Dubai Duty Free Irish Open: Enjoy golfing greats and contribute to a '˜great cause'

With less than 100 days left until the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, hosted by the Rory Foundation, tees off at Portstewart, Tourism NI is urging fans to book their tickets and accommodation now.
Aine Kearney, Tourism NI director of Business Support and Events and Simon Alliss, Irish Open Championship director, led an engagement event at Portstewart Golf Club to inform tourism industry providers about the all aspects of the tournament in July. INCR 15-751-CONAine Kearney, Tourism NI director of Business Support and Events and Simon Alliss, Irish Open Championship director, led an engagement event at Portstewart Golf Club to inform tourism industry providers about the all aspects of the tournament in July. INCR 15-751-CON
Aine Kearney, Tourism NI director of Business Support and Events and Simon Alliss, Irish Open Championship director, led an engagement event at Portstewart Golf Club to inform tourism industry providers about the all aspects of the tournament in July. INCR 15-751-CON

Past winners Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry will be joining elite names in golf still to be announced to challenge Rory McIlroy for this year’s tournament.

Aine Kearney, Tourism NI director of Events and Business Support, said: “Following the success of the Irish Open in 2012 and 2015 in Northern Ireland with the support of the European Tour and the Rory Foundation we are gearing up for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open 2017 to be the biggest and best Irish Open yet.

Tens of thousands of tickets have already been sold, with only 100 days to go to the tournament and with big names still to be announced we are confident this event will sell out.

“The potential of golf tourism is huge with the average golf visitor spending over £1700 per trip. Tourism NI wants to grow total revenue from golf tourism from £32 million to £50 million by 2020 and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is the perfect opportunity to showcase our world class golf courses to golfing audiences around the world.”

Around 100,000 spectators are expected for the event at Portstewart Golf Club, July 6 - 9.

Simon Alliss, the European Tour’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Championship director, said: “The countdown is really now on for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in July and there are a host of exciting announcements to be made in the coming weeks and months.

“A percentage of all ticket sales go to the Rory Foundation to help make children’s lives better, so all those purchasing tickets will also be contributing to a great cause.”