Ballyliffin to host Irish Seniors Open
One of the strongest fields in the 12 year history of the Irish Seniors Open will for the first time visit the stunning Old Links Course at Ballyliffin Golf Club, in Co. Donegal, from June 20-22.
Dual Ryder Cup winner Costantino Rocca of Italy has set his sights on a successful title defence after claiming his maiden Seniors Tour victory at last year’s Irish Seniors Open, played at PGA National Ireland. In order to lay claim to the €67,500 winner’s cheque, Rocca will have to fend off the challenge of the in-form European Seniors Tour rookie Sandy Lyle of Scotland, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of his Masters Tournament victory by playing all four rounds at Augusta National recently. Also competing for the €450,000 prize fund are former winners Seji Ebihara of Japan, who triumphed in 2001 and 2002; the 2004 champion Carl Mason of England; and the 2006 winner Sam Torrance of Scotland. The roll call of past champions features only one Irishman, Joe McDermott, who triumphed at Woodbrook Golf Club in 1998. Eamonn Darcy and Denis O’Sullivan, who recently finished seventh at the season-opening DGM Barbados Open, are amongst the home contingent bidding to end the foreign dominance of the Irish Seniors Open.Another notable name in the field is Sir Bob Charles, who underlined his eternal golfing pedigree when finishing second at the 2007 Wentworth Senior Masters and when setting a record by making the cut at this year’s Michael Hill New Zealand Open at the venerable age of 71. This year’s Irish Seniors Open will again be supported by Fáilte Ireland and AIB, who have been involved since the inaugural event in 1997, won by five time Order of Merit Champion Tommy Horton of England. The tournament will for the first time be played at Ballyliffin Golf Club in Co. Donegal. Officially opened in 1947, the club boasts two courses: the more recent Glashedy Links, unveiled in 1995, and the Old Links, which will be used for the Irish Seniors Open. The 6,910 yards, par 71 Old Links course was upgraded and re-opened in 2006 by Nick Faldo, European Team Captain for this year’s Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Seniors Tour, said: “We are delighted to be holding the Irish Seniors Open for the first time at Ballyliffin Golf Club, and we know that our Members are excited at the opportunity to play a true links course, which is reflected in the quality of the field. “Our thanks go to everyone involved at the club for their tremendous enthusiasm and hospitality, and we would also wish to acknowledge the input of our Associate Sponsors Fáilte Ireland for their continued involvement in Seniors Tour golf, and AIB for their 12 years of support for the Irish Seniors Open.” Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland, said: “Fáilte Ireland is delighted to continue its association with the Irish Seniors Open, an event which affords us the opportunity to showcase the Irish golfing experience to an international audience. With over 430 courses across the country, we have something to offer all golfers – no matter what their skill level or budget. “Ballyliffin Golf Club has for a long time offered a fantastic golfing experience to its visitors, and truly represents great value for money. We wish the club every success with its hosting of the event, and for the season ahead.”Billy Andrews, General Manager of AIB Bank, said: “In our 12 years as title sponsors of the Irish Seniors Open, we have had some wonderful experiences in fabulous venues with many of the European Senior Tour’s professionals. This year, the move to the renowned Old Links course at Ballyliffin Golf Club will allow us to continue this trend, and enable AIB customers in the north west of the country to sample the uniqueness of a Seniors Tour event.” John Farren, General Manager of Ballyliffin Golf Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome The European Tour back to our Old Links course, and are particularly proud to be the first Irish links to host the prestigious Irish Seniors Open. The Old Links is widely regarded as a treasure of world golf, and we look forward to showcasing the recent improvements made by Nick Faldo to a wider audience in June.” Séamus Brennan, Irish Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism said: “It is a privilege to welcome the European Seniors Tour’s star golfers to Ireland. This tournament will bring to Ireland many of the legendary names of golf, and will provide the players with a demanding challenge over true links terrain. The rugged scenery will provide a captivating backdrop, and all involved can expect the traditional Irish hospitality, which attracts golfers from all over the world. “This event has been supported through the Fáilte Ireland Sports Tourism Initiative, which sponsors events which enjoy a high-profile position in their own sporting calendar and can showcase Ireland as a major sports tourist destination. I have no doubt the competitors will enjoy the challenge which this scenic course presents, and that they will provide a weekend of exciting golf for the spectators and the international television audience.” Advance tickets for the Irish Seniors Open are on sale via http://www.europeantourtickets.com/ or can be purchased at the course on a daily basis. Tickets are priced at €10 for a daily ticket, or €20 for a season ticket. Admission is free to under 18s. AIB Bank card holders will receive a discount of 50% off the ticket price when purchased on the gate on presentation of an AIB banking card.
Dual Ryder Cup winner Costantino Rocca of Italy has set his sights on a successful title defence after claiming his maiden Seniors Tour victory at last year’s Irish Seniors Open, played at PGA National Ireland. In order to lay claim to the €67,500 winner’s cheque, Rocca will have to fend off the challenge of the in-form European Seniors Tour rookie Sandy Lyle of Scotland, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of his Masters Tournament victory by playing all four rounds at Augusta National recently. Also competing for the €450,000 prize fund are former winners Seji Ebihara of Japan, who triumphed in 2001 and 2002; the 2004 champion Carl Mason of England; and the 2006 winner Sam Torrance of Scotland. The roll call of past champions features only one Irishman, Joe McDermott, who triumphed at Woodbrook Golf Club in 1998. Eamonn Darcy and Denis O’Sullivan, who recently finished seventh at the season-opening DGM Barbados Open, are amongst the home contingent bidding to end the foreign dominance of the Irish Seniors Open.Another notable name in the field is Sir Bob Charles, who underlined his eternal golfing pedigree when finishing second at the 2007 Wentworth Senior Masters and when setting a record by making the cut at this year’s Michael Hill New Zealand Open at the venerable age of 71. This year’s Irish Seniors Open will again be supported by Fáilte Ireland and AIB, who have been involved since the inaugural event in 1997, won by five time Order of Merit Champion Tommy Horton of England. The tournament will for the first time be played at Ballyliffin Golf Club in Co. Donegal. Officially opened in 1947, the club boasts two courses: the more recent Glashedy Links, unveiled in 1995, and the Old Links, which will be used for the Irish Seniors Open. The 6,910 yards, par 71 Old Links course was upgraded and re-opened in 2006 by Nick Faldo, European Team Captain for this year’s Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Seniors Tour, said: “We are delighted to be holding the Irish Seniors Open for the first time at Ballyliffin Golf Club, and we know that our Members are excited at the opportunity to play a true links course, which is reflected in the quality of the field. “Our thanks go to everyone involved at the club for their tremendous enthusiasm and hospitality, and we would also wish to acknowledge the input of our Associate Sponsors Fáilte Ireland for their continued involvement in Seniors Tour golf, and AIB for their 12 years of support for the Irish Seniors Open.” Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland, said: “Fáilte Ireland is delighted to continue its association with the Irish Seniors Open, an event which affords us the opportunity to showcase the Irish golfing experience to an international audience. With over 430 courses across the country, we have something to offer all golfers – no matter what their skill level or budget. “Ballyliffin Golf Club has for a long time offered a fantastic golfing experience to its visitors, and truly represents great value for money. We wish the club every success with its hosting of the event, and for the season ahead.”Billy Andrews, General Manager of AIB Bank, said: “In our 12 years as title sponsors of the Irish Seniors Open, we have had some wonderful experiences in fabulous venues with many of the European Senior Tour’s professionals. This year, the move to the renowned Old Links course at Ballyliffin Golf Club will allow us to continue this trend, and enable AIB customers in the north west of the country to sample the uniqueness of a Seniors Tour event.” John Farren, General Manager of Ballyliffin Golf Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome The European Tour back to our Old Links course, and are particularly proud to be the first Irish links to host the prestigious Irish Seniors Open. The Old Links is widely regarded as a treasure of world golf, and we look forward to showcasing the recent improvements made by Nick Faldo to a wider audience in June.” Séamus Brennan, Irish Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism said: “It is a privilege to welcome the European Seniors Tour’s star golfers to Ireland. This tournament will bring to Ireland many of the legendary names of golf, and will provide the players with a demanding challenge over true links terrain. The rugged scenery will provide a captivating backdrop, and all involved can expect the traditional Irish hospitality, which attracts golfers from all over the world. “This event has been supported through the Fáilte Ireland Sports Tourism Initiative, which sponsors events which enjoy a high-profile position in their own sporting calendar and can showcase Ireland as a major sports tourist destination. I have no doubt the competitors will enjoy the challenge which this scenic course presents, and that they will provide a weekend of exciting golf for the spectators and the international television audience.” Advance tickets for the Irish Seniors Open are on sale via http://www.europeantourtickets.com/ or can be purchased at the course on a daily basis. Tickets are priced at €10 for a daily ticket, or €20 for a season ticket. Admission is free to under 18s. AIB Bank card holders will receive a discount of 50% off the ticket price when purchased on the gate on presentation of an AIB banking card.
posted by Robert Halter at 5:21 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home