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Open for golf business

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And as East Lothian’s economy yields £8m from our tourney and the oldest major returns to Portrush, our corners of the planet are officially Open for business.

The Open Golf Championship is certainly a hospitality money-spinner.

With Northern Ireland taking in £100m to the coffers and the Causeway Coast and Glens area directly benefiting with £26m back in 2019.

Probably better not to mention that my friends at Discover Northern Ireland afforded me hospitality six years ago.

And Savannah and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, generously hosted me last year in Royal Troon on the west coast of Scotland.

The home of golf

Now any destination that gets to put on a big sporting event comes with a premium for player and spectator alike.

And I’m always reminded, at this time of the year, of an old work colleague whose parents rented out their home in St Andrews.

The champion golfer’s brothers had approached the couple, who had put their names forward as a rental home.

And asked if they could take it, offering to pay top dollar and putting on a conservatory for them.

All of which paid off when Steve Ballesteros won the Claret Jug.

Up for rent

Timing is, of course, everything and alas our arrival in North Berwick has come at a time when the nearby Muirfield championship course is off the rota.

A course of such a standard and historical significance that the great Jack Nicklaus named his course Muirfield in Ohio after it.

So the opportunity to rent out our own demesne to a Tiger Woods or a Rory McIlroy will have to wait.

The golden ticket

The Open Golf Championship rolls into Royal Birkdale next year and the R&A and golf fans are already preparing themselves.

For us in East Lothian, already putting on a show for the Scottish Open dress-rehearsal for next week’s main event.

We say, haste ye back to Muirfield. We’re Open for golf business.

And if that means we can earn a pound or two on our house for a week and the local economy too then all the better.

Countries, Ireland, Sport

Hole lot of fun in Portrush and around the world

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My Dear Old Dad was as straight as they come apart from on the course, but I’d have opened him up to a hole lot of fun in Portrush and around the world.

The truth is we enjoyed playfully sending him up.

So one Christmas we bought him a joke book The World’s Most Difficult Holes.

Which included tees on the peak of one mountain and greens on another.

And, of course, Mum had to get us to stifle our laughter as he scratched his head about how to play the hole.

Ireland back on course

Champion golfer: At Portrush with The Opem

Would that Dad had hung around and I could have taken him to Royal Portrush when the Open returned to Ireland after nearly 60 years in 2019.

An experiment that proved so successful that the R&A are revisiting the Antrim course next year.

In preparation for Portrush 2024 TV’s Golf’s Greatest Holes visits Ulster’s famous links.

This special six-part series will be devoted entirely to the challenging 18 holes of the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush.

Tee for two

The series, supported by Tourism Ireland, will be fronted once again by golfer Paul McGinley and BBC presenter Chris Hollins.

And feature former Open champion and son of the Ulster sod Darren Clarke.

It will be seen by millions across Britain when it premieres on Sky Sports later this year.

And will then be screened around the world, including the US.

The series is set to feature a number of well-known local golf stars and golf-loving personalities.

Siobhan McManamy, Tourism Ireland’s Director of Markets, said: ‘It’s a great way to shine a spotlight on Royal Portrush and the island of Ireland.

‘Showcasing our world-class golf and inspiring golfers everywhere to put Ireland on their ‘wish-list’ for their next

Millions of reasons

The first series of Golf’s Greatest Holes reached a global TV audience of millions, thanks to repeated screenings by more than 40 broadcasters.

As well as on the inflight services of many airlines around the world.

The series also reached more than 50 million digital viewers.

Now should Irish great Paul McGinley need a teaching assistant for his show then let me proffer that yours truly is a star student.

From his academy in Quinta da Lago in the Algarve.

Then be sure we’d have a hole lot of fun in Portrush and around the world.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Pilgrimage, Sport

Slice of God is a Master Stroke at The Open

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And because you need a thick wedge for the merch anything that’s free is welcome, which is why a slice of God is a Master Stroke at The Open.

Golf fans rolling off the train to Royal Troon all week have been greeted by the Almighty’s Army handing out free tote bags.

With a sacred message on the bags, a John’s Gospel with ‘God’s Word for you’ and God loves Ayrshire scrolled on it.

God loves Bandanaman, of course, and you too obviously, but mostly Bandanaman!

Hilton Head of the table

First course: The Visit Hilton Head table, Troon

As do Visit Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Savannah/Hilton Head International in Georgia.

As they host me, with a little help from golfing knight Sir Nick Faldo, in the Engravers suite (£1,175pp).

The First Reading: What the Good Book says

Now by the end of play today this year’s Champion Golfer may very well credit God for His part in their success.

Of course, God is a handy ally to have on the bag, to use golfing parlance.

Stay the course

The evidence is all there in the booklet you’ve just been given with passages from The Bible.

With its headlines The Master Stroke, Timing is Right, Following Through, Taking Part and True Victory.

And this is the bit that will drive on whoever wins today to become Champion Golfer of the Year.

‘Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Now God as you can see is everywhere but perhaps more visible in The Vatican, the Holywood of Lourdes and Marian sites Fatima, Knock and Medjugorje.

And on pilgrimages such as a Camino or Via Francigena.

God is all around us

But I always also like to seek him out wherever I go.

On the premise that you find the locals where they play and pray.

And so I’ve joined in evangelical Sunday Service in Tobago and praised Allah in mosques from Morocco to Sarajevo, Istanbul and Jordan.

The Man in the Middle: With Phil, Faldo and Funtime Jimmy

I’ve often felt too the Hand of God on my shoulder to keep me on the right path as I’ve wandered off course.

All of which the missionaries on the road to Troon are championing.

So though it may be tempting don’t just walk past the bag-carriers.

Because a slice of God is a Master Stroke at The Open.

America, Countries, Sport, UK

Hilton Head and troosers, knees and Faldo’s

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When you’re in the presence of a golfing knight it does well to bow down, which is how Hilton Head and troosers knees and Faldo’s all came about.

Picture the scene, a mini-stage on the Engravers suite on the top floor of the Origins building.

At Royal Troon golf course at the 152nd Open Golf Championship.

And the six-time major golf champion has just taken a question from me from the floor.

He asks for a glass of water while the microphone comes my way.

Earning our stripes: Phil, Sir Nick and Myself

And in the interim I move forward, bend down and move my phone by his feet to pick up his pronouncements.

When the Great Man startled by the intrusion asks in front of the packed gallery?

‘What are you doin’? You trying to get up ma troosers?’

When I explained I was merely capturing his words for posterity it broke the ice.

Kneeling at the feet of a great

Sir Nick was good enough to share with us his fond memories of winning his first Open in ‘the pea-green soup’ of my local course, Muirfield back in 1987.

And following another Open again at St Andrews, the home of golf, returning to do it all again at Muirfield.

And his last four holes to win the Claret Jug being the best he has ever played.

Jacket required: Ben Crenshaw helps Nick Faldo on with his Masters green jacket

The Engravers experience (£1,175pp) for day ticket, all-inclusive food and drink, access to the course.

And the chance to ask a question of a golfing great… and even kneel at their feet.

Sir Nick is, of course, a giant now of the game so the chance to hear him exclusively in an intimate setting is a treat.

Troon the houses

The Englishman, still looking like a matinee idol at 67, recalled his earliest days, camping and playing the 1973 Open.

While Tony Jacklin gave eventual winner Tom Weiskopf a lift in his Rolls-Royce.

That for us was the year the family drove down to South Ayrshire from Glasgow.

Only for my Dear Old Dad to decide not to brave out the traffic.

But rather turn the car around and drive us all back to watch it on TV.

Sir Nick also shared his memories of one of the breakthrough moments of his career.

Prompted by our table and the Hilton Head community, Savannah/Hilton Head International and their friends and promoters.

Hilton Head for the top

It was the then plain Nick’s first tourney win on American soil, the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

And Sir Nick admitted he approached the event in a Monte Carlo or Bust fashion but came through the woods and the trees to deliver.

And it piques this social golfer but gallery fan to look to plan my visit out there.

The ripples of laughter long subsided from my bold introduction from earlier.

And having soaked in Sir Nick’s views on everything from today’s tech to Pringle jumpers and the taxman to LIV golf (not a big fan).

Sir Nick wraps it all up by giving seemingly everyone in the room a photo with him and signing autographs.

I wish him well and tell him he will be very welcome back at Muirfield, where hopefully The Open will return soon.

And when he does he may very well be looking out for me… the eager fan with a phone and I know I’d be recalling Hilton Head and troosers, knees and Faldo’s.

Countries, Europe, Music, UK

Nice one Wirral

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Nice one Wirral as they say in these parts, but what more can we tell you about the Mersey peninsula where the Open Golf Championship is being played?

And where we spent our first night on Merseyside, in New Brighton, ahead of a year working in Liverpool, where I also penned a golf column.

It was while there that I got a call one day from friends at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, to tell me that a golf legend had shown up.

And whether I wanted to interview the legendary Gary Player, who was completing a round for a Japanese television show.

Twas ahead of the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, and we spoke of his fellow South African Ernie Els’s chances.

Gary was in good company in the peninsula, a magnet for sporting celebrities with Liverpool footballer and golf fanatic Ian Rush owning half of the Wirral.

New Brighton new wave

Beacon of hope: Old New Brighton lighthouse

And so back to New Brighton, where we started this Wirral odyssey.

And a reinvented holiday resort for those from the big city and further afield.

New Brighton has touches of the Brighton on the south coast, tower, ballroom and pier.

And an artsy Victorian Quarter with New Brighton priding itself on its street art.

Quick on the draw: New Brighton’s street art

While the 800-seat Floral Pavilion on the prom regularly hosts comedy shows, performances, pantomimes and plays.

And if you’re lucky you might see local comedians John Bishop and Jason Mumford.

Prize guy: with the Claret Jug in Belfast

While there’s everything from mermaids to military history and tunnels on the Hidden Wirral Myths & Legends Tours.

For the Three Gen day troupers.

And New Brighton is just for starters.

Sunlight of our life

For those who want to go back in time then Port Sunlight is a living heirloom.

And a reminder that there was a day when employers looked after their staff, in and out of work.

With Lord Lever setting up a village for his workers at his soap factory, Lever Brothers, which eventually became Unilever… the lucky suds.

And also enlightening them and us, or Sunenlightening if you will, in the arts through the Lady Lever Art Gallery

While Port Sunlight also boasts pop musical history which you can learn about in the Port Sunlight Museum and Garden Village.

And how the Fab Four, with Ringo Starr newly ensconced, played their first gig together.

While fans of Peaky Blinders will recognise the village as Auntie Polly’s home.

So if the commentary around the Open Golf Championship at Hoylake has piqued your interest in the Wirral.

Why not make it a day trip from Liverpool or better still stay there.

Polly, put the kettle on: Polly’s home in Port Sunlight

You will want to do both anyway as you’ll be boarding the Ferry across the Mersey of course.

So Nice One Wirral and remember…

People around every cornerSeem to smile and sayWe don’t care what your name is, boyWe’ll never turn you away.

America, Countries, Culture, Europe, Ireland, Sport

My Sporting Weekend – a tale of two Georgias

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And the result is not long in from Georgia… at this rate we’d have had a winner of the Masters before the Georgians plumped for Trump or Biden.

As it is they decided to go for Joe who wouldn’t look out of place as the honorary starter.

As it goes 85-year-young fitness fanatic Gary Player and Mighty 80 Jack Nicklaus, the most successful golfer of all time, gripped it and ripped it.

Now as it happens I know all about Gary’s legendary fitness having struggled to keep up with him around Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) 25 years ago.

After I’d been invited to accompany him as he shot a piece for Japanese television.

A November Masters has dressed Augusta National in its autumn colours which is different but just as pretty.

Still we can only hope that the famous old major will be back in its spring date next year and that we’ll get to be there.

Golfbreaks offers a selection of flight-inclusive packages for the event which is pencilled in from April 8-11 from £2999.

With the option to extend your stay at Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head or Kiawah Island.

With bespoke packages and a round of golf or an extra day at Augusta.

And as you can see my swing only needs a tweak from when I impressed them all at the Paul McGinley School in Quinta do Lago.

While if you’re more interested in the Open.

Then you don’t have to be this year’s Champion Golfer to enjoy the oldest major of them all.

You can just pose up in the golf village which I did at last year’s Open in Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

A packed Sandwich

This year’s competition was due to have been played in Sandwich (Royal St George’s) and will be next year.

Which means Kent on England’s south coast, and stop me here if I’ve told you this story already.

But when I worked full-time running a newspaper sports desk…

The secretary was tasked with getting accommodation for the golf writer.

Let’s call her Kate and him Paul because that’s their names.

Kate came over to the desk all excited saying she had found Paul a place just 25 miles from the course…. in France.

Which is probably as wayward as one of my tee shots.

The other Georgia

Flag happy: With Ambassador George in Dublin

Not to be mistaken for the other Georgia.

Georgia of the Caucuses and Black Sea, boasts a fascinating history.

With perhaps its biggest claim to fame being wine is first recorded here.

I left with a more recent vintage from lunch at George Zurabashvili, the Georgian ambassador’s, residence in Dublin.

With the vow that I would visit one day (and I will).

And that I would support their rugby team unless of course they were playing Scotland or Ireland.

And it was easy yesterday because they were facing England, although I didn’t bring them much luck.