The rain in Northern Ireland is horizontal and the bar was 20 deep, pushing me to the apron of the canopy. My Sporting Weekend this weekend last year was Royal Portrush.
As golf reflects on its missed Open this weekend we all hark back to that magical week last year.
When the game’s oldest and greatest competition returned to Northern Ireland after 67 years.
Come rain or Shane
And Ireland’s own Shane Lowry crowned it all by taking the iconic Claret Jug.
The good news for Shane is that he is still Champion Golfer and will hold onto the trophy for another year.
I just about handed it back after I got the obligatory picture at Portrush.
The Co. Antrim course is credited with putting on one of the best Open Golf Championships in many a year in spite of the pelting rain.
Fantastic
The hospitality and the interactive golfing activities in the tents were second to none while the banter of the locals was relentless.
The course was set up wonderfully well with the intersections across the holes allowing you to take in multiple games.
Of course to get the best view you want to either get your steps out to see over the tall American in front of you.
Or just hunker down by the apron of the green.
Those trousers will dry themselves out.
Northern exposure
Though if you want to you can take shelter in the grandstands.
All of this, of course, makes us hanker after the return of spectators to the Royal and Ancient Game.
While Shane rightfully took the plaudits he would be first to accept that Northern Ireland was as big a winner over the week.
Sometimes we take for granted what we are used to.
And Northern Ireland is an old friend (jeez it’s the Murtys homeland from before the 18th century when they decamped to Scotland).
Clayton comforts
But from the moment that we arrived at the Clayton Hotel in Belfast http://www.claytonhotelbelfast.com.
And ate one of their famous ‘wee’ Ulster Frys to set us up for the final day on the course we were treated like Kings.
By our friends in the North, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board http://www.discovernorthernireland.com.
With the air full of optimism (and water) last year the hope was that the Open http://www.theopen.com would be returning to the Antrim coastline soon.
Get the drinks in
The only thing I would change is that I get to the bar quicker.
And that Scotland produce a player in the next couple of years.
To bring the Claret Jock back to the Home of Golf.
And for more on Northern Ireland, check out Belfast Chilled and Belfast’s rich tapestry
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