The future of the Irish Open gained a more secure footing with today's news that Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort in Limerick will host the national championship for the next three years.
World renowned course architect, Robert Trent Jones Senior, created one of Ireland's finest parkland courses in the 840-acre estate which opened for business in 1995. Since then the venue has demonstrated its pedigree by hosting a number of high-profile tournaments.
Three editions of the AIB Irish Seniors Open (2002, 2003 and 2004) have been played there while last July saw record crowds of 52,000 spill through the gates for the illustrious JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am.
The event attracts a who's who of world golf, including world number one Tiger Woods. Staged every five years, the spectacle also raises millions for charitable causes in the south west of Ireland and last year at Adare Padraig Harrington won both the team and individual competition.
At the time the Dubliner said: "Limerick needs a European Tour event, without a doubt. If people turn up in such numbers for a Pro-Am, they deserve a four day tournament."
The resort's principal owners, Tom and Judy Kane, were delighted to get involved with such a prestigious European Tour event. "We recognise the importance of the event within the Irish golf calendar and expect to join with The European Tour and a number of other sponsors to support and expand the event in the years ahead," they said.
While Nissan ended their four-year relationship with the Irish Open this week, the Tour confirmed that they are currently in discussion with a number of potential sponsors to replace the car manufacturer. O2 and Bank of Ireland are believed to be the front runners for the sponsorship.
The inaugural Irish Open took place at Portmarnock in 1927 and since then it has consistently produced world class champions on the calibre of; Fred Daly, Harry Bradshaw, Christy O'Connor Jnr, Ben Crenshaw, Sam Torrance, John O'Leary, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, José Maria Olazábal, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia and Michael Campbell.
Thomas Bjorn is the current champion after the Dane raced to victory with a pair of closing birdies to deny the likes of home favourite Darren Clarke at Carton House in Maynooth last month.
