Five things you didn't know about Irish Open golf course Galgorm Castle

The new Irish Open host has invested £50 million in facilities over the last 10 years

Fri, 14 Aug, 2020 - 17:51

Brian Keogh

- The golf course at Galgorm Castle was the brainchild of businessman Christopher Brooke, who inherited the estate from his grandmother. Designed by Simon Gidman and built by David Snoddy, it opened in June 1997 after a seven-year planning and design process at a cost of £3.5 million sterling. The par-72 course, which was laid out over 220 acres, is bordered by the Main and Braid Rivers which come into play on seven holes. Set among mature trees, the water hazards include a magnificent oxbow feature and a further five landscaped lakes. Featuring four par-fives, four par-threes and ten par-fours, the course now measures 7,250 yards from the championship tees.

- The resort made its first foray into tournament golf in 2013, when it hosted the NI Open. Staged in August, it became a firm favourite with fans and players. The event was played six times between 2013 and 2018, yielding wins for Daan Huizing, Joakim Lagergren, Clément Sordet, Ryan Fox, Ross Kellett and Calum Hill. Last year, the resort staged the ISPS Handa World Invitational Men | Women presented by Modest! Golf Management in conjunction with Massereene Golf Club. The men's event was captured by Jack Senior while the women's title went to Northern Ireland's Stephanie Meadow. The NI Open returns this year and will be a Challenge Tour stop from September 3-6.