Latest news with #northcoast
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Open return to Royal Portrush may come 'sooner than we think' believes Tourism NI chief
As we finally catch our breath after a sensational week of golf at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, the question on everyone's lips can we do it all again? The return of one of the world of sport's most iconic championships to Northern Ireland in 2019 was huge given the 68-year wait to have the great and the good of golf battling it out for the Claret Jug back on these shores once more. But you could sense the anticipation for more after Shane Lowry's triumph around the Dunluce Links, and just six years later we have been treated to an absolute sporting spectacular on the north coast. READ MORE: Rory McIlroy's behaviour behind the scenes brought up as Open star speaks out READ MORE: Rory McIlroy was told 'wife knows' as Open rival explained why they hated each other From Rory-mania, to the impeccable surroundings of Royal Portrush, to Scottie Scheffler's relentless pursuit of his fourth major, you got a sense that everything had been cranked up a few more notches and boy was it great to see. Yes we didn't get the win many of us were hoping for, but those lucky to be there in the record crowds were treated to some sensational golf in glorious sunshine. Those stunning pictures of thousands lining this legendary links course framed by the beautiful beaches and Atlantic Ocean were beamed to millions around the world. It's bound to have a positive effect on tourism not just on the north coast but Northern Ireland as whole. That was not lost on Tourism NI CEO John McGrillen who was asked the all-important question by the BBC about when The Open will return once more. "The feedback from the R&A is that this has been an absolutely outstanding success and I think there's absolutely no doubt that this competition will be back in Portrush at some future point, maybe sooner than we might think," he said. "They didn't say that, that's my assumption, but certainly from their perspective and our perspective at Tourism NI, and from all of the partners we work with, things really could not have gone better." Rory McIlroy is certainly hoping it's a case of sooner rather than later as he wants to be part of The Open at Royal Portrush at least a couple more times in his career. "Hopefully I'll have one or two Opens left here, if the R&A decide to keep coming back, probably one while I'm still competitive and another one while I'm more grey than I already am," he said. "It's just been incredible to come back here and to play and at least feel like I had a chance today going out there. Just an awesome week. "It's only been six years since 2019. I'm not sure Portrush is going to have The Open every six years, that would be nice, but I would obviously love it to keep coming back."
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Fun on the fairways as tens of thousands descend on Portrush for The Open
It was fun on the fairways in Portrush as tens of thousands flocked to the north coast to see the world's top golfers tee off on the first day of The Open. The crowds included actor James Nesbitt, US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly. While anticipation was high to see returning hero Rory McIlroy in action, during the wait there was an opportunity to recreate his famous television clip chipping golf balls into a washing machine. McIlroy was a primary school child in 1999 when he appeared on UTV's Kelly show as a promising youngster showing off his skills with the trick. Ms Little-Pengelly, herself a keen golfer, was among those who tried the 'chipping it like Rory' challenge. Despite the watching crowd, the deputy First Minister showed no sign of pressure as she took a moment to carefully line up the perfect shot, which resulted in the ball deftly landing in the drum. Breaking into a huge smile she punched the air amid cheers. The crowds, ten deep in places, endured heavy rain showers in the early afternoon before the sun finally broke through not long before McIlroy himself appeared at the first fairway. You could have heard a pin drop as people stretched every sinew and used all possible vantage points to get a glimpse of the Holywood man taking his first shot of the tournament. Almost 280,000 fans snapped up tickets for the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, which will be the second best attended in history. Among them on Thursday were Lilian Kennedy and Norman Kennedy from Coleraine, and her niece Tracey Bradley from Dungannon, with Karl Holmes, originally from south Wales. They said they were delighted to see some of the biggest names in golf, including McIlroy, as well as Shane Lowry, who won The Open last time it was held in Portrush in 2019. It was Mrs Kennedy's birthday, and she was enjoying the experience thanks to Ms Bradley, who gave her the ticket for The Open as a birthday gift. 'I couldn't have asked for anything better than that, a great birthday present,' she said, giving her niece a hug. Mr Holmes said they had been there all week and it had been 'fantastic'. 'It's great, the facilities are fantastic, we haven't seen much today because of the weather, but I saw Rory McIlroy right in front of me yesterday which was fantastic,' he said. 'Good old brolly,' he added, in reference to the rain. Mr Kennedy laughed and said it had been hard to see much with all the umbrellas earlier, before the sun re-emerged, but praised the good atmosphere. Gene Fleming, Bart Lewis, Brian Halloran and William Bell, friends who had been fraternity brothers at Eastern Kentucky University in the US, said they were enjoying the true European golf experience with the rain. Mr Lewis said it was his second Open, after attending the 150th at St Andrews in Scotland. 'It was awesome so we came back, and so far so good,' he said. 'Actually when we were in Scotland the weather wasn't bad at all, so I wanted to experience a British Open that had the actual weather, that's part of it. 'The weather does seem to have a bigger play in the tournament result (in the UK compared to tournaments in the US), but I do enjoy the hospitality in Europe all over, I think it's a great place, we've had a fantastic time.' Mr Fleming said they had loved the experience of playing golf in the rain on the island of Ireland themselves, before the Open tournament. 'What's so amazing is that if we had this weather in the United States, the complaining and carrying on at the golf course would be unbearable, but there is no sympathy here, the weather is the weather, we're learning about it, we played two rounds in it, enjoyed it thoroughly,' he said. 'We got great weather one day and we got the whole Irish experience the other day. 'We loved it, I'll never forget it, I'm so glad I came here. My mother's maiden name of O'Brien, so I've got some Irish in me.'
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fun on the fairways as tens of thousands descend on Portrush for The Open
It was fun on the fairways in Portrush as tens of thousands flocked to the north coast to see the world's top golfers tee off on the first day of The Open. The crowds included actor James Nesbitt, US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly. While anticipation was high to see returning hero Rory McIlroy in action, during the wait there was an opportunity to recreate his famous television clip chipping golf balls into a washing machine. McIlroy was a primary school child in 1999 when he appeared on UTV's Kelly show as a promising youngster showing off his skills with the trick. ⛳️💥Deputy First Minister @little_pengelly 'chipping it like Rory' here at the Open. Passing the club to First Minister @moneillsf with a laugh- "But you play golf🤣🤣" Great atmosphere as play gets underway today. — Cool FM News (@newsoncool) July 17, 2025 Ms Little-Pengelly, herself a keen golfer, was among those who tried the 'chipping it like Rory' challenge. Despite the watching crowd, the deputy First Minister showed no sign of pressure as she took a moment to carefully line up the perfect shot, which resulted in the ball deftly landing in the drum. Breaking into a huge smile she punched the air amid cheers. The crowds, ten deep in places, endured heavy rain showers in the early afternoon before the sun finally broke through not long before McIlroy himself appeared at the first fairway. You could have heard a pin drop as people stretched every sinew and used all possible vantage points to get a glimpse of the Holywood man taking his first shot of the tournament. Almost 280,000 fans snapped up tickets for the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, which will be the second best attended in history. Among them on Thursday were Lilian Kennedy and Norman Kennedy from Coleraine, and her niece Tracey Bradley from Dungannon, with Karl Holmes, originally from south Wales. They said they were delighted to see some of the biggest names in golf, including McIlroy, as well as Shane Lowry, who won The Open last time it was held in Portrush in 2019. It was Mrs Kennedy's birthday, and she was enjoying the experience thanks to Ms Bradley, who gave her the ticket for The Open as a birthday gift. 'I couldn't have asked for anything better than that, a great birthday present,' she said, giving her niece a hug. Mr Holmes said they had been there all week and it had been 'fantastic'. 'It's great, the facilities are fantastic, we haven't seen much today because of the weather, but I saw Rory McIlroy right in front of me yesterday which was fantastic,' he said. 'Good old brolly,' he added, in reference to the rain. Mr Kennedy laughed and said it had been hard to see much with all the umbrellas earlier, before the sun re-emerged, but praised the good atmosphere. Gene Fleming, Bart Lewis, Brian Halloran and William Bell, friends who had been fraternity brothers at Eastern Kentucky University in the US, said they were enjoying the true European golf experience with the rain. Mr Lewis said it was his second Open, after attending the 150th at St Andrews in Scotland. Dunluce Links @royalportrush is one of the most challenging golf courses in the world. It's also one of the most beautiful. @USAmbIreland Edward Walsh and I joined tens of thousands of fellow Americans at the 153rd @TheOpen Championship to cheer on our golfers! — Ambassador Warren Stephens (@USAmbUK) July 17, 2025 'It was awesome so we came back, and so far so good,' he said. 'Actually when we were in Scotland the weather wasn't bad at all, so I wanted to experience a British Open that had the actual weather, that's part of it. 'The weather does seem to have a bigger play in the tournament result (in the UK compared to tournaments in the US), but I do enjoy the hospitality in Europe all over, I think it's a great place, we've had a fantastic time.' Mr Fleming said they had loved the experience of playing golf in the rain on the island of Ireland themselves, before the Open tournament. 'What's so amazing is that if we had this weather in the United States, the complaining and carrying on at the golf course would be unbearable, but there is no sympathy here, the weather is the weather, we're learning about it, we played two rounds in it, enjoyed it thoroughly,' he said. 'We got great weather one day and we got the whole Irish experience the other day. 'We loved it, I'll never forget it, I'm so glad I came here. My mother's maiden name of O'Brien, so I've got some Irish in me.'
BreakingNews.ie
17-07-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Northern Ireland's leaders hail return of The Open to Portrush
Northern Ireland's First and deputy First Ministers have hailed the return of The Open as showcasing the region to the world. During a visit to the first day of the golf tournament at the Royal Portrush Golf Club Michelle O'Neill said they were lucky to see it return after it was staged there in 2019 following a 68-year absence. Advertisement Ms O'Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly were among an estimated 50,000 spectators who descended on the north coast town on Thursday for what has been described as the biggest sports event in terms of spectators held in Northern Ireland. R&A chief executive Mark Darbon with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Minister for the Economy Caoimhe Archibald, at Royal Portrush. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. 'It's great to be here again, to have The Open back with us again, and just in terms of what it means for us, in terms of the economic potential, so many visitors that come in person, millions that get online to watch what's happening as well. 'So I think that it's such a positive event for us, and we're so lucky to have it back in the north west,' Ms O'Neill. 'It showcases all that's good about us. I think it very much sends a message that we're open for business and I think that when people tune in and they'll see this beautiful part of the world, they'll know that the island is amazing, they should want to come here and we will very much will be promoting that message.' Advertisement Ms Little-Pengelly described a 'real opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland' with a 'huge global audience watching'. 'Seeing the beauty of what's here, seeing how professional the set-up is here, and hearing about Northern Ireland,' she said. Ireland's Shane Lowry on day one of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Ireland Little-Pengelly 'saddened and disappointed' by can... Read More 'That's huge because, of course, in a very crowded marketplace, when it comes to trying to attract that investment, attract that tourism, attract that high-value golf tourism as well, actually getting the opportunity at the likes of The Open with that really, really huge global audience, is that really good unique opportunity for us. 'I know that Tourism NI and Invest NI are really trying to maximise the opportunities of this tournament being here, the biggest sporting event, as I understand, in terms of spectators that we've ever held in Northern Ireland.' Advertisement
ABC News
27-06-2025
- ABC News
Police muster cattle in fraud investigation over stolen wagyu embryos
The police rural crime team mustered more than 500 cattle on the NSW north coast as part of an investigation into stolen wagyu cows. Police have arrested a 34 year old man, alleged to have stolen purebred embryos and semen from his employer. Supplied: NSW Police Media
