Ireland once again to the fore for golfing success

Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor lifted the trophy at the inaugural G4D Open at Woburn on 12 May, putting the 26yearold at the top of the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability. Lawlor, who turned professional in 2019, made history by becoming the first disabled golfer to compete on the DP World Tour at the ISPS HANDA UK Championship in August 2020.

He joins the impressive list of champion golfers who hail from the Island of Ireland, including Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadows.

It was also announced recently that Portmarnock will host the 121st Women’s Amateur Championship in June 2024. The competition attracts an international field and is one of the leading championships in amateur golf for female golfers.

Portmarnock’s championship golf links, which hugs the coastline north of Dublin, is highly respected by the world’s top players. The links is consistently ranked among the best golf courses in the world and has hosted a number of international tournaments. It was the stage for the first ever playing of the Irish Open in 1927 and has hosted the event on 18 occasions.

This year the Horizon Irish Open (7–10 September) will take place in another premier golf resort, The K Club in County Kildare. Considered to be one of the most important golf destinations in Europe, the club has two parkland golf courses designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. The North Course will host the Horizon Irish Open in 2023, 2025 and 2027.

Meanwhile, two top golf courses in Northern Ireland will host the prestigious 2023 ISPS HANDA World Invitational (17–20 August).

Galgorm Castle Golf Club is Northern Ireland’s premier tournament venue. The parkland course, in the heart of the historic Galgorm Estate, was the venue for the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and host venue to the Northern Ireland Open for over a decade.

Cohosting the event this year is Castlerock Golf Club on the spectacular Causeway Coast. Another topclass links course, it is characterised by towering dunes and undulating fairways.

And Ireland will be the centre of golfing attention again in 2027 when the centennial Ryder Cup will be hosted in Adare Manor in County Limerick. The premier golf team event in the world, the Ryder Cup pits Europe against the USA. The lush parkland course at Adare Manor is regarded as a standout golfing destination, while the luxury, multiawardwinning hotel was given a fivestar rating by Forbes Travel Guide 2023.

Ireland’s world-class golf courses and golfing talent have recently made the news again cementing the island as a driving force in the sport.