Friday, July 11, 2025
Tourism Ireland gets ready to mark a spectacular island celebration of the island’s golfing legacy with the airing of a feature, one-hour documentary, This is Open Country, which airs later this week in the United States and the United Kingdom. While several of the biggest names in golf are set to convene to play at Royal Portrush, the documentary forms a rich history of Ireland’s illustrious contribution to The Open Championship, tracing the nation’s rich history as well as its undeniable influence upon the game.
Directed by acclaimed Irish filmmakers Ross Whitaker and Bob Caldwell, This is Open Country is a co-production of the R\&A, Tourism Ireland, and the Golf Channel. The documentary tells the inspiring story of Ireland’s record of achievement at The Open, which documents the remarkable rise of several of the biggest names in the game, including Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Pádraig Harrington, and Darren Clarke. Each of these golfing legends has risen from humble beginnings to become names at the very top of the leaderboard, and the documentary charts the passion, the motivation, and the culture behind their climb to the top of the leaderboard.
The documentary features personal interviews with these golfing greats, offering viewers a rare glimpse into the minds of players who have inscribed history on the biggest stage of golf.From their experiences of the hard work they endured to reach the pinnacle of the game are reflections that are provided in the context of the history of golf played by Ireland and how it contributed to their careers.
The film explores the defining events and moments of the history of golf in Ireland, with the commentary of Ryder Cup skippers Paul McGinley and major champion Graeme McDowell, as they provide insightful commentary regarding the rise of the players out of Ireland and their major breakthroughs. These additional perspectives are great context for the viewer as they follow the players’ development from their local course origins to the global stage of The Open. With the aid of This is Open Country, Tourism Ireland is signaling something bigger than the individual success of these golfers — it’s identifying the broader golfing life of the island. The documentary is a salute to Ireland’s long commitment to the game, with its world renowned courses and avid golfing population attracting adherents and players from the international spectrum.
It will first air to millions of American viewers on the Golf Channel on 9 July, and thereafter become accessible to British viewers on Sky Sports Golf and NOW on 10 July. As the program airs, This is Open Country could capture the imagination of audiences and invite a new generation of golfers to take up the sport, while simultaneously highlighting the stunning landscapes and golfing talents that Ireland has to offer.
This documentary film must be viewed by everybody who loves golf. Unprecedented insight into why the Open Championship is such a popular occasion, the documentary opens the door to the enduring legacy of Ireland’s contribution to the history of the game. Tourism Ireland invites viewers, through film, to share the heart and soul of golfing Ireland, positioning the island as a golfing destination which continues to have a lasting impact the world over.
Whether you’ve been a lifelong golf fan or were recently introduced to the game, This is Open Country is a powerful and emotional portrait of the lives of a number of the game’s all-time biggest stars set directly in the rugged landscapes of Ireland. It’s a film that’ll stay with audiences long after the final putt falls.
Aidan Power, Tourism Ireland’s Director of Marketing, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to support the filming of ‘This is Open Country’ through our International Programming Ireland Fund. As an island, we have had incredible success when it comes to The Open Championship and we hope our luck continues at Royal Portrush next week!
“Golf is the world’s largest sports-related travel market and Tourism Ireland is working hard to drive home the message that a golfing holiday in Ireland is about much more than a round of 18 holes – the combination of our world-class golf and our unique brand of hospitality plays a key role in attracting golfers from around the world.”
Director Ross Whitaker said:“We set out in hope rather than expectation that we could get all four of Ireland’s recent Open Championship winners to come together in one documentary and talk about this incredible run of success we’ve had, so it’s incredibly exciting to be able to present this story as told by them. It’s a privilege to be able to present their experiences and also to show some of the stunning locations and courses around Ireland where they learned to become some of the best golfers in the world.”
