{"id":17556,"date":"2019-07-11T11:46:46","date_gmt":"2019-07-11T10:46:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/?p=17556"},"modified":"2019-07-11T12:04:26","modified_gmt":"2019-07-11T11:04:26","slug":"epic-journey-to-the-open-inspires-next-generation-of-sports-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/2019\/07\/epic-journey-to-the-open-inspires-next-generation-of-sports-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"Epic Journey to The Open inspires next generation of sports stars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TOURISM\nNI’S Epic Journey to The 148th Open at Royal Portrush is set to inspire the\nnext generation of sporting stars in Northern Ireland.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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As\nthe greatest golfers in the world prepare to tee it up at the Dunluce Links in\nfront of 215,000 eager spectators over the next week and a multi-million\ntelevision audience, Tourism NI has led a powerful journey involving more than\n1,000 people from across the community to build up excitement, momentum and\ncivic pride for the golfing Major returning to Northern Ireland for the first\ntime in 68 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over\n600 miles have been covered during the last six months stopping at eight\nlocations in every county throughout Northern Ireland, along with Dublin, while\nthe celebration engaged local councils, golf clubs, tourism industry\nrepresentatives, sports stars and 645 school children.\u3000 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stars\nfrom the world of sport participated to make the journey extra special as\nhockey\u2019s Shirley McCay, international footballer Roy Carroll, Belfast Giants\ncoach Adam Keefe, young golf star Tom McKibben, Armagh GAA ace and netball star\nCaroline O\u2019Hanlon, Tyrone GAA hero Peter Canavan and County Down gymnast Rhys\nMcClenaghan celebrated Northern Ireland playing host to such a prestigious\nevent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nlasting legacy that The Open provides to Northern Ireland was keenly in focus\nthroughout The Epic Journey, with hundreds of budding young golfers and future\nsporting greats being inspired by the excitement and momentum leading into\nRoyal Portrush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourism\nNI\u2019s 148th<\/sup> Open Project Manager, Lesley-Ann O\u2019Donnell said, \u201cOn the\nEpic Journey, we saw so much of the pride that Northern Ireland\u2019s people have\nin a destination that is attracting people from across the world. The\nfriendliness, professionalism and experience we encountered on the journey from\nlocal attractions, sports stars and golf clubs leave us in no doubt that those\nvisiting Northern Ireland are in for the very warmest of welcomes during The\nOpen and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe\nwaiting is almost over and we have thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the\nexcitement of this epic year for Northern Ireland through The Epic Journey, but\nit is only just the beginning. This week the electric atmosphere of The 148th\nOpen will unfold and the prestigious Claret Jug to be lifted at Royal Portrush;\nit will put Northern Ireland on a global stage, promoting the best of what we\nhave to offer and enhancing our reputation as a premier destination for\ninternational events.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnnie\nCole-Hamilton, Executive Director \u2013 Championships at The R&A, said, \u201cIt has\nbeen fantastic to see the passion and excitement among the people of Northern\nIreland for the return of The Open to Royal Portrush and we are very grateful\nto them for their support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\nare now only a matter of days away from welcoming more than 215,000 fans to the\nAntrim coast to enjoy a true celebration of golf and attend the biggest ever\nsporting event ever to be held in Northern Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Epic Journey to The 148th<\/sup> Open was captured on video for all to enjoy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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