12 councillors on Troon Open fact-finding trip

NO less that 12 councillors were scheduled to travel to the Open Championship in Scotland last weekend on a fact-finding mission ahead of next year’s event in Portrush.

The elected members were accompanied by a single council officer.

While event organisers, the R&A paid for attendance and hospitality at the golf tournament, rate-payers have borne travel costs for all 13 and an overnight hotel stay for one unnamed member of the party.

The 152th Open took place between Thursday and Sunday at Royal Troon on the Ayrshire coast.

Next July the R&A will return to Portrush.

“This visit will help aid preparations and best practice in advance of next year’s Open being held in Royal Portrush,” a council spokesperson told the Chronicle.

Read more in this week's paper.