Council’s collaborative golf programme ‘Road to the Open’ culminates in tour of Royal Portrush for local school children

Children who recently participated in Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s ‘Road to the Open’ golfing programme have been treated to a VIP visit of Royal Portrush Golf Club.

The programme which ran over the last few months consisted of a series of golf coaching session in local schools, which also included a tour of Royal Portrush Golf Club.

The programme was delivered in collaboration with the R&A, Golf Ireland and The Golf Foundation, with the project enabling the children to play golf competitively in a similar style to the Open itself.

The final school visit happened on Wednesday 25th June, with the children meeting representatives and golf professionals from Royal Portrush alongside Council’s Sports Development Manager Stephen McCartney. Local media were also in attendance to mark the end of what has been an extremely successful programme that Council now plans to build upon for 2026 and beyond.

The children from Portrush Primary School were given a tour by Gary McNeill, Head Golf Professional at Royal Portrush Golf Club. This included a visit to the first tee and famous 18th green where the 2025 champion golfer will receive the accolade of lifting the world-famous Claret Jug this July.

The Mayor, Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “It is really important to me that our children have the opportunity to become involved in sport from a young age.

“Well done to all the children who successfully completed The Road to the Open Programme which has proven that given the opportunity, children will thrive in any sport. I hope that through this year’s project we have identified some up and coming stars who we may even see play at the Open in the future.

“Thank you to R&A, Golf Ireland and The Golf Foundation who collaborated with Council’s Sports Development team to deliver this very successful course.”

During the day the children also had the opportunity to chat to the various stakeholders involved in delivery of the 153^rd Open, asking questions about how they too can be as successful as home-grown golfing stars such as Rory McIlroy.

For many of the children this was the first time they had visited a golf course of this calibre and Gary McNeill, Head Golf Professional Royal Portrush Golf Club added: "It is my hope that the return of The Open Championship to Royal Portrush this Summer will inspire children and young people to get involved in the game of golf.

“There is no better way to encourage the next generation of golfers than by getting them involved in Council's Golf Camps and The Road to the Open project which has been running throughout the last few months.

“We are delighted to provide a tour of Royal Portrush, the home of The Open Championship for 2025 and to be involved in golf activities and coaching with these young golfers."

Council’s Sports Development Team would like to thank the many children, schools and teachers who so enthusiastically participated in ‘The Road to the Open’ golf programme.

As the final few weeks before the competition approaches follow the below channels to keep up to date with all things 153^rd Open related:

www.facebook.com/CausewayCoastandGlensCouncil

www.facebook.com/CausewayGlensEvents

www.facebook.com/visitcausewaycoastandglens

Thank you to the schools that participated in The Road to the Open Golf Programme who were:

Bushmills PS, Damhead PS, Millburn PS, Harpurs Hill PS, Irish Society PS, Limavady Central PS, Mill Strand PS, Portrush PS and St Patricks PS.