The Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI), the body responsible for supporting, promoting and developing the game of golf on the island of Ireland, is calling on young golfers in Wicklow to enter the first ever Irish Open Golf Skills Challenge and win the chance to meet some of the world’s top golfers.
The challenge, which is being held in conjunction with The European Tour, is aimed at helping young golfers under the age of 15 to develop the key skills of the game. The winners will attend the Pro-Am at this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation at Royal County Down where they will have the opportunity to watch players practice and meet some of the world’s top golfers.
The competition, which is open to golf clubs across the island of Ireland, is designed to encourage boys and girls under 15 to develop their Putting, Chipping, Iron Play and Driving skills in a team environment.
Split into two categories – U15 Boys and U15 Girls – golf clubs are being asked to enter one team in each category. Each team will consist of four players, with each player designated to a certain skill, i.e., Player 1 completes the Putting Challenge, Player 2 completes the Chipping Challenge, Player 3 completes the Iron Challenge and Player 4 completes the Driving Challenge. The skills scores are combined to make up a team score. Boys’ teams must have a minimum combined handicap of 64 while the Girls teams must have a minimum combined handicap of 80.
Regional finals will take place at the GUI Ulster Branch Provincial Academy at CAFRE Greenmount Campus in Antrim (April 25), The Heritage Golf Club in Laois (April 26), Ballykisteen Golf Club in Tipperary (May 2) and Galway Bay Golf Club (May 9) with the National Final taking place at the GUI National Golf Academy in Co. Kildare on May 16. All national finalist participants will receive a certificate and a golf clinic with a PGA professional.
Clubs can register their teams at www.cgigolf.org which also contains more information on the competition and how it works.
John Roche, Director of Golf and Business Development, Confederation of Golf in Ireland, says,“We are really delighted to be working alongside The European Tour to launch the first ever Irish Open Golf Skills Challenge. Our role as an organisation is to help advance the sport of golf throughout the island of Ireland and this competition is a perfect vehicle for us to encourage young golfers and their clubs across the country to focus on the key skills required for children if they want to become the next Rory McIlroy. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young golfers and we would encourage clubs to enter their teams as soon as possible.”
European Tour Irish Open Championship Director Antonia Beggs added, “This year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation is shaping up to be one of the best ever. However, as well as making it a tournament to remember, it is very important for The European Tour and all of our event partners to ensure that we leave a legacy in terms of helping to develop golf on this island – although given the incredible performances of golfers from this part of the world, it could be argued that the game needs little development here,” she laughed.
“This is why we have teamed up with the CGI to launch the Dubai Duty Free Golf Skills Challenge at which we really hope we will see some of the stars of tomorrow,” concluded Antonia.
More than 80,000 spectators are expected and tens of thousands of tickets have already been sold for this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation, which is supported by Tourism Northern Ireland. The event runs from May 28 to 31 2015.
Advance tickets are currently available at a cost of £30 or £35 per day with season tickets (for all four days) available for £75. Families will be delighted to hear that under-16s will be admitted free as long as they are accompanied by an adult (up to four children are allowed with one paying adult).
