Although the Irish Open has been a fixture of the Irish sporting scene since 1927, it looks increasingly likely that the prestigious golf competition will move abroad. The high winds and rain that interrupted play in 2009 was the last straw, according to organisers, who plan to move the tournament to the Island of Ireland, Dubai for future years.
“It was still be the Irish open,” they said, “just sunnier.”
In Baltray, reaction to the news was mixed. One shopkeeper said that the event brings in millions to the Irish economy, millions that could be lost if the Open went abroad.
“Rain ponchos have been flying off the shelves,” she said, “and umbrella sales have been phenomenal. We’ve also sold a mountain of hats, since many people lost them in the high winds. The Irish Open is good for jobs. I had to bring in a part-time teenager to help out.”
Not everyone, however, was in agreement. The DisPatch talked to an elderly man who wished to remain unnamed, but whose bright orange trousers, checked green and pink jacket, and yellow “I was born to bogey” cap hinted he could be a member of the golfing community.
“This year was a disaster,” he said, “and I’d be all in favour of guaranteed sunshine. A bit of heat would do wonders for my rheumatism. Besides, with the amount of real estate over there now owned by the taxpayer, Dubai is practically Irish soil.”
