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Irish Examiner
26-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Report: Golf contributes €7m annually to Irish economy
New Golf Ireland research the sport contributes €717 million annually to the Irish economy and supports 15,600 jobs. Conducted by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, in collaboration with The R&A, the study assesses consumer spending, Gross Value Added (GVA), employment and tax revenues. The report indicates that in 2023, golf activities contributed €717 million in direct economic value to the Irish economy, marking significant growth. This is fuelled by increased participation, strong club membership, and a recovery in golf tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic. Golf-related consumer spending reached €703 million, averaging €100 per head of population. Club memberships accounted for €143 million, or 20% of all golf expenditure. Golf directly supports approximately 15,600 jobs across Ireland, while the sport generates €277.6 million annually in taxes from consumption, income and corporate profits. 'These findings highlight golf's major economic role here, underscoring our sport's ability to drive growth and create employment across Ireland. Through initiatives like Get into Golf, Unleash Your Drive and iGolf, we are actively working to make golf more accessible and inclusive, ensuring its continued appeal,' said Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly. 'We are particularly encouraged by the growth in golf tourism and event attendance, which signals a strong future for golf as both a sport and a key driver of economic activity in communities throughout the island of Ireland.' The return of The Open to Royal Portrush next month is set to deliver a further boost to the Northern Ireland economy. In 2019, The 148th Open generated more than £100 million of economic benefit for Northern Ireland, according to the study. Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: 'We have seen the benefits that golf brings in many other parts of the world but what this research makes clear is that golf makes a substantial contribution to the economy of Ireland and positively impacts the wider community in numerous ways. 'The continuing strength of the golf sector throughout Ireland and the efforts of Golf Ireland to encourage more people to take up the sport are hugely impressive. The staging of global sporting events such as The Open can help to catalyse further growth in the sport and The R&A will continue to play its part in helping to maintain that momentum.' The report identifies opportunities for future growth by encouraging higher female participation, investment in infrastructure, and leveraging Ireland's international reputation as a world class golfing destination. 'Golf is a significant industry in Ireland, which might otherwise go under the radar were it not for the Satellite Account research,' said Professor Simon Shibli, Director of the Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University. 'It is an industry that has grown impressively since our 2017 study, based on 2014 data. The fundamentals are in place for future growth in economic impact, notably in the form of invisible exports from visitors coming to play or to watch golf.'
RTÉ News
26-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Golf contributes €717m to the Irish economy annually
Around one in ten adults on the island of Ireland play golf at least once a year, with the sport contributing €717 million annually directly to the economy as well as supporting 15,600 jobs, according to a new study from Golf Ireland. The research, carried out in collaboration with global golf body the R&A, looks at the impact of golf across areas such as consumer spending, employment, gross value added, and tax revenue. Conducted in 2023, it found the €717 million figure marked significant growth fuelled by increased participation, strong club membership, and a recovery in golf tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic. The study says that consumer spending from the sport reached €703 million (€509m in ROI and £170m in NI) in 2023, averaging €100 per head of population. It suggests that €1 in every €200 spent in the economy on the island is related to golf. It also notes that club memberships alone accounted for €143 million, or 20% of all golf expenditure. Meanwhile, it estimates that golf generates over €277 million annually in taxes from consumption, income, and corporate profits. Golf Ireland Chief Executive Mark Kennelly said the findings "highlight golf's major economic role here, underscoring our sport's ability to drive growth and create employment across Ireland. "Through initiatives like Get into Golf, Unleash Your Drive, and iGolf, we are actively working to make golf more accessible and inclusive, ensuring its continued appeal." Mr Kennelly added that the organisation is "particularly encouraged" by the growth in golf tourism and event attendance on the island of Ireland. £100m boost from 2019 Open Championship Golf Ireland, which is the sport's governing body for the island of Ireland, says the return of The Open Championship to Royal Portrush next month will provide a significant economic boost. Research from the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University (which also conducted the latest Golf Ireland study), determined that the 2019 Open held at Royal Portrush in 2019 generated more than £100 million for the economy in the North. While estimates suggest the hosting of the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Limerick could contribute more than double that figure to the Irish economy. Opportunity to grow female participation in golf The Golf Ireland report further identifies opportunities for future growth by encouraging higher female participation, investment in infrastructure, and leveraging Ireland's international reputation as a world class golfing destination. Director of the Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Professor Simon Shibli said golf in Ireland "is an industry that has grown impressively since our 2017 study, based on 2014 data. "The fundamentals are in place for future growth in economic impact, notably in the form of invisible exports from visitors coming to play or to watch golf."
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
How much is St. Andrews worth to the Scottish economy? The dollar figure is shocking
How much is St. Andrews worth to the Scottish economy? The dollar figure is shocking Visitors traveling to St. Andrews to play golf are worth the equivalent of hosting three Open Championships in Scotland every year, according to new research. The study by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University found that visitors and their families who come to play the Old Course and six others managed by St. Andrews Links Trust generate about $430 million annually for the Scottish economy. This supports 4,300 full-time jobs across the country. Researchers calculated the amount visitors spent directly on golf in St. Andrews as well as on hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and local travel providers. St. Andrews Links - whose other courses include the New, Jubilee, Castle, Eden, Balgove and Strathtyrum courses - welcomes an average of 2,000 playing visitors every week. Around 72% of those visitors come from overseas, with the USA (40%) and Canada (6%) being the key markets. A further 28% of visits were from the UK, with the remaining 26% coming from elsewhere. Across visitors from all locations, 84% said they were 'likely or very likely' to return in the future. More: Golfweek's Best 2025: The top 50 classic courses in Great Britain and Ireland 'This is the first such study looking solely at the impact of golf in St. Andrews on the town and the wider Scottish economy," said Neil Coulson, chief executive of St. Andrews Links Trust. 'It clearly shows the massive impact on the town and that our visitors are delivering a boost to communities across Scotland each and every year. This impact has probably been undervalued in the past. 'The unique place that St. Andrews holds as the lifeblood and source of the sport means that both golfers and non-golfers want to come here and experience this place for themselves. But this only works if we continue to invest in our facilities and in ensuring we strive for excellence in customer experience.' St. Andrews Links Trust is a charity with all of its revenue reinvested into the sport, facilities and in community initiatives across the region. For every $1 that passes through the tills of St. Andrews Links from visitors, an additional $4.65 is generated for other businesses in the town. "Scotland has a proud reputation as the birthplace of the game and St. Andrews is home to many links courses, not least the Old Course, which are the envy of the world," Scottish Business Minister Richard Lochhead said. "This report hits home the scale of the benefits we all reap from the trust's courses, alongside the broader impact of golf tourism, which boosts the economy by £300 million every year and supports around 5,000 jobs. "I commend the Trust for all it does to sustain and grow the game and I'm looking forward to the return of The Open to St Andrews in 2027, which, backed by Scottish Government funding, will further increase our standing as a first-class host of major events." Of the 283,000 rounds played on the seven St. Andrews Links courses in 2023, 152,000 (54%) were played by visitors to St. Andrews. More than half of visitors combined their St. Andrews Links trip with a visit to another iconic layout in Scotland, the most popular being Kingsbarns (29%), Carnoustie (25%), Dumbarnie (15%) and Crail (14%). Vicki Miller, chief executive of VisitScotland, added: 'This comprehensive study showcases the important role golf plays in Scotland's visitor economy, with St. Andrews standing at the heart of this as a globally recognised asset. 'Scotland continues to be the destination of choice for golfers worldwide, and beyond the course, our renowned hospitality, culture, and heritage offer a truly distinctive and enriching experience for all who visit. We welcome this research, which reinforces Scotland's reputation as a world-leading tourism and events destination.' Professor Simon Shibli, from Sheffield Hallam University, said: 'Economic impact studies tend to look at the effects of one-off major sport events. For St. Andrews Links Trust we have had the opportunity to investigate the economic impact of a permanent year-round golf business. "Using gold standard methods to interview over 2,400 golfers, our research reveals a significant asset to the Scottish economy, which has arguably not been fully appreciated. St. Andrews Links Trust is not only a thriving business in its own right, it is also a catalyst for considerable tourism and employment benefits.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush set for record attendance outside St Andrews
History is set to be made at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, as The R&A announced a staggering 278,000 golf enthusiasts are expected to flock to the iconic Dunluce links from 13-20 July. This year's Championship promises to be the largest ever conducted outside of St Andrews. The event's return to Northern Ireland's Antrim coast has spurred unparalleled excitement in the wake of the 2019 tournament's triumph. Last year's ticket ballot saw demand soar, with over one million tickets requested. This year's attendance is poised to exceed the record previously set six years ago at the same venue when a crowd of 237,750 celebrated Shane Lowry's emphatic six-shot win over Tommy Fleetwood in The 148th Open. READ MORE: Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll drama forced golfer to make key decision about new romance READ MORE: Rory McIlroy knows Keegan Bradley's opinion after Masters win – 'It's ridiculous' Mark Darbon, Chief Executive at The R&A, expressed his enthusiasm: "The Open is one of the world's great sporting events and we will do everything we can to make this year's Championship at Royal Portrush an outstanding and memorable occasion for everyone involved from fans to players and the millions watching on TV and digital platforms worldwide." He further highlighted the vibrant local passion for golf: "The passion and enthusiasm for golf throughout the island of Ireland is world-renowned and is clearly reflected in the extraordinary demand among fans to be part of this historic occasion. We look forward to welcoming a record crowd to these spectacular links for a true celebration of golf and seeing who emerges from the 156-strong field to become Champion Golfer of the Year." The 153rd Open, set to be the largest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, is projected to generate over £213 million in total economic benefit for the country. This forecast comes from an independent study by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University. The SIRC estimates that the direct economic impact of The 153rd Open will be around £63 million. Additionally, the destination marketing benefit for Northern Ireland, resulting from coverage on linear television and digital platforms, is expected to surpass £150m. "It's clear that staging a major event such as The Open can generate significant economic benefits for the locations in which they are held and this study demonstrates the huge benefit that the Championship brings," said Dabon. Darbon expressed gratitude towards the government and local agencies in Northern Ireland for their investment and support in bringing the Championship back to Royal Portrush after the successful 2019 event. He praised their enthusiasm and expertise as crucial to the planning process. Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism Northern Ireland, shared her excitement with less than three months to go until The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. She said: "With less than three months to go until The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, excitement is building and all the partners involved in the delivery of the Championship are working in collaboration to make it even bigger and more memorable than 2019. "The Open in 2019 brought huge economic benefits, not just to the North Coast, but to the whole of Northern Ireland and 2025 will be no different. "It is shaping up to be another world-class sporting event which presents us with an invaluable opportunity to further raise Northern Ireland's profile as a must-see travel and golf destination as well as a fantastic place to invest." The Open continues to be one of the most accessible major sporting events for young people thanks to The R&A's long-running Kids Go Free initiative. More than 27,000 tickets are available for those under the age of 16 and there are reduced price tickets for fans under the age of 25. Since Kids Go Free was launched in 1997, 434,000 children have attended The Open for free. A record 89,000 spectators will attend the four sold-out Practice Days of The 153rd Open, exceeding the total of 61,000 fans who attended the equivalent days at Royal Portrush in 2019. The Open Camping Village continues to prove a popular accommodation option among families and young people with 4,600 guests booking a place to stay on-site this year. Almost a third (32%) of those staying at the village are under the age of 25 meaning that 20,000 free bed nights have been provided to this group since the initiative was launched at Royal Troon in 2016. Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
Irish Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Record numbers to attend The 153rd Open at Portrush to watch bid for Claret Jug
The Open at Portrush will host the largest championship ever held outside of St Andrews. The Dunluce Links will be the venue for the 153rd Open, marking the championship's return for the first time since Shane Lowry's emotional victory there in 2019 when he won by six shots over Tommy Fleetwood. This year's championship takes place between July 13 and 20, with The R&A today confirming that 278,000 spectators will attend between practice and tournament days on the county Antrim coast, as new Masters champion Rory McIlroy and Lowry return to home shores in a bid to win the Claret Jug. The success of the 2019 hosting led to unprecedented demand for tickets in the ballot last year, with applications for more than one million tickets. The attendance this year will surpass the previous high mark set at Portrush six years ago when 237,750 fans celebrated Lowry's first major victory in The 148th Open. Mark Darbon, Chief Executive at The R&A, said: 'The Open is one of the world's great sporting events and we will do everything we can to make this year's championship at Royal Portrush an outstanding and memorable occasion for everyone involved from fans to players and the millions watching on TV and digital platforms worldwide. 'The passion and enthusiasm for golf throughout the island of Ireland is world-renowned and is clearly reflected in the extraordinary demand among fans to be part of this historic occasion. "We look forward to welcoming a record crowd to these spectacular links for a true celebration of golf and seeing who emerges from the 156-strong field to become Champion Golfer of the Year.' It will be the largest ever sporting event held in Northern Ireland and is expected to generate more than £213 million in total economic benefit for the country, according to an independent forecast by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University. It estimates that the economic impact resulting from The 153rd Open will be £63m (€73.3m), while the destination marketing benefit for Northern Ireland derived from coverage produced via linear television and digital platforms will exceed £150m (€174.5m). 'It's clear that staging a major event such as The Open can generate significant economic benefits for the locations in which they are held and this study demonstrates the huge benefit that the championship brings,' said Darbon. 'We are grateful to the government and local agencies in Northern Ireland for their investment and support in bringing the Championship back to Royal Portrush after the success of 2019. "Their enthusiasm and expertise has been crucial to our planning and we thank them for the work they have contributed towards making this possible.' Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: 'With less than three months to go until The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, excitement is building and all the partners involved in the delivery of the Championship are working in collaboration to make it even bigger and more memorable than 2019. 'The Open in 2019 brought huge economic benefits, not just to the North Coast, but to the whole of Northern Ireland and 2025 will be no different. 'It is shaping up to be another world-class sporting event which presents us with an invaluable opportunity to further raise Northern Ireland's profile as a must-see travel and golf destination as well as a fantastic place to invest.' Thanks to The R&A's long-running Kids Go Free initiative, more than 27,000 tickets are available for under-16s and there are reduced price tickets for fans under 25. Since Kids Go Free was launched in 1997, 434,000 children have attended The Open for free. A record 89,000 spectators will attend the four sold-out practice days of The 153rd Open, exceeding the total of 61,000 fans who attended the equivalent days at Royal Portrush in 2019. The Open Camping Village continues to prove a popular accommodation option among families and young people with 4,600 guests booking a place to stay on-site this year. Almost a third (32%) of those staying at the village are under the age of 25 meaning that 20,000 free bed nights have been provided to this group since the initiative was launched at Royal Troon in 2016.
