Organisers plan to put Irish Open back on map in Killarney

IT WAS only after “robust discussions” between sponsors ‘3’ and the European Tour that the August Bank Holiday was agreed as the date for next year’s Irish Open Golf Championship to be played for the third time over the Killeen Course at Killarney.

It will be staged from July 29 to August 1, meaning it will end on the Sunday evening rather than on the bank holiday Monday. The prize fund is in excess €3million which is a magnificent contribution by ‘3’, Fáilte Ireland and the European Tour. I understand that Killarney are not involved in any financial contribution whatsoever.

The change from mid-May to early August makes for the likelihood of the strongest Irish Open field for years, as it falls a couple of weeks before the European team to face the Americans in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor (Oct 1-3).

The handsome purse allied to the new date should help to restore the tournament to its former glory as one of the most prestigious in world golf.

Much, of course, will depend on the quality of the field. European Tour chief executive George O’Grady saw ‘no reason to apologise’ for the entry at Baltray last May, but in truth it was disappointing.

One of the chief reasons for this was that the tournament was staged in May immediately between the Players Championship in the United States and Europe’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, making it suitable for the globe trotting professionals to take the week off.

This time round, though, the choice of the August Bank Holiday weekend should also prove a major factor in the success of the 2010 championship. Not alone is the weather likely to be a lot more favourable but it allows for a fortnight between the British Open at St Andrews and the US PGA at Medinah. The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is held the following week and while it will attract the 50 best golfers in the world, they will still be able to get quickly from Killarney.

“We spend a lot of time with most of our leading players talking to them about the right date for the tournament and the right venue”, said O’Grady.

“We know we have a real treat in store.”

Nevertheless, O’Grady admitted that: “There is a lot of competition to get the top players wherever you play. You start with the drawing card that you have two of the top players in the worlds who happen to be Irish. You might think that Pádraig Harrington has to play in the Irish Open. Perhaps. But the fact that he wants to means you have him on side. We’re in the time of year now that will make it very attractive for the world players.”

Robert Finnegan, chief executive of ‘3’, revealed that the first date offered was not suitable to them. Robust discussions duly ensued between sponsors and tournament promoter before agreement was reached with O’Grady admitting that “we had to move four other tournaments to accommodate the Irish Open.”

“Our key priority was the change of date,” declared Finnegan. “The August Bank Holiday should be better suited to the Irish weather. With the Ryder Cup team to be finalised a few weeks later, those needing to consolidate their places or trying to get into the side are likely to play.

“And then there’s Killarney … it has a magnificent track record in major events. They have outstanding hotels at all levels and I think we are guaranteed huge crowds. The support and enthusiasm in their presentation was hugely impressive and like ourselves, they want to re-establish the Irish Open.”

As of now, the arrangement is for a one-year visit to Killarney, Finnegan stating that “at the end of every tournament, we plan for the following year. So we’re looking forward to 2010 at the moment”

Jack Buckley, Captain, and Senator Paul Coghlan, President, led a strong Killarney delegation to yesterday’s announcement. And Secretary/Manager Maurice O’Meara confirmed that the hoteliers, restaurants and business people were very much behind the Irish Open and gave an assurance that prices would not be inflated for the week.

Redmond O’Donoghue, Chairman of Fáilte Ireland, deputised for Sports Minister Martin Cullen. He described it as “a good news day” for the country, complimenting ‘3’ for being “energetic, imaginative and committed” while describing Killarney as “the spiritual home of Irish tourism.”