Sunday 20 July 2014

Foster: Rory Open victory major boost to NI tourism

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster has said Rory McIlroy's record breaking Open Championship victory is a major boost to golf tourism in Northern Ireland.

Arlene Foster said: “Rory McIlroy's impressive victory at the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool has once again put Northern Ireland firmly in the centre of the media spotlight for all the right reasons. It was wonderful to see him lift the famous Claret Jug and become the first golfer in nine years to win the Championship 'wire to wire', having led the field after every round. He has also become the first European golfer and only the third player in the modern era - after Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus - to win three of the four majors by the age of 25. 

"Rory is a tremendous ambassador for Northern Ireland and today’s historic result will present even more opportunities to tell the world what makes this place so special. He said this week that bringing The Open Championship back to Portrush was the best decision the R&A has ever made - and of course I agree with him. It will be the biggest sporting event ever held here and will showcase our golfing tourism product to a wider audience than ever before.

“With the mouthwatering prospect of the Irish Open in 2015 and 2017, and The Open Championship possibly as early as 2019, things have never looked better for golfing tourism in Northern Ireland. With that in mind, we will continue to work hard to promote Northern Ireland as a ‘must play’ destination for both the serious and casual golfer.”

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