2016 Irish open?

spoke2cun

Has the venue been announced yet? Thanks.

Golfgorfield

K Club, Palmer course.

mike12

Thought it was Lough erne

Kevinmarkham

mike12 wrote: »

Thought it was Lough erne

That's 2017, Mike.

Mantis Toboggan

Good that it's back on parkland.

Possible course for the society next season!!

ShivasIrons

It hasn't been announced yet. Looked like the K Club was going to be announced but hasn't been yet. Some say it's likely but others saying it's unlikely.

Montgolfier

Wonder whose holding the trump card?....

redarmy

it will be in k club;)

mike12

Think it is crazy having it on a parkland course. Visitors come here to play links courses, what better way to advertise them than 4 days on tv.

The Americans have hundreds of courses like the kclub.

Golfgorfield

An event of that size does huge damage to the linksland, courses simply don't want it as it takes too long for the place to recover.

spoke2cun

Good point Mike12. l agree 100%.

Mantis Toboggan

Top professionals if given a choice want to play parkland courses, we need to keep attracting the top players.

PARlance

Links...Parkland...

I don't think that's a concern for 2016, finalising and announcing the venue would be a start.
I don't think it's a major secret that the K Club have it but there is obviously something holding things back.
You need to have the venue on the rota fairly sharpish to increase the chances of luring more than just the european tour regulars & Irish golfers.

Only in Ireland would you get the 2017 event announced nearly a year before the 2016 one.

PARlance

Dennis Reynolds wrote: »

Top professionals if given a choice want to play parkland courses, we need to keep attracting the top players.

Last year saw the Irish Open have it's highest rating (best field) of the modern era...since the big European players decided to play their golf on the PGA... so I don't think that's the case at all.

Rory played a big part so it can't be put down to links alone.
While our parklands can be nice, similar or better can be found in most other countries. Its not a selling point for the top Pro's, a top links in the run up to The Open would be. But getting it on a links is not easy.

HighLine

Whatever about the links v parkland debate, I wold love to see back at Druids Glen for a year. Imagine how that would look in full bloom on HD. I know they were actively pursuing getting it back 2 years or so ago but not sure if that is still the case.

OffalyMedic

Rory announced via Facebook this morning that the Rory Foundation will be hosting the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for next 3 year, starting with the K Club from 19-22nd May 2016

Montgolfier

Prize money gone up to 4 million too.

Seve OB

Well it looks like it has been officially confirmed this morning for anyone who doubted it.

2016 will see the Irish Open played at the K-Club. Class, that's a week off work as it's only down the road, I'll see ya all there every day

video here, and probably on facebook and twitter and everywhere else by now
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=274201.html#f0Al3cDmpAdQ580q.97

Seve OB

haha, my pc froze, yis got there before me.

4million is a big pot... should drag a few big names in again

Montgolfier

I'm going to go Thursday and Friday this year.. I want to see the host play.

ronnie3585

Partnered with Dubai Duty Free and the Rory Foundation for the next 3 years with a big bump in the purse for the K Club, sure to see some big names there.

http://m.rte.ie/sport/golf/2015/1012/734137-massive-boost-for-irish-open-prize-fund/

Seve OB

it's amazing what can happen when 2 people get drunk together

Telecaster58

PARlance wrote: »

Last year saw the Irish Open have it's highest rating (best field) of the modern era...since the big European players decided to play their golf on the PGA... so I don't think that's the case at all.

Rory played a big part so it can't be put down to links alone.
While our parklands can be nice, similar or better can be found in most other countries. Its not a selling point for the top Pro's, a top links in the run up to The Open would be. But getting it on a links is not easy.

After experiencing the weather at this year's Open it will be interesting to see if any of the big names return.

Benicetomonty

Telecaster58 wrote: »

After experiencing the weather at this year's Open it will be interesting to see if any of the big names return.

Was thinking the same myself. The Irish Open has been plagued by the weather for the last few years (fota excepted). Really hope we get a decent week next May, was very enviour of the British Masters last week, where they got 4 perfect days in October! Crap weather puts off the big players, no question. Would be amazed to see Garcia or Els play again, although fond Ryder Cup memories may attract the former.

FixdePitchmark

Great news.

And what we have been calling for.

An early announcement.
A very big prize fund.


Not a fan of course -
The Tax Exile owner

But logistically a good location.

PARlance

Benicetomonty wrote: »

Was thinking the same myself. The Irish Open has been plagued by the weather for the last few years (fota excepted). Really hope we get a decent week next May, was very enviour of the British Masters last week, where they got 4 perfect days in October! Crap weather puts off the big players, no question. Would be amazed to see Garcia or Els play again, although fond Ryder Cup memories may attract the former.

I think that, the Ryder Cup 10th Anniversary, is going to be the angle they work this year. And in particular the fact that Clarke is the current Captain and we all know what it meant to him 10 years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if they got a full strength RC panel from Europe.

Rickie & the Walker Cup connection etc worked well last year. It would be a big ask to get the likes over again but maybe some of the 2006 US team could be convinced imo.