Local community groups and projects in Portrush are set to benefit from The Open Legacy Fund, an initiative being run by The R&A in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and other key stakeholders in the community.
The Open Legacy Fund supports the local communities in which Championship is held each year so that a positive and lasting legacy is generated from the staging of a major sporting event.
This year’s fund was launched today at the local community engagement session held at Portrush Town Hall and will be delivered alongside a Community Reuse Programme and Player Donation Programmes which will see materials used in the staging and delivery of the Championship and items donated by the Players gifted into the community for future use.
Projects or local initiatives which focus on sustainability, including those embracing low carbon technologies, moving toward a circular economy, promoting and protecting nature, or enhancing social value, are eligible to apply for grant awards ranging from £1,000-£20,000.
Applications can be submitted via The R&A website from today until 27 July 2025. An information sheet about the fund can be downloaded from the website.
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said: “We are extremely grateful for the support that the local community of Portrush has provided to us in our planning for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush and the legacy fund is our way of providing a positive and lasting benefit to local people from the staging of the Championship this year.
“We look forward to working with the local authority to identify local projects and initiatives that will provide environmental and social value to the town of Portrush and its residents in the years to come.”
A panel of representatives from The 153rd Open Legacy Working Group – including The R&A, Causeway Coast and Glens, Tourism Northern Ireland and Royal Portrush Golf Club – will review eligible applications based on set criteria with the aim of supporting projects with the greatest impact.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan added: “We are delighted to partner with The R&A to offer The Open Legacy Fund which will help support local communities, providing a very positive and legacy for residents with community projects, after we host this world class golfing event.
“Thank you to The R&A for investing in this way and Council looks forward being part of that panel that reviews applications received, please take time to visit The R&A website to read more.”
Organisations seeking more information about the fund or wishing to review the Terms & Conditions should contact Greenlinks@RandaA.org
Pictured (l-r) at the The R&A Open Legacy Fund launch at Portrush Town Hall are Siobhan McGuigan, Tourism Northern Ireland; Jonathan McCarron, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council; Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ciaran McQuillan; and Hannah Lynch, Project Manager at The R&A.
Daniel Lightfoot, Director of Sustainable Golf, The R&A; John Kemp, The R&A; and Jonathan McCarron, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
Siobhan McGuigan, Tourism Northern Ireland; Jonathan McCarron, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council; and Hannah Lynch.
Jonathan Mc Carron, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, talks to Karen and Sarah Jane McKinley about how to get involved with The Open in July.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ciaran McQuillan, pictured with representatives from Translink, discussing transport at the 153rd Open in Portrush this July.