Lough Erne owners fume over Irish Open call

The owners of the five-star Lough Erne Resort last night said they “extremely disappointed” at the European Tour’s decision not to host the 2017 Irish Open at the Fermanagh resort.

The course, designed to critical acclaim by Nick Faldo, had been announced as the 2017 venue in April 2014 when the European Tour decided to take last year’s event to Royal County Down.

At the time it was suggested it was the start of a north-south rotation for the Irish Open and the K Club in Co Kildare will host this year’s tournament this May 19-22 as scheduled.