Jamie Donaldson, 36, secured his first ever win on the European Golf Tour at the irish Open with a run of five birdies in the closing seven holes to secure the title by four strokes.
Northern Ireland golf was also a big winner with a record 112,000 spectators at Royal Portrush over the duration of the tournament.  This set a record for attendance at a regular tour event and was secured early with all tickets sold out in advance.
The event moves south to Carton House in 2013 and does so with a number of key partners now locked in on multi-year deals.  These include Emirates, Heineken and BMW, three global brands that either renewed or signed for the first time in 2012.
The principal sponsors remain the governments of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, through their tourist boards but despite the weather on Thursday and Saturday both will likely see this as a major success, justifying the support in financial terms through attracting higher spending visitors.
The superstars at Royal Portrush may not have kept the trophy at home but one of its own, Stephanie Meadow did win the British Women’s Amateur Open at Carnoustie in Scotland and the weekend and will keep the party going on the North Antrim Coast when she brings that prestigious trophy home during the week
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