The destination of next year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is still unknown but there were a variety of messages emanating from the K Club at the weekend after the success of Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy’s presence was a key driver for getting Dubai Duty Free on board and their presence is central to an ambitious plan to raise the total prize fund from €4 Million to 7 Million over the three years of their initial association.
Crowd numbers at the K Club were though lower than in any of the last five years with weather, a Leinster vs Ulster Pro 12 semi final and other factors put forward as extenuating circumstances.
The sponsors were unequivocal in their support for the venue with proximity to Dublin being a key element for them in terms of flying in guests.
McIlroy himself is a fan of the parkland course, as opposed to the links venues where the Open is traditionally played and while he will be keen for the tournament to return North the indications were that one more year in Kildare would do just fine.
There is the competing attraction of staging the event at Doonbeg and potentially having a US President fly in to watch the tournament on his own course but there are a lot of ifs and buts in that.
There is no doubt that the tournament was a winner in local and international terms this year. McIlroy and US Masters Champion Danny Willetts being at the head of the field throughout was a big draw for international coverage and the event has come from a position of real uncertainty a few years ago to now being seen as one of the jewels in the crown of the European Tour.
Nominating a venue for 2017 should now be a priority to give the maximum opportunity to build on the success of this year.
