Irish Open - Saved

Mister Sifter

Good news for all Irish golf fans...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2008/1210/1228849743393.html

Irish Open set to return to Mount Juliet

SAVED! IF not quite a knight in shining armour, the role played by Minister for Sport Martin Cullen in rescuing the Irish Open is nevertheless akin to that of a modern-day saviour.

Against all the odds in the global economic downturn, the golfing politician has succeeded in securing an international title sponsor for the tournament, which looks set to return to an old stomping ground next May.

The international mobile phone network 3 will next week be confirmed as the title sponsor for one of the European Tour's oldest events. The tournament - scheduled for May 14th-17th - is likely to return to Mount Juliet in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, which staged the event from 1993 to 1995, and also staged the American Express World Golf Championship (WGC) event in 2002 and 2004.

Mount Juliet want the course to be in pristine condition and won't commit to staging the tournament until they can achieve that.

Although the full details won't be announced until next week, it is believed the sponsors are committed to a three-year deal, with the prize fund for next year's tournament set at €3 million, a 20 per cent increase on this year's purse.

The Irish Open was staged at Adare Manor for the past two years - won by Pádraig Harrington in 2007 and England's Richard Finch this year.

But it was included in the international schedule for 2009 even though it didn't have a title sponsor. Now, it seems, 3 have stepped into the void.

Minister Cullen has confirmed that a sponsorship deal has been finalised with the global mobile network which, perhaps not so coincidentally, includes three-time major champion Harrington in its portfolio of sponsorships. The Dubliner has the company's logo on the lapel of his polo shirt.

Cullen believes a strong Irish Open is an essential marketing tool for golf tourism in Ireland.

"I feel it's one of our big products," he said. "We all kind of stood back and let the air out of the tyre after the Ryder Cup (in 2006). And, then, the European Open (at The K Club) went, and I felt we badly need to have the Irish Open back up as a really big tournament.

"We have gone to a certain level next year and we will lift it then over the coming years as well," he said, adding: "I couldn't understand why, in the good years, we were slipping back a bit."

Although the date for next year was already pencilled into the schedule on the proviso that a sponsor was found - coming the week after the Players championship in Sawgrass and ahead of the PGA at Wentworth - the aim of the sponsors, Fáilte Ireland and the European Tour, for the future is to re-establish it as a prime tournament on the calendar.

"It will be a big tournament and we want to put it back up into the higher echelons of golf worldwide," said Cullen "I couldn't understand, notwithstanding the great effort made by Tom Kane in Adare, why there wasn't, in the good years, a really major sponsor."

Cullen also insisted the Government, through his Department, were committed to ensuring the tournament's future.

Credit where it's due, much of the behind-the-scenes dealings in finding a sponsor were conducted by the Minister, who made contact with 3's board of directors in Hong Kong when he was in China for the Olympic Games. The loose ends were tied up yesterday at a meeting in Dublin between the European Tour's Richard Hills and James Finnegan with 3's Robert Finnegan.

"They are a great company," said Cullen. "When I approached them, I just thought, 'this is the right fit'. There are Asian connections, as they are owned by Hutchison Whampoa, and they are bringing major players to the pot internationally. The object was to put the Irish Open back into the top 10 and that is what we are going to do."

Of 3's involvement, Cullen - a member of Waterford Golf Club - said: "They are going to be very committed to it. It is a big commitment from them. They are not half-hearted. It is a big title sponsor. It is a big step."

Part of Cullen's philosophy in putting so much time into securing a sponsor was that the tournament is a strong marketing tool in attracting tourists.

"I felt it was the right thing to do. We don't have that many natural resources, and golf is one of them. I think Mount Juliet would be a good move, in terms of (staging) two WGCs, and lots of successful Irish Opens. The Americans know it, so we obviously want to get more Americans back. It is a fabulous venue and they were in straight away and they were delighted (to be asked to host the tournament)."

At the European Tour Golfer of the Year announcement in London yesterday, where Harrington was named as the recipient for a second straight year, George O'Grady, the PGA European Tour's chief executive, said the sponsorship for the Irish Open was "hugely significant on the European Tour.

Harrington remarked: "The Irish Open has always been a great event. It's coming back up to strength, the money is getting up there. It must be close to $4 million . . . It is getting up there as one of the bigger events on tour."

The Irish Open was staged at Mount Juliet in 1993, when Nick Faldo won, while Bernhard Langer (1994) and Sam Torrance (1995) triumphed in the following years. Tiger Woods won the first American Express played on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course in 2002, and Ernie Els triumphed in 2004.

scout353

Great news indeed.

Glad to see that the event is returning to the South East - Mount Juliet is a great venue!

Adiaga 2

Very good news. Would have been a real shame to lose it. In the 70's and 80's it was the considered the 3rd biggest tournament in Europe after the Open and the PGA Championship. The list of winners right up til the late 90s especially, really reflects that. I read an article recently on irishtimes.com that was written when Seve had one of his wins in Royal Dublin. Hopefully the new sponsors can lure some of the bigger international names back.

Trampas

Thats great.

Tee times available for the days on MJ site. Must book myself a 3 ball

MJ is a great course if you ask IMO.

They might get a good turn out also with how it fits into the calender. Italian Open week before and with BMW after it people might use it for a warm up

romah

NEW RULES :

MOBILE PHONES ARE ALLOWED ON THE COURSE

GOLFERS MUST NOW SHOUT "THREE" instead of "FORE"

SalthillGuy

This is great for Irish golf.
It could easily have gone and then it would tske some effort to get it back.

bigtimecharlie

Good to hear. As I'm working night's that weekend, will not get to wander around the course before playing the course.


Still, glad it will continue and provide an regular fixture on the European golfing calender.

Imagine that the winner of the last 2 majors would not have a home open!

SalthillGuy

It was rumoured that it was going north (NITB), possibly Portrush.
Once it left the 26 counties, it would be hard to raise enough interest to get it back.
Out of sight, out of mind.

romah

I attended most of those Irish Open events in Mount Juliet in 1993-1995 ..was it really that long ago since it was there??

I actually have some old photos ...must post them up soon !!

SalthillGuy

I was there in 1993. I remember the traffic being crazy both in an out of the course. Hopefully things have improved. No roads works, etc....

f22

All they need to do is blow up Thomastown and the traffic will be sorted

benny73

you little beauty

Mister Sifter

Mount Juliet rejects Irish Open offer
Friday, 12 December 2008 18:19
Earlier this week, speculation focused on the Kilkenny course as a likely venue for an event which it has staged on three previous occasions.

Mount Juliet officials have been considering the offer since October but issued a statement on Friday evening in which they express regret that they are unable to accept the invitation based on contractual obligations across the entire estate.

'Mount Juliet was initially approached by The PGA European Tour in mid October to ascertain if it would consider hosting The Irish Open Golf Championship,' the statement read.

'Prior to the completion of Mount Juliet's assessment of the offer media reports indicated that it had agreed to host the tournament.

'Mount Juliet has just now completed a detailed assessment of the many complex factors involved in staging a major golf tournament and has, reluctantly, come to the decision that it is not feasible for it to host the tournament and thus, regrettably, is unable to accept the invitation from The PGA European Tour on this occasion.'

Alzar

Well, feic that! :(

WaldenByThoreua

According to the Indo, Royal Dublin is at the forefront of a campaign to get the open, and Adare is there as well?!

SalthillGuy

I can't imagine it being in Adare.
I think if Tom Kane is looking for it, he will move it to The Heritage. This is a great course. The Sevy Trophy was a bit of a disaster there, but that was down to Faldo not picking one of the Irish guys.

Blunder

I think Adare should get it. The crowds the last 2 years have been better than the last couple of years it was held up around Dublin. It also was contracted to the course for 1 more year and the infrastructure is all in place for a tournament that is only 6 months away. The big problem for Tom Kane and Adare Manor was that they had to underwrite the tournament. Now that a title sponsor has been aquired the monetary strain can be taken from the Manor. I'd be afraid that we'd rush into organising a tournament on a course that hasnt been set up for a tournament in a while and it doesnt work out. I'd rather throw it to Adare again and work with a course like Royal Dublin, Mount Juilet or even the European club for 2010.
In fairnes to Adare they have been 2 successful years so why not let them finish off the intended stint.

f22

Hope it goes to a links course again. Royal Dublin has really been improved and would be a good test if the wind blows.

SalthillGuy

The arguements fro Adare are good. But we find ourselves now in a situation.....
However, I think if we got it on a links course before the Open, it would be a great success. Other serious Open contenders would use the Irish Open for practise. Just like the arrangement with Harrington and the Mr Ruddy at the Europena club. And see what Harrington did.

Blunder

May is too early for players to be preparing for a british open so in its current position in the schedule tourism will be the only benefactor from an Irish open on a links course. I do believe however that a change of date is in line for 2010 putting the tournament back into a traditional late june/early july date which would entice more of the top golfers to the tournament if it was on a links course. I think the field in the 2009 Irish open will be strong as it will be a 2 weeks after the players championship as opposed to the week after as it was this year. The future of the tournament is on a links course but no matter where it is on it has to be supported by the Irish public. Incentives should be looked into involving GUI Members etc for getting people through the gates. 3 will only stay around as long as it suits them. They have no sentiment towards the tournament, it is a business decision after all so we'll have to make it worth their while.

Trampas

It will not be MJ

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/7780522.stm

Mister Sifter

Looks like it's between 3 (possibly 4) courses.

- Adare manor
- Portmarnock
- K Club
- Royal Dublin (an outsider)

http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/mount-juliet-said-no-three-times-but-cullen-went-on-a-reckless-solo-run-anyway-1574491.html

slumped

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Looks like it's between 3 (possibly 4) courses.

- Adare manor
- Portmarnock
- K Club
- Royal Dublin (an outsider)

http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/mount-juliet-said-no-three-times-but-cullen-went-on-a-reckless-solo-run-anyway-1574491.html

Well, if you believe Brian Keogh in today's Irish Indo, the Irish Open will return to Carton House in 2009.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/carton-house-set-to-host-2009-irish-open-1581910.html

By Brian Keogh

Saturday December 20 2008

THE Irish Open looked set to return to Carton House last night after bids to bring it to an east coast links venue came to nothing.

The all-male memberships at both Portmarnock and Royal Dublin are believed to be the main political stumbling blocks to staging an event, which will receive considerable government backing through Failte Ireland, at either of those venues.

Mister Sifter

slumped wrote: »

Well, if you believe Brian Keogh in today's Irish Indo, the Irish Open will return to Carton House in 2009.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/carton-house-set-to-host-2009-irish-open-1581910.html

By Brian Keogh

Saturday December 20 2008

THE Irish Open looked set to return to Carton House last night after bids to bring it to an east coast links venue came to nothing.

The all-male memberships at both Portmarnock and Royal Dublin are believed to be the main political stumbling blocks to staging an event, which will receive considerable government backing through Failte Ireland, at either of those venues.

That would be fantastic!

uberwolf

Graeme1982 wrote: »

That would be fantastic!

especially as I already have my society booked in a Friday in May (better pay that deposit promptly)

SalthillGuy

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Looks like it's between 3 (possibly 4) courses.

- Adare manor
- Portmarnock
- K Club
- Royal Dublin (an outsider)

My money is on Adare.
Easiest to prepare.
The other clubs would just do it for the publicity and none of them really need it.

deko43

Last I heard was that the Irish Open may now be going back to Carton House. I dont think that going back there will do anything to revive the stature of the tournament. I know that from a course design viewpoint its an excellent venue but the last two opens there lacked atmosphere and were poorly attended. I would love to see it back on a links course.
I wonder would the European club take it on ? Hold it there and you may well get some big names in to help them sharpen up for the British Open
even if it is a good few weeks before.

WaldenByThoreua

You may get you wish...Baltray is being touted as the home of the Irish Open next year...

SalthillGuy

Looks like Baltray has it.
Always easier go to a venue that has staged it before.
They know what is ahead of them.
The important is that it looks like it will be saved.
It would be a pirt for Irish golf if it were lost.

Aidric

Adare Manor has been a fantastic host venue for the last two years. I'd love to see it get one more year. The increased prize pot should sway a few more top europeans to the event.