The 148th Open at Royal Portrush

redhill

https://www.translink.co.uk/events/the148thopen

Try this link, on train fares it says they will send a e-ticket, I went all the way to payment page no problems

redhill

Adiaga 2 wrote: »

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

There is probably not much in it to be honest, once u hit Newry there are a load of yellow signs on the A1 dual carriageway directing traffic to the Open Golf, at Lisburn they seem to be guiding u thru Belfast and up to Portrush that way which is probably the quickest route....except Belfast has its own version of the M50 called the Westlink and it can be clogged up at anytime during the day...
If it is then it can easily add 20-30 mins to journey time especially as you will probably be going thru at peak morning time when it’s nose to tail, though like the M50 a little less so in summertime...
An easy alternative is go on main road to Lisburn as above and instead of joining Motorway towards Belfast, join the Motorway in opposite direction going Westbound. Get off at ur very first junction (Moria and Airport) head towards Airport on A26, a very good road, this A26 will take u all the way to Coleraine, u only go thru one town Antrim and it’s half by-passed, after Antrim(meet the Belfast to Portrush traffic again here) it’s all dual carriageway to about 8-10 miles from Coleraine
The A28/A29 option would be a definite no goer, not a great road , not many town bypasses etc, very much slower I’d say

redhill

Just remembered A website you can use is called
https://www.trafficwatchni.com/

It’s very good at accidents\traffic delays on main routes...

It also has a Cameras section(click on the menu button top right) where u can check out live traffic cams on a whole host of Motorway and main A roads, the Westlink is called the A12, if u check it on approaching Lisburn then u can decide easy enough.

From that camera page these are the relevant ones to look at,in this order

M1 Sprucefield, (this is where u join Motorway at Lisburn )
M1 Stockmans Lane (these next 2 are on way in to Belfast and meet the A12)
M1 Broadway
A12 Roden Street ...these 2 are the Westlink
A12 Clifton Street

From the cameras u want to be looking at traffic on the left hand side of road in pictures as this is ur direction of travel..

paulc87

Hey all. I've 3 Friday tickets plus parking available at cost price if anyone is still looking (also just put them on toutless)

Unfortunately myself, brother & dad cannot attend any longer. Hope everyone heading to it has a ball

slave1

Just offered a Corporate day on the Thursday but I've my own tickets for the Friday so passed on it....hopefully I won't regret it, only care about the weather

Mantis Toboggan

Weather is looking decent for next week so fingers crossed.

DuckSlice

slave1 wrote: »

Just offered a Corporate day on the Thursday but I've my own tickets for the Friday so passed on it....hopefully I won't regret it, only care about the weather

Had corporate passes at The Irish Open when it was in Portstewart and it was brilliant. It was worth it just to have somewhere to leave your bag for the day. The free booze and food also made it worth it :P.

Edit: Really hope the weather is good on Friday. but as long as I see Tiger for a few holes I don't really care.

The Tetrarch

I might be there Monday to Sunday but doubt I will have the stamina.

lawred2

Can imagine quite a few early arriving golf fans getting some shock tomorrow

tbayers

Weather looks very wet, for summer time anyway, from Monday on. Potential of strong winds keep popping up too. Long way to go yet though...

The Tetrarch

I am a bit shocked that it will not be sun and calm every day for the Open, just like this week. :eek:

Yeah weather looking a bit crap. Ground very unlikely to be dry.

What's the story with bringing foldable chairs?

The Tetrarch

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah weather looking a bit crap. Ground very unlikely to be dry.
What's the story with bringing foldable chairs?

https://www.theopen.com/spectator-advice

Prohibited Items
No lawn or oversize chairs, folding chairs (with the exception of seating/tripod sticks), or any similar seating item deemed inappropriate by The R&A (or authorised person).

I bought a shooting stick last week and will use that if I can not get a seat in a grandstand. My guess is the grandstands will be full.

blackwhite

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah weather looking a bit crap. Ground very unlikely to be dry.

What's the story with bringing foldable chairs?

Accuweather is currently giving:

Weds: Mostly cloudy, showers around
Thurs: Mostly cloudy
Fri: Occasional afternoon raid
Sat: A passing morning shower
Sunday: afternoon showers

Doesn't sound like it'll be constant rain - but it won't be sunshine either

The Tetrarch

I use Windfinder. It give wind and rain forecasts (regular forecast and superforecast).

Newtown90

Any info of any evening entertainment around Portrush after the golf?

JP85

Newtown90 wrote: »

Any info of any evening entertainment around Portrush after the golf?

I'm looking for some clarity on this, numerous searches online and cant find anything. Surely they could put something on in the town as things like this dont come around that often.

Beaulieu

Newtown90 wrote: »

Any info of any evening entertainment around Portrush after the golf?

Deffo - for example on Saturday evening just as the throng are exiting the course!!!...https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/jul/03/portrush-the-open-championship-orange-parade-northern-ireland-golf

GreeBo

redhill wrote: »

https://www.translink.co.uk/events/the148thopen

Try this link, on train fares it says they will send a e-ticket, I went all the way to payment page no problems

Only for morning journeys to portrush and evening away

Hoboo

blackwhite wrote: »

Accuweather is currently giving:

Weds: Mostly cloudy, showers around
Thurs: Mostly cloudy
Fri: Occasional afternoon raid
Sat: A passing morning shower
Sunday: afternoon showers

Doesn't sound like it'll be constant rain - but it won't be sunshine either

Wunderground use data from people's home weather stations, they're dotted all over the country. Portrush has one in Bushmills, they're ridiculously accurate. At the minute it's saying rain for next week. But as we all know anything past 2 or 3 days on this island when it's giving a chance of rain could be a storm or a heatwave. Be better dry but Id like to see the pros get a taste of portrush proper.

The Tetrarch

It has started.
Google Maps show road closures at Portrush.
Today is the first practice day for spectators.

ionadnapokot

Anyone else noticed how the Irish golfers accents have become more normal over the last few weeks?
McGinley and even McDowell are listenable.

redhill

The Tetrarch wrote: »

It has started.
Google Maps show road closures at Portrush.
Today is the first practice day for spectators.

Good for google, there are certain roads that are closed all week, others close to course that are no stopping/no waiting/ permit parking only, no different to Lahinch and definitely every other Open Championship, my dad is in already and says it’s v quiet, no problems at all, that will definitely get busier that’s for sure..I’m leaving in a couple of hours to go for the week, should be a stellar week.

redhill

Newtown90 wrote: »

Any info of any evening entertainment around Portrush after the golf?

There is absolutely loads to do in local area. There’s the Giants Causeway, a site like no other, absolutely free, park outside and not in official car park. 15 mins drive
Also v close to Giants Causeway is the Carrick a rede footbridge, I think u can book this in advance. Not too expensive, well worth a trip
There is also a number of Game of Thrones sites, these are very popular, eg the Dark Hedges, again about 15 mins drive and free again.

Locally Portrush are putting on a party for the full week,

Live music, golf themed stuff, golf simulators in the town,50ft long putt, bunker challenge, PGA lessons, washing machine challenge, and a giant inflatable dart board to try.
An artisan market,
A history of Golf exhibition
Lots of kids stuff as well...

Try these links

https://www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com/live-148th-open/#about-intro

https://www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/LIVE-148-OPEN-PROGRAMME.pdf


If your heading out for the nite head down to the Harbour area, there are a few pubs there and 5 eateries all owned by the same Ramore group, all are absolutely fantastic, and not too expensive,the Ramore is the one where John Rahm said in his winning Lahinch interview that he eat in every night when he won the Irish Open in Portstewart and he mentioned he would be eating there every night again.
U just walk in and ask for a table , in summer it’s packed anyway and you have to wait 20 mins to one hour, no problems, just sit at the bar and have a drink.
There’s the Harbour bar (and food) next door with all pics of Gmac on the wall, ( front bar), that’s one of his locals when home...

The Tetrarch

redhill
Thanks for that, very much appreciated.
I wish I knew where the park and ride car park was. The Opengolf site gives no info.
It would be handy if I could watch practice in the morning, early afternoon, get an idea of the course and the Open village so I can know where to go for the rest of the week, then explore the area.
My plan is to drive up early tomorrow 5 am from Dublin.
A few minutes ago I booked my dogs in for their "holiday" and will be dropping them off at 17:30 this afternoon.
My sterling, euros, and credit card might get a battering in Portrush.
I think this is going to be the best Open ever.

Messi19

It'll have to go some to beat the Stenson v Mickelson Sunday shootout

meolwan

The Tetrarch wrote: »

redhill
Thanks for that, very much appreciated.
I wish I knew where the park and ride car park was. The Opengolf site gives no info.
It would be handy if I could watch practice in the morning, early afternoon, get an idea of the course and the Open village so I can know where to go for the rest of the week, then explore the area.
My plan is to drive up early tomorrow 5 am from Dublin.
A few minutes ago I booked my dogs in for their "holiday" and will be dropping them off at 17:30 this afternoon.
My sterling, euros, and credit card might get a battering in Portrush.
I think this is going to be the best Open ever.

One of the Park and Ride is in the Ulster University campus in Coleraine. So is the camping village. I was up there today and used the park and ride its about 10 - 15 mins from Portrush. Plenty of buses waiting when we arrived about 10.30 am and the last return bus today was 8 pm.

durkadurka

Looking forward to heading up on Wednesday night for the first two days.

Anyone any experience of the camping at the Open, is there much craic at the bar, or should we go into portrush in the evenings?

And do they tend to put the lesser “names” out very early in the morning or do I need to be out on the course for 7 am?

Really looking forward to it.

Hoboo

Just an idea.....

I'm heading up Thursday and Friday. Would any boardsie type folk be interested in setting up a WhatsApp group, can give updates on good view points, good pints, where to avoid, whatever, up to date on site info.

I'll set it up an email address to collect numbers so everyone can stay in the shadows...... if there's an interest.

Benicetomonty

Re the groupings, there will be star groups in the am and the pm. Lesser lights will be out v early and v late. There will be a biggie feature grouping at 8am or so. That was always Tigers slot when he played in the morning and might well be again this week. All the big guns will be between 7 and 9am. Then same again in the afternoon, based around a grouping at 1 or 2pm.

But tbf with the event thats in it, you can be assured of quality golf no matter what time you get there. The 'lesser lights' as I referred to them, are in form, because they didnt qualify based on sitting comfortably in the top 50 in the rankings or some kind of legacy exemption; theyve played serious golf in the last month or two, either in qualifying through a pga or euro tour tourney or through the final qualifying, which is a pretty cut throat way of making it. They mightnt have the experience yet but they can all play!

Hoboo

durkadurka wrote: »

Looking forward to heading up on Wednesday night for the first two days.

Anyone any experience of the camping at the Open, is there much craic at the bar, or should we go into portrush in the evenings?

And do they tend to put the lesser “names” out very early in the morning or do I need to be out on the course for 7 am?

Really looking forward to it.

Go into Kelly's or the harbour. Kelly's have a fanzone, the harbour has 5 restaurants and a bar all attached as one (same owners)7No bookings, just rock up. Bar on the campsite closes at 11 afaik, think last orders 10:30. Campsite is quiet early, lads up first thing.

Collie D

Any idea when tee times are announced?

redhill

meolwan wrote: »

One of the Park and Ride is in the Ulster University campus in Coleraine. So is the camping village. I was up there today and used the park and ride its about 10 - 15 mins from Portrush. Plenty of buses waiting when we arrived about 10.30 am and the last return bus today was 8 pm.

Yep, there looks to be 6 in total, others were on B62 road from Ballymoney, somewhere after Ballybogey, another in Coleraine off the ring road and one in Portstewart right at the start grid of the NW 200, we used this one and were at course 10 mins after getting on bus, though quietish day yesterday

techdiver

Weather forecast looks to be horrendous for Sunday!

durkadurka

Hoboo wrote: »

Just an idea.....

I'm heading up Thursday and Friday. Would any boardsie type folk be interested in setting up a WhatsApp group, can give updates on good view points, good pints, where to avoid, whatever, up to date on site info.

I'll set it up an email address to collect numbers so everyone can stay in the shadows...... if there's an interest.

might be interested in this.
I don't know the holes that I should be aiming for.
should I bring binoculars?

MacGyver007

techdiver wrote: »

Weather forecast looks to be horrendous for Sunday!

The UK Met Office is not quite so pessimistic:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcg60d3cz#?date=2019-07-21

JP85

MacGyver007 wrote: »

The UK Met Office is not quite so pessimistic:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcg60d3cz#?date=2019-07-21

Accuweather seem to be giving a similar forecast, its probably still early days

durkadurka

Tee times and pairings are out

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.theopen.com/teetimes

How would this look like for Friday? Reverse?

coylemj

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

https://www.theopen.com/teetimes

How would this look like for Friday? Reverse?

Tee times for R2 are always published at the same time. It's an option on the website, look above Darren Clarke and to the left of the 'NTT Data' logo. Click 'Round 1' on the button and you'll get an option for Round 2.

JP85

Would be good if the first people staying at the Open camping at the university can give an update on what its like such as shower facilities, is there a bar and food there? do they take card etc.

mikepajero182

Am I missing the Wednesday practice day times? Cant seem to find them listed

mikepajero182

mikepajero182 wrote: »

Am I missing the Wednesday practice day times? Cant seem to find them listed

You won't see them listed. There are no official practice times. I would imagine most players will only play 9 holes on Wednesday and I think it's fairly flexible in terms of when they go out.

For example Poulter is playing 11 holes this morning and the last 7 tomorrow (as per himself on Instagram).

GreeBo

techdiver wrote: »

Weather forecast looks to be horrendous for Sunday!

YR has it as torrential rain for Wednesday and Thursday also

MillField

Phil the Thrill.

Shankel

Have Daily Parking Tickets for Wednesday and Thursday if anyone is interested? Offering at face value, £30 total for the two.

DM if interested

Chopper83

Was up there yesterday, place is looking immaculate.

Who does everyone fancy?

My shortlist of 4 is:
Rahm
Spieth
Kuchar
Rose

mikepajero182

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You won't see them listed. There are no official practice times. I would imagine most players will only play 9 holes on Wednesday and I think it's fairly flexible in terms of when they go out.

For example Poulter is playing 11 holes this morning and the last 7 tomorrow (as per himself on Instagram).

But today, yesterday and sunday were listed on the open site. Just not Wednesday

carrick76

Does anybody know what the story with car parking is? I've a hotel booked for Wednesday and Thursday night in Portrush. The hotel doesn't have parking. I've booked the park and ride for Wednesday and Thursday but apparently you can't leave the car overnight in the park and ride.

I imagine it will be busy in Portrush, I'm travelling up from Galway, would I be better to park in the train station in Coleraine and get the train to avail of overnight parking?

Chopper83

carrick76 wrote: »

Does anybody know what the story with car parking is? I've a hotel booked for Wednesday and Thursday night in Portrush. The hotel doesn't have parking. I've booked the park and ride for Wednesday and Thursday but apparently you can't leave the car overnight in the park and ride.

I imagine it will be busy in Portrush, I'm travelling up from Galway, would I be better to park in the train station in Coleraine and get the train to avail of overnight parking?

I was planning on parking overnight in the Coleraine University park and ride which is close to Portstewart