As work begins in deconstructing the temporary buildings and stands that formed the infrastructure of the Open, the baton passes to the next Open venue, Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI) were at Carnoustie promoting the 148th Open Championship in 2019, and seeing how the event is put together.
The Courier spoke to Lianne Rice, Golf Marketing Manager for TNI who was based at the Open for the week.
She said: “One of the reasons were are here is to help people who are planning on coming over next year, so we are promoting places to stay and things to do, and it’s great that we have our colleagues from Visit Scotland next door.”
Lianne also paid tribute to the welcome they received at Carnoustie: “It’s been fantastic, and there’s been a great sense of excitement, and a huge amount of positivity.
“The people here are fantastic and I think Scottish and Irish people are very similar, and the hospitality here has been wonderful, and the people so welcoming.
“We are staying just outside Dundee and it’s been great, with very friendly people.
“There are people at the Open from America and Australia, and these are key markets for us to attract to the Open next year.
“On top of that, screen tourism is very important to us, and we have 26 filming locations throughout Northern Ireland, for Game of Thrones for example.
“In general, the consensus is that in UK and Ireland membership at golf clubs has decreased, but that golf visitors are increasing as clubs are open to allowing visitors to play their course and share the fantastic experience.”
Next year will see Northern Ireland host the Open Championship for the first time sixty-eight years.
