Dubai Duty Free Irish Open qualifier has missing links
THE advent of a €40,000 qualifier for the $7 million Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is a huge boost to Ireland’s PGA professionals and the six elite amateurs who will get the chance to battle for four spots alongside the superstars at Ballyliffin in July.
But it remains to be seen how many of the fledgeling professionals backed by Team Ireland Golf make the 144-strong field for the 36-hole qualifying event at Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort in Co Donegal from June 30 to July 1.
The Pat Ruddy designed Sandy Hills Links at the stunning Downings resort will provide a gorgeous backdrop for what should be an exciting curtain-raiser for the big show at Ballyliffin’s Glashedy Links from July 5-8.
It represents a great opportunity for the PGA professionals who no longer get six automatic places in the Irish Open field via the PGA in Ireland’s Order of Merit from the preceding season.
But unless they receive one of 12 invitations decided by the European Tour, few Team Ireland Golf golfers will get to compete at Rosapenna as the entry criteria require that “all competitors must be a PGA Member or Assistant.”
Giving priority to the PGA professionals is only right as it’s their event.
But at a time when young Irish professionals are struggling to make it onto the likes of the European Tour, it appears contradictory that the golfers receiving Team Ireland Golf support from a scheme that’s indirectly supported by the PGA should not be automatically exempt.
Described as heralding “a new era for Irish golf” by PGA in Ireland secretary Michael McCumiskey, it’s certainly a boost for family-run Rosapenna.
The resort, which will host the Ulster Seniors Amateur Open in June and the AIG Irish Amateur Close in 2020, is hoping its first major professional event will be the first of many big tournaments staged there.
“It is our first real professional event and we are looking forward to it,” said Rosapenna’s Frank Casey Jnr. “It’s very much an Irish Region event but the European Tour nominating 12 players and the GUI sending six elite amateurs, it makes for a great field.”