Economic Benefit of The Open Championship 2016... Stg £110 Million

Royal Troon

I was sent a press release today by the very nice people at Visit Scotland (see edited highlights below). It’s a fascinating read on two levels: first is the detail and the importance placed by Scotland on the Open Championship; and second, done right, this bodes well for Northern Ireland and Royal Portrush in 2019.

The attention-grabbing headline number is this: there was a Stg £110 million benefit to Scotland from the 145th Open at

Portstewart - The Irish Open Venue for 2017

The most spectacular opening tee shot in Irish golf.

It gave me no pleasure to watch the Irish Open snatched from the grasp of Lough Erne earlier this year… when just about everyone believed it was a done deal… but, similarly, now that our national Open has been handed to Portstewart in 2017, and given such a peach of a date (6 to 9 July), golf in Ireland can look at new ways to bear fruit.

The European Tour has made a significant move by rearranging the

Want a Shot at Being the Next Paul Dunne? Simply Golf

Paul Dunne achieved a lot for himself and Irish golf at the Open Championship, a couple of weeks back. He has, undoubtedly, inspired a generation of young golfers who have seen what can be achieved, not just by a young Irishman but also by an amateur who didn’t

A Great Golfing Read - Golf World & Carne

Views over the Kilmore nine 6th green

The new issue of Golf World is out (September), with Adam Scott winding it up on the front cover.

My first major golf article appears towards the back - a six page spread on my beloved Carne. It was an honour and a pleasure to write it - thanks to Golf World for giving me the opportunity... and thanks to Carne for giving me the inspiration.

So, what else is inside...