25 years and has helped us continue to grow the game.”
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