Fota Island in Cork is back in the frame to host next year’s Irish Open.

THE country’s golfing Oscars were handed out last night, with an outstanding contribution award for the man credited with packaging the south-west of the country into one of the most formidable golfing brands on the globe.

MAURICE O’MEARA, named manager of the year at the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) annual awards, is confident the ‘3’ Irish Open will return to Killarney next year.

THE legendary Christy O’Connor senior was honoured at the 12th Annual Ireland Golf Tour Operators Association awards this week.

THE €50 million golf tourism sector could be “decimated” if foreign golfers cannot get access to the south-west via Shannon, it was claimed yesterday.

IT’S that time of year again when we shake off the winter cobwebs and our major green fee-taking clubs prepare for an influx of golfing visitors from all over the globe.

IRELAND has been voted the ‘Established Golf Destination of the Year’ by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IGTOA) at a convention in the Dominican Republic.

GOLF tourism interests throughout the country are hopeful but openly nervous as to what the coming season holds in store.