Officials from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, organisers of the British Open, have suggested there is no immediate prospect of the oldest tournament in Golf returning to Northern Ireland in the short term.
At a media day launching this year’s event at Royal Lytham St Anne’s they said that Royal Portrush was a major venue and that a number of key amateur and senior events were on the schedule but there were no plans to extend the current roster of English and Scottish clubs for the Open itself.
The Irish Open takes place there at the end of June, two weeks before the Open and tickets sales are reported to be strong.  The officials yesterday raised unspecified ‘certain aspects of the golf course’ which might make it difficult for the larger crowds that a golf major would expect to attract.
They also confirmed that mobile phones would once again be permitted on the course for the 2012 Championship.  Calls would only be allowed from certain designated areas but the primary reason for lifting a six year restriction was the advance in mobile data apps which have become such an important element of the spectator experience at any major sports event.
Wednesday’s Main News Stories
Irish cricket cracking new audiences
Ireland highlighted as olympic beneficiary
Punchestown up as Gillespie steps down
Open unlikely for Ireland in near future
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