Golfers rush to join McIlroy’s Co Down club

RORY McILROY’S home club is already counting the benefits of his US Open win.

With the world’s media descending on Holywood Golf Club in Down yesterday, they received 11 new membership requests in the hours after their favourite son’s major win, including one from a golfer who’s never likely to see the course.

“There’s a media presence here all day getting reactions from the juniors, members and the staff,” said the club’s professional golfer Stephen Crooks.

“Apparently we’ve got 11 new members today which is very strange for a Monday but you don’t have to be a genius to work out why. I think we got a social member from Canada as well who just wanted to be part of the action.

“I’d say I’ve been talking to, between radio and TV, about 40 interviewers today and Paul Gray [manager] has gone through the same and there’s more scheduled for later on.

“There’s been a lot of people buying crests and stuff in the shops. We’re thriving on the back of Rory. We’re not struggling financially, a lot of clubs in Ireland are, and Rory is a huge factor in that.”

But the current furore will be nothing compared to when McIlroy returns home with a massive party already planned.

“His management team will need to have a plan in place for when he arrives here because I think Northern Ireland is going to shut down for the week.

“We watched it on here the Saturday and Sunday night. The place was really busy on Sunday night. It was frightening how many people were here. Our staff were flat out at the bar. It was relentless from 7pm onwards.

“But it’ll be twice as busy when he comes over here. We can’t wait.”