For Immediate Release Wednesday 19th August 2015
European Commissioner Phil Hogan & Christy O’Connor Jnr officially launches Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Resort
The European Challenge Tour’s return to the Republic of Ireland for the first time in six years, for the Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa and Golf Resort, was officially launched today (Wednesday, August 19) at the prestigious Carlow venue, where Commissioner Phil Hogan was in attendance along with course designer and Irish golfing legend Christy O’Connor Jnr.
The Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI) and the Irish Sports Council – also in attendance - have also come on board as partners for the event.
The tournament, which takes place from October 8–11, will mark the first time the stunning Christy O’Connor Jnr-designed Championship course at Mount Wolseley - located one hour from Dublin - will host a major professional event under the auspices of The European Tour.
O’Connor Jnr, whose two-iron shot at the 18th hole of The Belfry on the way to Europe retaining The 1989 Ryder Cup is remembered as one of the greatest shots in the tournament’s long history, was present at Mount Wolseley to officially launch the event.
He said: “Mount Wolseley is truly one of my proudest creations as a course designer so I am thrilled that it will play host to some of Ireland, Europe and the world’s most promising young stars for such a prestigious event right at the business end of the European Challenge Tour schedule.
“It is an idyllic and lush parkland course that is sure to test every facet of the players’ games while also providing plentiful enjoyment for hugely talented golfers who travel the globe and play on some of the best courses in the world.
“ The Challenge Tour has produced many superstars of the game – the likes of Thomas Bjørn, Martin Kaymer, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson spring to mind – while a lot of Ireland’s finest players have also passed through that system on the way to the top.
“I am sure that a host of the young up and comers playing at Mount Wolseley in October will go on to very big things in future, perhaps even winning Major titles and competing in Ryder Cups.” Tetrarch Capital, the new owners of Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, have committed to hosting the event at Mount Wolseley in 2016 and 2017 after signing a three-year deal, partnered by the CGI and the Irish Sports Council.
A host of Ireland’s most promising up and coming stars are expected to join a field which will also comprise many of Europe and the world’s most talented young players.
The Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort is ideally placed in the Challenge Tour’s schedule for a week of golfing drama - the third last event of the season - as the race for the top 15 in the Challenge Tour’s Road to Oman Rankings nears its thrilling climax.
The last time a Challenge Tour event took place in the Republic, Englishman Robert Coles emerged victorious after a play-off with former Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium to win the Challenge of Ireland in 2009.
The announcement comes at an opportune time for Irish golf, as 24 year old Derryman Ruaidhri McGee continues to impress on the Challenge Tour – currently just outside the all-important top 15 in the Road to Oman Rankings – while a host of promising young players including Paul Dunne, Jack Hume, Gary Hurley, Gavin Moynihan and Cormac Sharvin are rising through the amateur ranks with great distinction.
McGee, for one, is thoroughly excited at the prospect of returning to the Emerald Isle for a second time this season.
He said: “I’ve never been lucky enough to actually play Mount Wolseley yet but I’ve heard great things about it so I cannot wait to see it for myself in October”.
“It’s fantastic to play in front of your home crowds and it’s great that we now have a tournament in the Republic of Ireland. The Northern Ireland Open has shown how strong the appetite for golf is at the moment, and we have a lot of Irish players on the tour so it makes sense to have another tournament of our own, and a chance to showcase Irish talent.
“The public in Ireland love their golf - I’m surprised we haven’t had a Challenge Tour event for so long until now really because the fans are brilliant - and it’s good for golf at home as well, encouraging more youngsters and showing them first-hand what professional golf is like.
“Given where it is in the calendar, just two events before the Grand Final, it should be the strongest field possible. Everyone will be playing it to get a better position in the Road to Oman Rankings, so that will add to the atmosphere and to the tournament as a whole . I’d really encourage the public to come out and support the home grown talent that will be on show”
The Challenge Tour provides the perfect opportunity for players turning professional to make their mark in the paid ranks, and direct graduation to The European Tour is the rich reward for those who succeed.
That is the reason why many of world’s finest players have chosen to begin their professional careers on Europe’s top developmental tour - with recent BMW PGA Championship winner Byeong-hun An of Korea, as well as the last two respective European Tour Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award winners Koepka and Peter Uihlein, crossing the Atlantic to begin their careers on the Challenge Tour.
Redmond O’Donoghue, Chairman of the Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI), said: "The CGI and the Irish Sports Council are delighted to be associated with the Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort, which will provide Team Ireland players with vital tournament exposure and opportunities to gain full playing rights on the Challenge and European Tours.
“Securing Tour starts for up and coming professional golfers is a crucial cog in the CGI's High Performance Programme, which aims to build on the excellent High Performance Programmes for amateur players administered by the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union.“I would like to express my gratitude to the Irish Sports Council for their continued support, both in expertise and funding, of Team Ireland Golf.”
Alain de Soultrait, European Challenge Tour Director, said:
“It is fantastic news that the Challenge Tour will return to the Republic of Ireland for the first time since 2009. The country has produced numerous world-class golfers and possesses many of the finest golf courses on the planet. Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is a fittingly stunning venue and is sure to be very popular with the players, staff and Ireland’s famously knowledgeable golf fans.
“A lot of hard work has gone into making this tournament happen and we extend our sincere thanks to Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort and Tetrach Capital for backing this event, as well as the CGI and the Irish Sport Council for their passion and vision in giving Ireland’s up and coming golf stars a chance to make that crucial breakthrough in professional golf. We look forward to a great week in Carlow.”
Kate Harrison, Resort Manager at Mount Wolseley, said:
“Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is one of Ireland’s finest destination resorts. The Management Team at Mount Wolseley is thrilled that we can bring such a prestigious professional golf event of international stature to our famous Christy O’Connor Jnr-designed Championship course. We are really looking forward to showcasing our wonderful Resort and our renowned hospitality to Europe’s next generation of young golfers and to the large visitor numbers we expect for the event.”
Michael McElligott, Chief Executive of Tetrarch Capital, said:
“The Challenge Tour players will delight in the presentation of the Championship course at Mount Wolseley whilst also enjoying the warm welcome of our Resort, which was rewarded the Best Golf Resort in Leinster at the Golfers Guide to Ireland Awards 2013. A tournament like this does not happen overnight and we must thank the CGI and the Irish Sports Council for putting their weight behind this event, while we also look forward to working closely with the Challenge Tour through our hosting of this very exciting tournament again in 2016 and 2017.”
Details on ticketing and hospitality will be available on http://www.mountwolseley.ie/ shortly.
About Tetrarch Capital
Tetrarch Capital is an Irish owned, Dublin based real estate investment and development platform that is particularly active in the office, retail, residential, hotel and leisure sectors. Tetrarch currently co-owns and manages assets with a value in the region of €450 million, with accommodation extending to over 2.5 million square feet. Tetrarch’s hotel and leisure investments include: Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort; Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel; Citywest Hotel; Powerscourt Hotel; Killashee House Hotel and Spa; and the Marker Hotel and The Clonmel Park Hotel.
About Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Golf Resort
Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Golf Resort in County Carlow, Ireland, has become firmly established as an attractive option for golf groups and organisers of business and pleasure events. The resort is located just one hour from Dublin and within easy reach also for golfers travelling from points as far apart as the midlands, West, South and Eastern region. The challenging 18-hole Christy O’Connor Jnr designed Championship course has matured beautifully with age and offers stunning views of the Carlow mountains and countryside. The Resort boasts extensive conference and leisure facilities along with an awarding winning Spa, catering for the business and leisure guest alike.
About The Confederation of Golf in Ireland
The Confederation of Golf in Ireland was created last year by the GUI, ILGU and the PGA, to support, promote and develop the sport of golf on the island of Ireland.
The formation of the CGI followed 18 months of study and preparation by the associations together with the Irish Sports Council and Sport Northern Ireland. The CGI will complement the work of the associations as well as providing a necessary combined approach to certain key strategic areas in the future development of golf in Ireland.
ENDS
Contacts
For Mount Wolseley / Tetrarch Capital: Doug Keatinge, Murray, Tel: +353(0) 86 0374163 [email protected]
For European Challenge Tour: Jamie Hodges, Senior Project Manager, Challenge Tour
Tel: +44 (0) 1344 840 552,
For Confederation of Golf in Ireland : Breda Brown, Unique Media
Tel: + 353(0) 87 2487120