Open Championship week is the highlight of the UK golfing summer and Tourism Ireland displayed its continued commitment to the game by being at the forefront of events taking place at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Leading names from areas of the golf industry including equipment manufacturers, travel companies, television, radio and national and regional newspapers and magazines converged on England’s north-west coast for the week where they were treated to some legendary Irish hospitality.
In addition to supporting the annual Association of Golf Writers’ dinner two days before the action began on Royal Lytham’s famous links, Tourism Ireland was on hand to co-host an Open industry party with Golf Monthly magazine 24 hours later.
Taking place at The Dalmeny Hotel in Lytham St Annes, more than 150 invited guests were given the opportunity to meet up and discuss the latest events in the game, while enjoying some first-class entertainment including food, drink and live Irish music and learning more about Ireland as a golfing venue.
David Boyce, head of business and sports tourism for Tourism Ireland, said: “The Open Championship is a key time for everyone involved in golf and provides a great opportunity to open and develop relationships.
“We were delighted to have the chance to entertain some of the top names in the game including many leading golf and sports writers from national sports desks and these events will help us keep Ireland to the fore as a first-class golf destination.”
Tourism Ireland’s presence at The Open was part of its continued ‘Time to Play’ initiative to promote golf in Ireland to a wider audience.
As well as exhibiting at May’s Golf Live show, Tourism Ireland’s activities have also included extensive promotion before, during and after last month’s Irish Open – including television advertisements on America’s Golf Channel – and a specially-commissioned TV programme on Northern Ireland’s most iconic courses and facilities presented by ‘Voice of Golf’ Peter Alliss.
Ireland’s reputation as a leading global golfing destination has never been higher and was endorsed further by a Golf Digest poll this year which ranked eight of its courses inside the top 100 in the world outside America– including number one Royal County Down.
With some of the most famous venues across the globe, Irelandoffers golfers the complete package with top championship courses, stunning scenery, fascinating history and some of the best craic around.
Golf Monthly www.golf-monthly.co.uk
For more information about visiting Ireland, go to www.discoverireland.com/golf