Omagh man Pollock to present Claret Jug at Royal Portrush

AN Omagh man has earned the honour of presenting the coveted Claret Jug at Royal Portrush Golf Club in July at the conclusion of The Open.

Dr Nigel Pollock, a former GP in the town, was named captain of the prestigious golf club on the north coast on April 26th and part of that role involves presenting the winner with the famous old trophy at the conclusion of golf’s fourth and final Major of the year.

Born and raised in Magherafelt before studying medicine at Queen’s University in Belfast, Dr Pollock has had a long-standing association with Royal Portrush where his father was a ‘country’ member and where he subsequently became a junior and student member.

However, while a student, he let that membership ‘lapse’ and it wasn’t until around 11 years ago that he rejoined the club where he has swiftly made an impression, so much so to be named captain during an Open year.

“It’s really only 11 years since I’ve became re-associated with it but I suppose over the last five years I’ve been on the committee and my work on the committee has probably contributed to me being asked to captain,” he explained.

And he admits, it’s a huge ‘honour’ bestowed upon him, particularly the opportunity to present the winner of The Open with their prize: “It’s a great honour,” he beamed. “It’s a great honour and privilege.

“My role will be as an ambassador for the club. There will be Captain’s Lunches on the four days of the Championship, there will be entertaining other Open venue captains, local captains and obviously I’ll try to get out on the course to watch as much golf as I can and it finishes off by presenting the Claret Jug on the Sunday! The captain gets that honour but my duty will be mainly ambassadorial.”

Having experienced The Open first hand back in 2019 when it returned to Royal Portrush for the first time in 68 years, Dr Pollock admits that the facilities for supporters have improved for the 153rd edition of the famous tournament, which is set to attract huge crowds across the week.

“The facilities for spectators are even better this year and I know the numbers are up,” he said. “They are up across the practice days and the numbers across the four championship days are the same as they were in 2019, yet the facilities are greater so there shouldn’t be the perception of congestion.

“There will be more people across the whole week but the spectator experience shouldn’t be diminished in any way.”

Excitement has been building on the north coast ahead of the event since the turn of the year, but Rory McIlroy winning at Augusta to claim his maiden Masters title last month has certainly ramped up the levels of anticipation and Dr Pollock admits it would be nice to be presenting a fellow Northern Irish man with the Claret Jug on July 20th.

“Shane Lowry, an Irishman, winning in 2019 was the icing on the cake but everyone is very hopeful that Rory will do well,” he said. “I don’t think he will stand on the first tee with the same pressure as he did the last time.

“I think he now has the monkey off his back and he could kick on from here. If he was to win at Portrush it would be every Irish golf supporters dream.”