TV show Golf’s Greatest Holes last week began filming ‘The Open Special’, a new Series devoted entirely to the challenging 18 holes at Royal Portrush Golf Club and intended for broadcast across the world ahead of its staging of The 153rd Open Championship next July.
Among those joining show hosts Paul McGinley and Chris Hollins to play selected holes on the spectacular Dunluce Links for the new six-part series is local favourite and honorary club member Darren Clarke, who won the Open Championship in 2011.
“I’m thrilled to be involved in portraying the wonderful golf holes at Royal Portrush in the new series of Golf’s Greatest Holes, because in my eyes they all qualify for that description on the Dunluce Links,” said Clarke, who drove off on the first tee – just as he did for the opening shot of The Open’s return to Northern Ireland five years ago.
In the coming weeks, several other island of Irish stars and golf-loving celebrities are due to take part in the series, which is supported by Tourism Ireland to further highlight Northern Ireland’s world class golf and destination offering and promote the highly rated course, where Irishman Shane Lowry lifted the Claret Jug in 2019.
“We’re very proud to have the new series focus its attention on the entire Dunluce Links, which is in marvellous shape right now and its condition is as good as I’ve ever seen it in my 25 years at Royal Portrush,” said Head Professional Gary McNeill.
This latest series of Golf’s Greatest Holes will be the first to include more than one hole selected from a course by former Ryder Cup captain and TV presenter Paul McGinley, after featuring individual holes at 30 courses on the island of Ireland during Series 1, including the 2027 Ryder Cup venue Adare Manor. It will be broadcast in more than 180 countries, including the USA, China and Australia, as well as being premiered on Sky Sports in the UK.
“Having a legend of the game and one of the best exponents of Links golf in the modern era like Darren make an appearance in the show is the icing on the cake for this one-off Series about a very special golf course,” said McGinley, who stressed the importance of creativity around the greens when playing at Royal Portrush.
Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain, said: “As excitement builds for the return of The Open to Royal Portrush in 2025, Tourism Ireland is delighted to support the production of this exciting six-part TV series, ‘Golf’s Greatest Holes – The Open Special’. With a huge number of viewers set to tune in when the series airs on Sky Sports, we’re presented with a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on Northern Ireland’s world class golf and destination offering and encourage British golfers and holidaymakers alike to visit Northern Ireland for their next trip.”
‘The Open Special’ Series – filmed using 4k super high-definition cameras and drones – has a new headline sponsor in the form of Ci Global, a pioneering electrical technology company which is transforming fire safety and provides smart energy solutions. It’s also being supported by Your Golf Travel, the leading specialist travel agency, top-selling electric trolley company Motocaddy and premium hi-tech apparel brand Galvin Green.
Since its launch in 2021, the first Series of Golf’s Greatest Holes has reached an estimated 1bn non-unique households in 189 countries, thanks to repeated screenings by more than 40 broadcasters and many airlines around the world. It’s also engaged with some 50 million digital viewers, as well as a significant number of social media audiences.
More details about the Series can be found at www.golfsgreatestholes.com.