HOPES of a home winner may have landed in the rough at the end but there’s little doubt we can look back on the Irish Open as a huge triumph.
Over five days – from the celebrity-laced pro-am last Wednesday through to the nail-biting finale on Sunday – we have been held captive and enthralled by events at the foot of the Mournes.
Ultimately, most people in attendance will have been left disappointed by the exploits of Dane Rasmus Hojgaard who came with a run of four birdies in the last five holes to overtake Rory McIlroy and leave the Co Down man in second place.
But that’s top-level sport and that’s exactly what the thousands in attendance were treated to in Newcastle.
It’s often said how much of a unifying force sport can be and, once again, we saw that played out at the Irish Open with spectators coming from all quarters, across Ireland and from further afield.
Sunday’s denouement saw 16,000 people stream down the side of the Slieve Donard hotel and through the gates of Royal County Down GC.
The total attendance for the tournament was over the 80,000 mark and Tourism Northern Ireland has said the boost to the local economy from golf tourism was £68m last year.
Beyond the quantitative evidence, your eyes also told you how great the impact of having it here could be – for tourists, local businesses and for the many young faces held awe-struck by seeing some of the best players in the world right in front of their own eyes.
It wasn’t just the players who were on top of their game as an army of volunteers and staff ensured the whole event - from the park and ride to the food and drink - flowed from start to finish.
McIlroy himself, who has played in front of crowds all over the world, was effusive in his acclaim for the event and also suggested it served as a reminder of the exquisite place from which he comes. “I need to keep coming back more often,” he said.
No doubt that will be a feeling shared by others visiting our island for the first time. They can’t fail to have been bowled over by the vista and the hospitality and they will go away telling others how good a visit here can be.
And therein lies the power of hosting an event like the Irish Open in Northern Ireland as it can produce a ripple of new visitors, that becomes a wave, that becomes a torrent.
With The Open returning to Royal Portrush next year, we can and should take every opportunity to strengthen our reputation as a formidable golfing destination.
