An Irish Open at Portrush will boost Open return hopes
Darren Clarke's Open win at Sandwich has led to renewed hopes that the major event could return to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951.
"We're looking at bringing the Irish Open to Portrush," said the minister.
"That is very much a probability in the near to medium future."
The minister added:"That will showcase Royal Portrush in a way which will make it easier for us to get the British Open here.
"Once the R&A (Royal & Ancient) can see that we can organise an event like the Irish Open, they will be looking at us in a more meaningful way.
"That's what we need to do. To stage - if you like - some of the intermediate championships before we go for the big one.
"We're very much working on that. We've been in negotiations with Royal Portrush. I'm here today having a chat with them again and I will continue to do that."
The minister spoke of her belief that infrastructural and logistical difficulties could be overcome to ensure that the Open will one day make a return to Northern Ireland.
"We don't have to base everybody in and around Portrush.
"If you look at Royal St George's, they have been busing people from all around the south of England.
"Northern Ireland is a pretty small place. I think we can very much accommodate the British Open in the future."
Royal and Ancient Club chief executive Peter Dawson admitted on Monday that Northern Ireland's three recent major wins had given fresh momentum to the calls for the Open to return to Portrush for the first time since Max Faulkner's 1951 triumph.
Clarke's memorable three-stroke win on Sunday saw the popular 42-year-old join Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell as players from Northern Ireland who have won Majors in the last 13 months.
"We're all very aware of the fact that three winners from Northern Ireland increases the interest level in this," said Dawson.
R&A officials have previously questioned whether Portrush has sufficient infrastructure to cope with the tournament, which attracts tens of thousands of fans over several days.
Dawson was unable to pinpoint Portrush's exact shortcomings when asked to do so on Monday.
"I don't know yet until we've had another look at it, to be honest," added the R&A chief.
"The usual mixture of a great course and plenty of infrastructure, combined with a prospect of commercial success, is what's needed.
"No doubt about the golf course at Portrush, although there might be one or two things one would do, but the other two are what we have to look at, one of them is theTaylorMade Tour Preferred CB Irons, which is now quiet popular and on hot sale at the golf clubs for sale.
"I don't want to start a hare running on this, other than we are going to take a closer look."
Dawson also added that the political situation in Northern Ireland could potentially be an issue after violence erupted in the region last week.
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"We're looking at bringing the Irish Open to Portrush," said the minister.
"That is very much a probability in the near to medium future."
The minister added:"That will showcase Royal Portrush in a way which will make it easier for us to get the British Open here.
"Once the R&A (Royal & Ancient) can see that we can organise an event like the Irish Open, they will be looking at us in a more meaningful way.
"That's what we need to do. To stage - if you like - some of the intermediate championships before we go for the big one.
"We're very much working on that. We've been in negotiations with Royal Portrush. I'm here today having a chat with them again and I will continue to do that."
The minister spoke of her belief that infrastructural and logistical difficulties could be overcome to ensure that the Open will one day make a return to Northern Ireland.
"We don't have to base everybody in and around Portrush.
"If you look at Royal St George's, they have been busing people from all around the south of England.
"Northern Ireland is a pretty small place. I think we can very much accommodate the British Open in the future."
Royal and Ancient Club chief executive Peter Dawson admitted on Monday that Northern Ireland's three recent major wins had given fresh momentum to the calls for the Open to return to Portrush for the first time since Max Faulkner's 1951 triumph.
Clarke's memorable three-stroke win on Sunday saw the popular 42-year-old join Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell as players from Northern Ireland who have won Majors in the last 13 months.
"We're all very aware of the fact that three winners from Northern Ireland increases the interest level in this," said Dawson.
R&A officials have previously questioned whether Portrush has sufficient infrastructure to cope with the tournament, which attracts tens of thousands of fans over several days.
Dawson was unable to pinpoint Portrush's exact shortcomings when asked to do so on Monday.
"I don't know yet until we've had another look at it, to be honest," added the R&A chief.
"The usual mixture of a great course and plenty of infrastructure, combined with a prospect of commercial success, is what's needed.
"No doubt about the golf course at Portrush, although there might be one or two things one would do, but the other two are what we have to look at, one of them is theTaylorMade Tour Preferred CB Irons, which is now quiet popular and on hot sale at the golf clubs for sale.
"I don't want to start a hare running on this, other than we are going to take a closer look."
Dawson also added that the political situation in Northern Ireland could potentially be an issue after violence erupted in the region last week.
More information: http://www.buycheapgolf.com/
