The 148th Open at Royal Portrush

The Tetrarch

Redo91 wrote: »

Only getting around to looking at accommodation now. I’m going the Sunday and thinking of staying the Saturday and Sunday night but could potentially travel back to Galway on the Sunday if accommodation is extortionate.

Just wondering where are people staying? I know Coleraine is nearby but I’m guess it’s expensive as a result. I think Derry is the best option as it’s an hour away and I seem to be able to find two nights accommodation for three of us for just over €300 which is good. Mind you not many options appearing. I assume some sort of shuttle will be running from Derry?

Anyone staying in Belfast or is that too far away?

Any advice would be great.

This may be extreme, but I am staying In Dundalk and driving up each day.
The drive should take about 2h 15m.
I plan to go to two practice days, and four tournament days.

Messi19

The Tetrarch wrote: »

This may be extreme, but I am staying In Dundalk and driving up each day.
The drive should take about 2h 15m.
I plan to go to two practice days, and four tournament days.

Dundalk isn't a bad option. We're going Saturday and Sunday and staying in Belfast. Only train I could get from Belfast for the Saturday was 6.35 am so we'll have to be on the road from Dublin at about 4am. Gonna be a long day!

slave1

Try Airbnb, I got a place last week for Thursday night (only going Friday) and it's only half hour away Limavady

Dirkziggler

Have 2 full weeks for FV, if anyone is going and hasn't got sorted.

Mantis Toboggan

Going on the Friday and driving up and down on the day. Going to be a long day but I'll leave early. I'd be happy with 6 hours on the course.

Dirkziggler

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Going on the Friday and driving up and down on the day. Going to be a long day but I'll leave early. I'd be happy with 6 hours on the course.

It's a killer drive up and back your looking at 6 7!hours all in. I done it a few years ago.

Mantis Toboggan

Dirkziggler wrote: »

It's a killer drive up and back your looking at 6 7!hours all in. I done it a few years ago.

Yeah it's going to be a nice spin but it's only 1 day and I'm off for the weekend.

Dirkziggler

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Yeah it's going to be a nice spin but it's only 1 day and I'm off for the weekend.

Saturday is to be ****e. When you up

Russman

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Going on the Friday and driving up and down on the day. Going to be a long day but I'll leave early. I'd be happy with 6 hours on the course.

Should be a great day, enjoy !
I did it a few years ago to Portstewart for the Irish Open, but tbh its what put me off doing it again this year, it was such a long day. Now that its getting closer though, I'm almost half wishing I didn't put my tickets up for sale, but only "almost" !!:)

slave1

I'm doing the Friday too, plan on being at the range at 6am and staying until all golf is over, won't be home to wee hours, then brush it all off and up to Boards outing in Castleknock Saturday, can collapse Saturday night!

RoadRunner

slave1 wrote: »

up to Boards outing in Castleknock Saturday

ahh, did the open organisers schedule their event on the same day as the castleknock boards outing :mad:

slave1

RoadRunner wrote: »

ahh, did the open organisers schedule their event on the same day as the castleknock boards outing :mad:

may be the other way around :pac:

redhill

Just back from a couple of days on the North Coast, Portrush is looking immaculate at present, all grandstands as you would expect are in place, quite a few large ones, much much more grandstand seating than the Irish Open a few years back, course is in immaculate condition, the rough is well up and very thick, according to the guide we had it can be left as it is or at the many R&A Pre tourney meetings it can be cut accordingly, I would say if left alone u wud get a -8 to -12 winning score in reasonable good playing conditions. If tough links weather then a lot less...
All the Mercedes courtesy minivans have just arrived, there are some large TVs all around course for info and scores etc. Still a good few out playing today, all on mats from fairways .
Town is looking well too, has had a 15-20 million makeover, new railway station etc.

alchemist33

Any of the stands or holes where you would get inyeresting viewing?

And any idea what time the stands would fill up by? (Saturday for me)

redhill

alchemist33 wrote: »

Any of the stands or holes where you would get inyeresting viewing?

And any idea what time the stands would fill up by? (Saturday for me)

Haven’t a clue when stands may fill up, that’s just something you’ll have to keep an eye on during the day.
Good viewing points is also hard to gauge, I’m going to have a look during practice days for this, most of the bigger grandstands seem to be on back 9. The one at 17 could be good, as u could get 17 & 18 and the par 3 13th green if you are the top of it, but would need to check this out first , similarly holes 9& 11 greens have possibilities,

redhill

Also chatting to a few neighbours in Portstewart they say house rental prices in Portrush and surrounding areas are coming down for open week, loads held out looking for mega bucks but now having to settle for less, there are some quite cheap on Airbnb etc,

https://causewaycoastrentals.co.uk/property/?pn=Gretta%27s+Cottage

This place is £695 for full week,

thecretinhop

I could be wrong but I thought I saw extra tickets on sale today

redhill

thecretinhop wrote: »

I could be wrong but I thought I saw extra tickets on sale today

Careful, they are for next year 2020, one of my eejit mates got caught out....

thecretinhop

redhill wrote: »

Careful, they are for next year 2020, one of my eejit mates got caught out....

Ah OK. I could have a Saturday ticket mb with parking

TheSJC

I have a spare ticket for the Thursday if anyone is interested.

thecretinhop

yep sat ticket and parking available pm me cost price

Sligo Pilgrim

Hi, Looking for a pair of tickets for Friday. Ideally an adult and an U16, but even a pair of general admissions would be welcome. Pm me pls. Thanks Allan

One_up

Hi,
I’m looking for an u-16 ticket for the Friday at the Open. If anyone has one going pleas pm me.

RikkFlair

I see John Daly had his request to use a buggy turned down

HighLine

RikkFlair wrote: »

I see John Daly had his request to use a buggy turned down

And rightly so. A perfectly worded response from the R&A here

https://www.theopen.com/Latest/2019/07/Statement-John-Daly

The R&A have carefully considered the request from 1995 Champion Golfer of the Year John Daly to use a buggy at The 148th Open at Royal Portrush later this month. The R&A appreciate the difficulty John is facing and have full sympathy for him as this is clearly a serious, long-term condition.

Having considered all of the relevant factors, the Championship Committee has decided to decline his request. The R&A believe that walking the course is an integral part of the Championship and is central to the tradition of links golf which is synonymous with The Open. We must also ensure that, as far as possible, the challenge is the same for all players in the field.

The terrain at Royal Portrush is not suited to buggies and indeed the club itself does not permit their use. We have a serious concern that some parts of the course, where there are severe slopes and swales, would be inaccessible.

This is not a decision we have taken lightly but we believe it is the right one for The Open. John has a special place in our hearts as a Champion Golfer and he will always be welcome at the Championship both at Royal Portrush and in future.

Boxcar_Willie

There's a few tickets at face value on www.toutless.com if anyone is looking for some .

bigtimecharlie

Friday Saturday and Sunday for me. Can't wait.

I'll do a long Friday, want to see as much of the players as possible. Then take it easy on Saturday.

Hopefully have a spot worked out to have a good view for Sunday.

MacGyver007

Just got a One Club email. There are some weekly tickets now available via the link that is in it.

One_up

Cheers. Just got that email too. Will check it out.

Mantis Toboggan

Rory's guide to the New 7th hole.

https://youtu.be/J6m0EAmlBzE

JP85

I'm heading up on the friday afternoon and staying at the open campsite with tickets for sat and sunday. Is there anything happening around the town on the evenings to go to, something like what happened in lahinch at the weekend, wouldnt want to miss out on the evening activities as i dont get out much these days

Neewollah

What are the 1st tee times on the Saturday and Sunday does anyone know?

Have car parking booked for both days and staying in a B and B about 30 mins away. What are peoples thoughts on traffic etc? Never been to the area before. I'm assuming the roads won't be used to the volumes of traffic

blackwhite

JP85 wrote: »

I'm heading up on the friday afternoon and staying at the open campsite with tickets for sat and sunday. Is there anything happening around the town on the evenings to go to, something like what happened in lahinch at the weekend, wouldnt want to miss out on the evening activities as i dont get out much these days

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/jul/03/portrush-the-open-championship-orange-parade-northern-ireland-golf

The "Portrush Sons of Ulster" are holding a concert on the Saturday evening. :pac:

How welcoming, or otherwise, it might be for southern visitors is unclear

GreeBo

Anyone figured out transport from Dublin yet?

Im trying to head up Tuesday night for a full day Wednesday, but it seems you cant book the Belfast -> Portrush train tickets online?

JP85

blackwhite wrote: »

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/jul/03/portrush-the-open-championship-orange-parade-northern-ireland-golf

The "Portrush Sons of Ulster" are holding a concert on the Saturday evening. :pac:

How welcoming, or otherwise, it might be for southern visitors is unclear

Oh yes, i heard about this, ill put this one on the maybe pile

JP85

JP85 wrote: »

Oh yes, i heard about this, ill put this one on the maybe pile

They are likely going to try and put forward a positive view of their parade in Portrush but as a southern Irish person I'd be going to the opposite end of town to them.

Even your average Ulster protestant will be mildly embarrassed by this parade going on in the middle of such a international event I'd imagine.

Boxcar_Willie

GreeBo wrote: »

Anyone figured out transport from Dublin yet?

Im trying to head up Tuesday night for a full day Wednesday, but it seems you cant book the Belfast -> Portrush train tickets online?

I booked Belfast - Portrush train tickets just now on www.translink.co.uk

Johnny_Fontane

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Rory's guide to the New 7th hole.

https://youtu.be/J6m0EAmlBzE

This is an amazing hole. Played it last year, drove it straight into that mammoth bunker (its ridiculous), managed to wedge it out. 3W to 5 feet. Missed the putt :rolleyes:

GreeBo

Boxcar_Willie wrote: »

I booked Belfast - Portrush train tickets just now on www.translink.co.uk

I was on there earlier and all I get is options for either an iLink card for specific zones or a monthly/weekly ticket?

Were you able to just pay for a Belfast -> Portrush ticket?
I have seen elsewhere that its not possible to book a ticket online/in advance in Northern Ireland, you have to pick up individual tickets at the station unless you are buying a multi-use pass?

techdiver

GreeBo wrote: »

I was on there earlier and all I get is options for either an iLink card for specific zones or a monthly/weekly ticket?

Were you able to just pay for a Belfast -> Portrush ticket?
I have seen elsewhere that its not possible to book a ticket online/in advance in Northern Ireland, you have to pick up individual tickets at the station unless you are buying a multi-use pass?

Go to https://www.translink.co.uk/ and click "Event Travel" at the top of the page. The special services are listed in there.

Boxcar_Willie

Yes as techdriver says , it's in special events.
If your taking the Dublin - Belfast train book from Lanyon Place ( Central Station ) to Portrush . £19.50 return . Tickets were emailed out instantly .

Pissartist

So apparently his own fans are a burden to him, this is mcilroy today

mikepajero182

Do they post the practice round tee times anywhere?
Heading up Wednesday

what2do

Any idea where the park and rides are located? Think I recall someone mentioning Coleraine....

GreeBo

techdiver wrote: »

Go to https://www.translink.co.uk/ and click "Event Travel" at the top of the page. The special services are listed in there.

Boxcar_Willie wrote: »

Yes as techdriver says , it's in special events.
If your taking the Dublin - Belfast train book from Lanyon Place ( Central Station ) to Portrush . £19.50 return . Tickets were emailed out instantly .

They are only on Belfast-Portrush first thing in the morning and the return last thing at night, but I'll be travelling up Tuesday evening so no good to me.

I'm still amazed that in 2019 you cant book a standard train ticket in NI.

Adiaga 2

what2do wrote: »

Any idea where the park and rides are located? Think I recall someone mentioning Coleraine....

Got this response from the open website:
"There will be several park and ride facilities located at various points throughout the area surrounding the venue, however we are not publicising their locations for operational reasons. A large amount of the parking space we have available is on grass, and is therefore susceptible to varying weather conditions. As a result, we assess the condition of each car park on a daily basis and decide which carparks to open and which to allow to ‘rest’. We would not want anyone to plan their journey to a particular car park, then find on arrival that it is closed, therefore we are asking all spectators to drive towards Coleraine or Portrush using the routes described on our website then look out for variable messaging signs and The AA’s black and yellow signs for ‘The Open Park & Ride’. We will alter the signage daily to ensure spectators are always directed to a car park that is open and has space available. As car parks fill up during the course of the day, we will change the signage to direct spectators to a car park that still has spaces available."

Adiaga 2

Driving up from Dublin on the Friday. What's the best route? Through Belfast or A28/A29?

Newtown90

Booked a hostel yesterday in Bushmills for Friday and Saturday night for £200 all in for 4 of us which I thought was fairly decent with the proximity of it.

I now have 3 return train tickets going idle from Belfast to Portrush for the Saturday available if anyone's interested at a fair price.

Boxcar_Willie

GreeBo wrote: »

They are only on Belfast-Portrush first thing in the morning and the return last thing at night, but I'll be travelling up Tuesday evening so no good to me.

I'm still amazed that in 2019 you cant book a standard train ticket in NI.

It's allowing bookings every day on the home page
www.translink.co.uk
On the home page enter Belfast Lanyon Place as departure and Portrush Train Station as destination , select date and time and it displays available trains , select the one that you want and click on purchase .

GreeBo

Boxcar_Willie wrote: »

It's allowing bookings every day on the home page
www.translink.co.uk
On the home page enter Belfast Lanyon Place as departure and Portrush Train Station as destination , select date and time and it displays available trains , select the one that you want and click on purchase .

If you follow that through all it actually allows you to buy is a weekly/monthly or travel card. For individual tickets you need to buy on the day at the station.