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Darren tourism ‘drive’ for Dungannon borough

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster with Open Champion, Darren Clarke announcing that Royal Portrush is to host this year’s Irish Open. Inset, Darren with the famous Claret Jug.

DUNGANNON could be on course for a tourism boom in 2012 thanks to local golf ace Darren Clarke!
Dungannon Golf Club has already swung into action following the news last week that Royal Portrush is to host the Irish Open Golf Championship in June and the Co. Tyrone club is in the process of mapping out an ambitious marketing campaign that will encourage golfers and golfing enthusiasts to visit Dungannon, the home of British Open Champion, Darren Clarke, in the run-up to the event.
“The priority is to get golfers out onto the fairways here at Dungannon Golf Club to experience the course and to savour playing one of the best par three holes in the province, the ninth, which was actually designed by Darren Clarke," said Sean T. Hughes, Honorary Secretary at the Club. "Of course we will also be encouraging them to visit the special Darren Clarke room at the Club which features trophies and other memorabilia associated with Darren and we are also hoping they will take time out to dine in our top class restaurant. We see this as a wonderful opportunity."
Included amongst the memorabilia on display within the recently refurbished Darren Clarke room at the Clubhouse is the flag from the 18th hole at Royal St. George's, Sandwich, which Clarke donated following his Major win back in July.
Dungannon Golf Club is now an officially recognised Northern Ireland Tourist Board Golf Course attraction following an intensive NITB inspection process which was completed back in September.
This followed on from a visit to the local Club by Tourism Minister Arlene Foster on the 26th July last year when she met with officials to discuss the tourism potential surrounding Darren Clarke's success at the British Open.
“That has been a tremendous boost for us and as the home of Open winner Darren Clarke Dungannon is now being actively promoted around the world," continued Sean.
Many local members see the NITB endorsement as being highly significant putting Dungannon Golf Club on a par with Royal Portrush and the likes of Holywood Golf Club, where fellow golfer and Major winner, Rory McIlroy learned his trade, in terms of both golfing appeal and marketing potential.
As part of the ambitious marketing campaign Dungannon Golf Club plans to stage its own Open event, the Darren Clarke Open, on Saturday, 23rd June, that's the Saturday before the Irish Open commences. It takes place from Thursday 28th June to Sunday 1st July.
“We are hoping to encourage many of the players travelling up from the South for the Irish Open to take part in the Darren Clarke Open here at Dungannon and indeed we will be targeting other golfers from further afield," confirmed Sean T. Hughes who pointed out that Killymaddy Tourist Information and Craft Centre would also be helping to promote the event and the facilities.
As well as the Dungannon connection with Darren Clarke there could be a spin-off for local hotels and guest houses with the confirmation that the Irish Open is coming to Portrush.
There has been a lot of talk centred around the availability of accommodation in the North West during Irish Open week and with Mid-Ulster as a region being just a 45 minute drive away from Portrush the potential is huge for hotel and guest-house owners to capitalise on this major sporting event.
Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell have all committed to the Irish Open tournament, which guarantees huge interest.
As one local golfer said: "Now is the time for the local Council to get on board and get behind this ambitious marketing campaign.
“It offers huge potential that could provide a major boost to the local economy and is an opportunity not to be missed."
The BBC is one media organisation that has already shown interest. It has been confirmed that legendary golfing commentator, Peter Alliss is coming to Dungannon Golf Club in March as part of a planned one hour programme on Open Champion, Darren Clarke.

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