Challege Tour Returns To Northern Ireland

The European Challenge Tour will return to Northern Irish shores for the first time in 10 years when Galgorm Castle Golf Club, Ballymena, hosts the Northern Ireland Open Challenge from August 29th until September 1st.

Michael Hoey, a four-time winner on The European Tour, will headline the field at the Country Antrim venue, hoping to add to his trophy haul, having also won three times on the Challenge Tour.

The €170,000 Northern Ireland Open Challenge presents an opportunity for the next generation to follow in the footsteps of the current crop of Northern Irish superstars and begin their path to The European Tour.

It is the first time Galgorm Castle, one of the country’s premier parkland courses set in the spectacular surrounds of an historical estate, will host a Challenge Tour event.

Gary Henry, General Manager of Galgorm Castle, said: “We are expecting big crowds at Galgorm Castle to see some of Europe’s top young players and some of the more established names as well as some top quality home grown talent.

“The excitement is already building ahead of the tournament and, with the support of the people of Northern Ireland, we plan to make this one of the most exhilarating events on the Challenge Tour’s international schedule.”

Alain de Soultrait, Director of the Challenge Tour, said: “We are delighted to bring the Challenge Tour back to Northern Ireland, a country which has experienced such great success on the world golfing stage recently and which produced record crowds at last year’s Irish Open.

“Galgorm Castle provides a superb venue which is fitting of a tournament of this stature and we are sure that in the coming years this will grow to become one of the premier events on the Challenge Tour schedule, creating more and more opportunities for talented young golfers throughout Ireland.

Hoey, whose biggest win came at the 2011 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, said: “I am deeply honoured to be the ambassador for the new Challenge Tour event at Galgorm Castle.

“The Challenge Tour was a hugely important part of my early career and has helped me develop into the player I am today. By hosting an event in Northern Ireland, Galgorm Castle Golf Club is contributing to the development of the next generation of Irish golfers and I am delighted to be able to play a part in the tournament.”