Cash boost for Belvoir Park’s June Pro-Am
HISTORIC Belvoir Park GC will play host to one of Ireland’s richest oneday Pro-Ams on June 19.
The Belfast club has increased the prize fund for the event to €15,000.
Belvoir Park Club Captain, Gerry Branagh, hailed the decision to boost the prize fund as further evidence of the club’s desire to attract a high quality field to the event.
He said: “We have hosted many Championship events over the years, both professional and amateur with the course being recognised as an excellent test for all golfers.
“We are determined to build on our reputation for high quality presentation and attention to detail. The PGA ProAm is the perfect vehicle to raise our profile within the golfing marketplace and it is our ambition to ensure that this event continues to be an exciting challenge for all the participants.”
Belvoir Park has a proud history of hosting professional tournaments. The Irish Open was played there twice in 1949 and 1953.
The tree -lined venue, designed by the legendary Harry S Colt also hosted the Irish PGA Championship in 1995, when Philip Walton won the title for the fourth time.
This is the fourth consecutive year that Belvoir Park will host a PGA in Ireland Pro-Am, which was won by Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort’s Simon Thornton in blustery conditions last year.
The Newcastle based professional fired a three-under par 68 to edge out Headfort’s Joe Dillon.
PGA in Ireland regional manager, Michael McCumiskey, said: “Over the years we have had a long standing and successful relationship with Belvoir Park Golf Club. It remains one of Ireland’s most iconic parkland layouts and is a popular venue with PGA in Ireland professionals.”
Belvoir Park has undergone an intensive period of change in recent years with the club investing in modern machinery and undertaking a course improvement programme under the direction of course architect, Ken Kearney.
General manager, Jim Cullen added: “It is our intention to reinstate the Harry Colt style and ethos. This has included the creation of new bunkers and some tee box reconstruction.
“Our programme of development and investment is beginning to pay dividends and we trust the Pro-Am competitors will find the course a challenge.”
With morning and afternoon shotgun starts arranged for June 19, PGA professionals should enter via the PGA website while amateurs can enter directly by contacting Belvoir Park Golf Club.