The Open returning to Portrush in '19 has been a boon for the local real estate market. GETTY IMAGES
Before Tiger Woods, golf was "seen as a game played by fat middle-aged men in Pringle sweaters," according to Joe Kearney of the BBC. After, advertisers "flocked to the game, swelling purses as audiences soared." Some of those living in Portrush, Northern Ireland, "may have little interest" in Woods and his fellow golfers but there is "no denying" The Open's return to the town in '19 "could make them a tidy profit." Chris Gordon, of estate agency Armstrong Gordon, said that property prices in the town have soared by a fifth since news of The Open's return was confirmed in June '14. The "prospect of making thousands in rent every time the tournament comes back (it is now on a rota of 10 courses) is a big factor," but Gordon does not credit the announcement as the sole reason. He said, "Prior to both the Irish and British Opens coming, Portstewart, Portrush, Bushmills and Coleraine were in a state of dereliction as the banks dumped probably a quarter of each town on the market. ... Things started to improve but both towns still looked awful. Then the Irish Open was announced for Portstewart in 2017 and there were more programs of works announced." Lynsey Hyndman is "waiting to complete" on a property on Ramore Street, close to the harbor area, and she believes The Open coming to town has "increased demand." She said, "You only have to look at new apartment blocks in the East Strand at Portrush. A four-bed penthouse is for sale at £750,000 ($980,475). ... I would say I paid around 10% more than if it wasn't being held locally." Hyndman is "hoping to recoup some of her cash when the world's best golfers come to town." She said, "It's highly likely I will rent the apartment for the week and would expect to achieve approx £400-£500 ($523-$654) per night." PRH Construction Sales Manager Ashlee O'Neill has seen The Open effect firsthand and believes prices in Portrush have "gone up by at least 15% in the past three years" -- and by 12% in neighboring Portstewart (BBC, 9/21).
