Winner Rory puts Lough Erne in world spotlight

Mark Conway • Published 23 Jun 2011 13:00 0 Comments

Lough Erne Resort and Fermanagh enjoyed headlines and exposure like never before as Rory McIlroy eased to his first major as he won the US Open by eight shots in front of a worldwide audience of many, many millions on Sunday night.

Moreover, Jim Treacy, the man who brought Rory to Lough Erne seven years ago when the rising star was only 15, believes he is a "truly wonderful ammbassador" for Fermanagh and The Resort and hopes McIlroy's success can "do no harm" in his bid to regain control of Lough Erne after it was put into administration in May.

"On a personal level, I was delighted for Rory he is a fantastic person. I got him associated with Lough Erne seven years ago and he has been tremendous for the place. To see him win the US Open with Lough Erne emblazoned on his bag and shirt can only do good for Lough Erne. We knew he had the potential and that is why I was delighted to get him on board. It is a personal arrangement between Rory and myself but it is very frustrating that at the minute I have not been given the time to show the true potential of Lough Erne," explained Jim who reiterates that he is doing everything in his power to get the Resort back.

Indeed, speaking at Lough Erne in 2007, a week after Rory won the Silver Medal for top amateur at the 2007 Open, when Jim Treacy announced first that Rory would be the touring professional from Lough Erne, Jim said that they were the perfect match and the following years would be a "coming of age for the two".

The irony that McIlroy tasted success in his first major only four years later at a time when the Resort is in administration is readily obvious. It has to be said that it was the work of Jim Treacy and his vision that not only came up with Lough Erne but also associated the hottest property in world golf, Rory McIlroy with Lough Erne and Fermanagh simply has never had a showcase like it.

McIlroy went global on Sunday night and Lough Erne and Fermanagh are flying with him.

The win has elicited support and congratulations from politicians of all hues and from sportsmen from all corners of the globe and the Holywood youngster has the potential to become one of the biggest sports stars in the world.

However, the question remains, will Jim Treacy get the chance to realise the potential of his vision and dream?

The answer to that will eventually lie with the administrators at Lough Erne Resort, KPMG.

The Impartial Reporter contacted them on Monday and put forward several questions, asking if there was any progress since they took over the administration of the Resort but they replied that "they were not in a position to comment at the moment".

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 23 Jun 11

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