Just reward for O’Looney

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.

Ireland’s Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) honoured Paddy O’Looney, the chief executive of SWING (South West Ireland Golf) with its 2011 Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf Award.

Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht Affairs Minister, Jimmy Deenihan, described O’Looney as “a leader in the creation, development and endorsement of the Irish golf tourism industry all over the world”.

Minister Deenihan added: “He has spent a lifetime promoting the world-class parkland and links golf courses of Ireland. His work has been hugely significant to the development of golf tourism sector in Ireland and his greatest gift to Irish golf will be its continued success.”

O’Looney, a scratch golfer himself, is regarded by many as Ireland’s unofficial golf ambassador, and has a happy knack for opening influential doors. He is ably assisted at SWING by Brendan Keogh from Killarney.

The professional manner in which Killarney and Killeen Castle handled the Irish Open and Solheim Cup this year is also recognised in the IGTOA awards, with the Meath resort winning the Parkland Golf Course of the Year and Killarney’s Europe Hotel named Large Golf Hotel of the Year.

Minister Deenihan stated: “Receiving an award from the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association is deserved recognition of the effort put in throughout the year to make the visitor experience as memorable and special as it can be.”

IGTOA’s Boutique Golf Hotel of the year award went to Mount Falcon Estate in Ballina, Co. Mayo while Glasson in Co. Westmeath won for best golf resort. The prestigious Links of the year went to Ardglass in Co. Down.

Vari McGreevy was named Golf Manager of the Year.

Award winners: Paddy O’Looney, SWING (Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution); Mount Falcon Estate, Ballina (Boutique Golf Hotel); Hotel Europe, Killarney (Large Golf Hotel), Glasson Country House (Golf Resort), Ardglass GC, Co Down (Links); Killeen Castle (Parkland); Vari McGreevy, Ballybunion GC (Golf Manager).