Golf latest - Irish Open to return to Killarney again
The Irish Open will not change venue for the next year.
According to the officials of European Tour, the event will be hitting the greens of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club on July 28-31, but the purse is yet to be decided.
Maurice O’Meara, general manager of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club confirmed the news on Tuesday evening. He said that the entire team of Killarney was delighted at the confirmation. He further added that they were looking forward to welcome the top European
Tour players and their families once again as they had a pleasant experience last time.
Furthermore, George O’Grady, the European Tour chief executive, told the press in Dublin at Irish Links Society Dinner that changing the venue was ‘unthinkable,’ as Irish golf was suffering at massive level. He added that he met the Irish golfers at the
venue of Dubai World Championship and they agreed with his notion. The golfers that Grady mentioned were Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, and Paul McGinley.
He said, “We all sat in a room together and worked out what we could do for the Irish Open. They are all fully behind the event and will give it their full support. We have to keep it going. It’s a great time for Irish golf and, when you see the talent in
Ireland, it is unthinkable not to have an Irish Open.”
The Irish Open has a very strong history with Killarney, which stretches on a period of 19 years. It was in 1991 that Irish Open first hit Killarney and then it came back in the next year. On both occasions, Nick Faldo took the trophy home and around 82,000
spectators walked through the gates of the beautiful locale. Predictions are that the number closer to the figure will be touched, as the event will be taking place on a bank’s holiday in Ireland.
The location for 2011 Irish Open has been finalised and it will once again be Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. The venue is known for its beautiful lakes and dangerous hazards. The course, in 2010, was conquered by Ross Fisher.
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