Christy O’Connor Jnr remembered as Moyvalley to host Irish PGA

This year’s Irish PGA Championship will be hosted on the Twin Oaks championship course at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort from September 21-25.

And as a mark of respect to Irish golfing legend, the late Christy O’Connor Jnr, the PGA in Ireland will host the inaugural Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Irish PGA Championship Pro-Am on the opening Wednesday.

Shabra Charity is the official charity of the 2016 championship.

Michael McCumiskey, secretary of PGA in Ireland, said: “We are pleased that this year’s event will not only be staged at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort but also sponsored by the venue and we thank the directors for their generous support of the tournament. The commitment is for three years, and the directors of Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort have given their clear intention to support and host this historic tournament until 2018.”

“Following the sad passing of Christy O’Connor Jnr, it is fitting that, in agreement with his family and the directors at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort, the championship pro-am will bear his name and be titled The Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Irish Championship PGA Pro-Am.”

The O’Connor family have welcomed the announcement and stated it was “a very fitting mark of respect which we hope will help to continue his legacy and commitment to the game of golf.”

The Irish PGA Championship has been staged since 1907.