The Northern Ireland Tourist Board are to enter talks with the European Tour about hosting the great tournament following-on from Adare’s successful partnership with the championship for a three-year period. One of the early venues for the tournament was Royal County Down, while Portrush was another to stage the championship some 70 or 80 years ago.

Meanwhile, the television exposure earned by Adare Manor during last month’s Irish Open is showing immediate benefits for the five-star venue.  “People have been on the phone from as far away as Australia, and booked room after seeing the tournament on television,” said Anita Higgins, General Manager at Adare.

“We think the place looks fantastic on television, and obviously we’re not alone with that view.”

The Irish Open had an estimated TV audience of 100 million in 30 countries, with significant viewing figures in the United States courtesy of The Golf Channel.

As for 2009 and the Irish Open at Adare, owner Tom Kane is looking for additional sponsors to ensure another successful championship.  “I don’t think it’s fair to expect more from the existing corporate sponsors,” he said.  “What we need is more sponsors.  I have to admire those who have been on board for the last two years and there commitment is for another year.

“If you spread the sponsorship, which is the theory behind it, you strengthen the event in the long run.  In the long run, that’s where the strength of the event is going to come from.  People have to perceive some value out of.  The present values have told us individually and collectively that they feel they are getting their money’s worth.  You must also remember this is a joint venture between us and the Tour.”

Limerick GC’s International Pat Murray was the sole local representative to make the cut at the East of Ireland Championship at County Louth.

Murray, still reasonably fresh from his second outing in the Irish Open at Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, carded rounds of 78 and 72 for an aggregate total of eight-over par.  His second round of level par 72 was one of the best returned on Sunday, a day on which only 11 of the 156-field broke par.  He finished 11 strokes behind comfortable half-way lead Dara Leriehan of The Castle.