A Look at Past and Future Golf Tournaments in Ireland
Golf has always been a popular activity in Ireland, which has some of the most beautiful and toughest golf courses in the world, making it a popular destination for golf enthusiasts from all over the world. In fact, world famous golfer Rory McIlroy hails from Northern Ireland and he’s a household name.
In this article, we will explore golf tournaments that have been conducted in Ireland as well as the future events that golf enthusiasts may look forward to.
Past Golf Tournaments in Ireland
These are some tournaments that have been conducted in Ireland in the past few years:
The K-Club Pro-Am (2022)
Among other golf competitions in Ireland, The K-Club Pro-Am is known for its exceptionally high prize fund. It’s also one of the largest in the pro-am category. In 2022, the total prize was €100,000.
The K-Club Pro-Am 22 featured 100 teams. Each team consisted of three amateur players and one professional golfer. It took place at The K Club’s golf accommodations, Palmer North and Palmer South, on the 11th and 12th of July.
There were 36 holes to compete over. Out of 100 teams, only five top teams managed to win the prize, with the first place receiving €20,000. It was a great opportunity for amateur golfers to play with professionals and showcase their skills.
Connemara Pro-Am (2021)
Connemara is a western Irish region famous for its mountains, lakes, and coastal views. It’s home to Connemara Championship Golf Links that’s known for its picturesque golf course. This is the place where the 2021 Connemara Pro-Am was held.
Players competed for the total prize money of €22,000. This year, golfing world was still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so there were strict rules regarding social distancing for players. The clubhouse and practice ground were closed to prevent mass gatherings during the event.
Regardless of that, the tournament went smoothly. The first winners earned 187 points, while the runners-up earned 181 points.
110th Irish PGA Championship (2020)
Due to the pandemic, many tournaments in Ireland were cancelled or postponed in 2020. Despite that, the Irish PGA Championship, which had been held annually for more than a century, was still held. The competition lasted three days and involved professional golfers from all around Ireland competing against one another.
Stroke-play is the format of this championship. In the final, Ciaran Hegarty, a golfer from Millicent Golf Club, won the year’s Irish PGA championship with a score of 171.
The Irish PGA Championship’s total prize money this year was €32,000. The first and second places received €4,000, while the third place won €2,560.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Open (2019)
The Irish Open has been held annually for more than 60 years. In 2019, it was named Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for a sponsorship reason and was held at Lahinch Golf Course, which is located in Lahinch, Ireland.
This competition went on for three days, from July 4 to July 7, 2019. Jon Rahm emerged as the winner of the tournament with a score of 264. This score was not only the lowest score in the Irish Open’s history, but also the second time that Jon Rahm achieved this feat, having also scored 264 in the 2017 tournament.
The winner’s share for this year’s Irish Open was around 1 million Euros. This also marked the highest prize throughout the history of the Irish Open.
The Heritage Challenge Pro-Am (2018)
The Heritage Challenge Pro-Am golf event was held on June 2nd and 3rd, 2018, at The Heritage Golf Course in County Laois, Ireland. It was held over two days, with Michael McGeady, an Irish golfer from Evolve Golf Coaching, winning by a three-shot margin. He is also a well-known professional golfer who has won several events over his career.
Shell Pro-Am at Carne Golf Links (2017)
The Shell Pro-Am at Carne Golf Links was held on June 17th and 18th, 2017, in Belmullet, County Mayo, Ireland. It was played by three-person teams over 27 holes of links golf, which is a type of golf played on coastal courses.
David Higgins, a professional golfer from Waterville Links, won this tournament. He and his team achieved the victory after putting on an excellent show of links golf. David Higgins is also a well-known golfer who has won several events over his career.
Upcoming PGA Tournaments in Ireland to Look Forward to
These are some famous upcoming tournaments in Ireland:
The K-Club Pro-Am
The K-Club Pro-Am will take place on May 30 at the K-Club Palmer South Course. It has a new headline sponsor, MCM Engineering. The competition will include 50 teams comprising three amateurs and one professional. These teams will compete over 18 holes on both The K-Club’s Championship Golf Courses, Palmer South and Palmer North.
The club has prepared €25,000 for the winners. At the end of the event, prizes will be distributed to the top three teams. With two top-tier courses and the competitive spirit of the players, this tournament promises to be an exciting and memorable event for all participants.
Vermilion Energy Carne Pro-Am
This championship will take place at Carne Golf Links, Belmullet, Ireland, on June 10 to June 11. It’s sponsored by Vermilion, a global energy company that produces oil and gas properties.
The tournament will consist of two rounds. There’s an entry fee of €50 for players who wish to participate. It also offers €20,000 in total prizes for players who rank the highest.
Donegal Pro-Am
The Donegal Pro-Am is set to take place on July 7 and July 8, 2023, at Donegal Golf Club Murvagh. This match is available to both professional and amateur golfers who want to showcase their abilities. The golf club itself is located on the picturesque Murvagh peninsula in Donegal Bay, offering a lovely setting for the competition.
If players wish to participate, they must register on June 22 at the latest. The total prize of the championship is €25,000, which is a significant incentive to encourage participants to play their best. To register, players must pay the €50 entry fee. However, if they wish to enter as a team, they need to pay €750.
113th Irish PGA Championship
The Irish PGA Championship, which has been highly anticipated, is scheduled to take place from August 10 to August 12. Prior to the championship, on August 9, there will be an Irish PGA Championship Pro-Am, which is held for professional and amateur golfers.
This championship will see the participation of 120 players, who will compete for a total prize fund of €50,000. This year’s Irish PGA Championship is expected to be highly competitive.
Just like the previous Irish PGA Championship events, this championship will feature 54 holes of stroke play, with 18 holes played each day. The final round that determines the winner will be held on the last day.
PGA Open Series (Ireland)
The 2023 edition of the PGA Open Series in Ireland is scheduled to take place on September 6th and 7th. Douglas will host this tournament. This tournament is exclusively for professional players, and they will compete for a total prize pool of €23,000.
Furthermore, the prize money is similar to that of the previous year’s event. Interested players need to pay a registration fee of €115 to participate in the tournament. The deadline for registration is August 22, 2023.
Also Read: Winter Golf Series
Horizon Irish Open 2023
The Horizon Irish Open 2023 promises to be an unforgettable event for golfers. This event is planned to take place from September 6 to September 10. K Club will host this competition. The location is just 30 minutes away from Dublin.
What’s unique about this year’s Irish Open is that it is more than just a golf tournament. Irish Open 2023 also features live music that celebrates the best of Irish culture and entertainment. It will surely attract many spectators due to its strategic location not far from Dublin.
Bottom Line
From Irish Open to the Irish PGA Championship and The K-Club Pro-Am, Ireland has so many golf tournaments that attract people from all over the world. These events showcase not only the top golfers in the world but also the stunning scenery, rich history, and warm hospitality that the country is renowned for.
