Irish Open saved
Despite the rumours about the Irish Open not being on the European Tour in 2011, it will be held next year. There was a possibility of the event being taken off the European Tour since ‘3’ mobile withdrew as its title sponsor. This national championship has
gone through a hard time since many years. There was a time during the 1970’s and 1980’s that the best golf players of the world competed in the Irish Open. Now it’s merely trying to stay on the tour.
The major problems arose due to financial setbacks as sponsors withdrew from the tournament. Along with uncertainty over sponsorship, there was shortage of locations, unsuitable dates on the European Tour and unpleasant weather. Such hindrances have thus
prevented the smooth flow of The Irish Open in the previous years.
The Irish Open was an integral part of the Tour and was played in May each year starting in 1927. It went on smoothly until 1950 and then started facing financial problems. From 2007 to 2009, it was sponsored by Adare Golf Club. It was even planned that
it would take place at the Adare Golf Club. However, unfortunately, the Club withdrew the endorsement. The Club withdrew because it incurred financial damage by hosting the event and was going into a loss. Thankfully, the sponsorship was taken by ’3’ Mobile
when they signed a contract in March 2009.
The Irish Open held this year at Killarney was successful and totally revived the spirit this tournament once brought to the course.
By some trick, the company found a loop hole and dissolved the contract this November. The mobile company possibly stopped their sponsorship because they are focusing on the Irish football team. The company’s executive, Robert Finnegan, told the media that
they made the transition since football will provide more commercial value and thus more profit to the brand.
Despite the company not sponsoring, the European Tour confirmed that the Irish Open will remain on the 2011 schedule. The 2011 schedule will be declared after this week’s season ending Dubai World Championship. The Dubai Championship is where Graeme McDowell
will give a shot to being Europe’s number one player. McDowell came in fifth at the Hong Kong Open which left him only €291,000 short of current leader of the Race to Dubai Money List, Martin Kaymer. A decent golf performance in Dubai could earn McDowell a
prestigious honour along with more than 1.7 Million Euros.
This Northern Irishmen not only wants the Irish Open to take place but also be held in Ireland. Following the Ryder Cup, McDowell and Darren Clarke gave statements in favour of the tournament being held in Ireland. Clarke even agreed to host the Tour if
it was set to take place at the Lough Erne Resort or the Royal County Portrush. Both these locations are in Ireland and are decent for an Open to be held at.
The players said that many other golfers are in favour of the Open being held in Ireland. Now that it is confirmed that the Irish Open will take place, hopefully the venue will be acceptable to the contenders as well.
“The Irish Open will go ahead because it is an integral event of the European Tour schedule and given also the exemplary strength of the Irish players on the Tour at the moment,” explained Keith Waters, European Tour director of international policy."It
is early days yet as it was only recently we were without a sponsor for next year, and obviously we hope to find another one. So yes, the Irish Open is continuing with full details to follow.”
Even though not formally announced, the Open is supposed to take place from July 28th-31st 2011. This would be the same Bank holiday weekend as it was this year. The main aim now is to find a title sponsor for the event.
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