SLIDESHOW: NI Open attracts bumper crowds to Galgorm Castle

Bumper crowds watched Sweden's

Joakim Lagergren win the Northern Ireland Open at Galgorm Castle on Sunday. Picture: Press Eye. — Bumper crowds watched Sweden's Joakim Lagergren win the Northern Ireland Open at Galgorm Castle on Sunday. Picture: Press Eye.

While Sweden’s Joakin Lagergren was smashing the course record with a nine under-par round of 62 en route to landing the coveted title, unprecedented numbers of spectators were filing through the gates to watch the action.

The event once again broke all European Challenge Tour records.

Official numbers for the final day alone of 13,180 set the seal on an impressive total of 34,481 for the week.

Not even Galgorm Castle Director Christopher Brooke could have envisaged an event of such magnitude when he outlined his plans to open a championship-standard course almost two decades ago.

Even those who weren’t following the actions on the fairways were well catered for - literally - with a hugely successful food village in the grounds of the estate castle plus an interactive golf village behind the 18th hole.

“The combination of quality golf from players on the Challenge Tour and a family friendly golf village and food festival has proven to be a real winner when it comes to drawing a crowd,” said Trade and Enterpise Minister Arlene Foster.