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Northern Irish story
Who would think that a country with fewer than two million people could have such an impact on golf’s landscape?
1 Equipment brand on Sky Sports
ANTRIM-BASED MD Golf’s transformation from local business to global golf superpower has been nothing short of fascinating.
Their philosophy of making top-quality clubs offering excellent value combined with a partnership with the late, great Seve Ballesteros has seen them grow into one of Europe’s top manufacturers.
Indeed, the introduction of the Seve line – and an upcoming Aston Martin golf range – has seen them gain large shares in other overseas markets.
They’ve just started a TV campaign with Sky Sports, which illustrates just how much progress they have made, given only a few manufacturers gain such exposure.
2 Portrush prepares
THIS summer sees the Irish Open return to its original home of Royal Portrush – one of the world’s best links.
The event hasn’t been held on this hallowed turf since 1947 and a stellar field is gathering with tickets almost sold out.
Indeed, the European Tour have had to urge anyone interested in spectating to buy their tickets way in advance.
The event organisers are currently preparing detailed traffic and transportation plans to ensure minimal disruption as, at the time of print, tickets were dangerously close to being gone.
In fact, over 100,000 fans are expected to be out in force in the final week of June. Possibly a rehearsal for the Open coming back here one day?
THIS summer sees the Irish Open return to its original home of Royal Portrush – one of the world’s best links.
3 Stellar field gathers
THE return to a links a month before the Open has surely helped the Irish Open attract one of its strongest fields.
A handful of recent Major champions will line up, as well as several other Major winners and Ryder Cup players.
Northern Ireland’s top three stars – Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke – predictably headline the event.
But the likes of Keegan Bradley – winner of the 2011 PGA Championship – and Padraig Harrington will also play.
Italian Ryder Cup stars Francesco and Edoardo Molinari have also committed, as has defending champion Simon Dyson. Theres no doubting this will be the most hotly contested Irish Open in decades.
4 Three Major winners
IN the last two seasons, three of the eight Major winners came from one country.
Was it America, with its 315m population and 18,000 courses?
No, it was Northern Ireland, with less than two million people and fewer than 500 courses. It started with Graeme McDowell’s US Open win at Pebble Beach.
A year later, Rory McIlroy blitzed the field in the same event at Congressional, then Darren Clarke won at Royal St George’s.
5 Another stunning links on the way
WORK is poised to start on a third superstar links in Northern Ireland, in addition to Royal County Down and Royal Portrush.
David McLay Kidd, the man behind Bandon Dunes, the Castle Course and Machrihanish Dunes, has been chosen as the architect for the planned Bushmills Dunes Golf Resort & Spa.
The resort will include a five-star hotel and 75 villas and is being headed by New York-based management expert and scientist Dr Alistair Hanna who is – like Rory McIlroy – originally from Holywood.
The first planning application was lodged a decade ago but work is only set to begin later this year with the course and accommodation set to be ready by summer 2014.
The delay was down to opposition from the National Trust, owner of nearby heritage site Giant’s Causeway.
• For more information on MD’s impressive line-up, visit www.mdgolf.co.uk or call 02894 460 333
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