Dunloy company plays starring role at The Open at Royal Portrush

The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush has drawn to a triumphant close, attracting over 270,000 spectators and some of the world’s top golfers, including Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, and Bryson DeChambeau, to Northern Ireland’s breathtaking north coast.

While the focus was on the fairways, a local company was making its own mark behind the scenes.

Dunloy-based Eventco Marquees, owned by Johnny McCamphill, delivered premium temporary event structures for the globally renowned tournament in partnership with international events leader Arena Group.

Selected as a key subcontractor due to its proven track record in delivering high-quality marquees for luxury weddings, hospitality, and major sporting events across Ireland, Eventco Marquees has previously worked with prestigious occasions such as the North West 200 and Down Royal Racecourse.

Brian Martin, Arena Group’s R&A Account Director, praised the company’s contribution:

“Delivering an event of this scale requires the involvement of trusted, highly capable suppliers who can consistently meet the highest standards. Eventco Marquees played a pivotal role in fulfilling our scope of works for this year’s Open Championship, demonstrating exceptional professionalism and delivering structures of outstanding quality.”

To meet the demands of the tournament, Eventco Marquees made a significant investment in new premium marquee structures. For McCamphill and his team, the project was as personal as it was professional:

“Being involved in such a world-class event—right on our doorstep—was a proud moment for the entire Eventco team. Working alongside an industry leader like Arena Group and seeing our structures used at such a high-profile tournament was incredibly rewarding.

“This project demonstrated how global events can create meaningful opportunities for local businesses. As a local ratepayer, it’s fantastic to see the economic ripple effect of events like The Open benefitting companies across the Causeway Coast & Glens Borough.”

Held from 13–20 July, The 153rd Open was the largest sporting event ever staged in Northern Ireland. According to research from Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC), the tournament is projected to generate over £213 million in economic benefit.

Eimear Hone, Major Events Manager at Tourism Northern Ireland, hailed the role of home-grown talent in delivering the championship:

“The 153rd Open was a momentous opportunity for Northern Ireland. Local businesses like Eventco Marquees proved that we have the talent, capacity, and professionalism to deliver on the world stage.”

From the greens of Royal Portrush to the marquee-lined hospitality areas, the event showcased not only sporting excellence but also the expertise of Northern Ireland’s business community—firmly placing companies like Eventco Marquees in the international spotlight.