Irish Open worth €30m to Killarney as town is teed up as 2011 venue
Almost 82,000 people attended the country’s top golf tournament, won yesterday by Englishman Ross Fisher, who recorded a two-stroke victory over Irish hero Padraig Harrington and took home a first prize of €500,000.
The 3 mobile phone company has a three-year deal to sponsor the Open and its chief executive Robert Finnegan last night said a decision on next year’s venue would be taken within two months.
“We’ve had a great tournament in an idyllic setting in Killarney and the feedback from the players has been tremendous. I think we made the right call in bringing it to Killarney,” he said.
A decision on a venue for 2011 would be taken after a full review of the 2010 Open, including attendances and the running of the event, Mr Finnegan pointed out.
Northern Ireland golfer Darren Clarke said he hoped the Open would remain in Killarney for the next couple of years, adding that the players loved the venue.
Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Mary Hanafin said both the European Tour and the players were satisfied with their Killarney experience and that was very important.
Last year’s Open in Baltray, Co Louth, was dogged by atrocious weather, but the elements were kind to Killarney as TV footage was beamed around the world.
Some of the footage will be used in advertisements to promote Ireland and Killarney for golf, according to Ms Hanafin.
The official attendance yesterday was 25,673, making a total of 81,738 over the four days.
Killarney Golf and Fishing Club captain Kieran O’Connor said the event was a resounding success and they would be delighted to have it back next year. Thousands of appreciative golf fans crowded around the 18th green on the flagship Killeen course for the finish last evening to applaud the players.
Several golfers brought their families to Killarney, which was hosting the Open for the third time.
There was a festive atmosphere in the town each night, with street entertainment during SummerFest, which was organised to coincide with the Open.
Pubs and restaurants reported doing good business and the Open – the major showcase for promoting golf in Ireland – generated estimated spending of €30 million in the area.
A tented village on the course was a magnet for the crowds, with attractions including a children’s zone and play area, an interactive golf zone, music, bars, shops and food outlets.
John Coughlan of Coughlan Catering, who has the contract to feed and water the masses, said it was the best Irish Open site he had seen in 10 years.
“Fantastic crowds and a fantastic atmosphere and everything has gone really well,’ he said. “The tapas restaurant was the biggest hit of the week.”
Others dined alfresco on ‘real Irish’ sausages or burgers but more queued for roasted hog, smoked salmon and prawns and noodles, while the Heineken sports bar served an estimated 25,000 pints of Heineken and Murphy’s in the week.
