EUROPRO Returns to Galgorm Castle

Galgorm Castle Golf Club will host the Galgorm Castle Northern Ireland PGA EuroPro Open for the second successive year.

Building on the highly successful staging of the inaugural event in 2010 - when England’s James Hepworth won from a dramatic play-off with Australia’s Daniel Gaunt - the 2011 championship promises to be even bigger and better.

The championship course at Galgorm Castle is rated as one of the finest parklands in the country and will once more test the leading professionals on the PGA EuroPro to their limits.

Players from Ireland and the UK, plus across Europe and beyond will tee it up in the 54-hole strokeplay event where a prize pot of £40,000 is on offer with £10,000 going to the winner.

“I am delighted the PGA EuroPro Tour is returning to Galgorm this year,” explained Christopher Brooke, Galgorm Castle. “It is a reward to everyone involved in 2010 who made it such a success.

“We are now focusing on making 2011 an even better event as it’s a great opportunity for the people of Northern Ireland to see a top professional golf tournament on their doorstep and to promote the ‘Golfing at Galgorm’ experience to an international audience.”

Galgorm Castle has been working closely with their partners at the prestigious Galgorm Resort & Spa, and with significant investment from both parties, has created the “ultimate golfing destination in Ireland” certain to cater for every golfers’ need.

This event offers free entry to the general public and spectator numbers are expected to exceed last year for the only high profile professional golf tournament to be held in the province this year.

Based on figures from last year, the local economy is expected to benefit in the region of £250,000 with over 1,000 bed nights required as the 156-player player field, plus caddies, officials and spectators arrive to the Ballymena area.

The tournament will be broadcast on Sky Sports, who in turn ensure coverage reaches over 50 countries through established sports channels such as ESPN, Star TV Asia and The Golf Channel in the United States.

This year’s event takes place from Wednesday, June 29 to Friday, July 1.

The official practice day is Monday, June 27 before the George Best Invitational Pro-Am serves as the event curtain-raiser on Tuesday, June 28.

After this the Gala Dinner and Charity Auction will take place at the Galgorm Resort & Spa. 

To book your team in the Pro-Am please visi twww.galgormcastle.com.

Peter Martin Wins Race to Dunluce

Peter Martin stormed over the finishing line in first place as the PING PGA Ulster Golfers' Alliance qualifiers completed the last lap in their Race to Dunluce.

Martin carded a one-under-par on the jumbo track to be one stroke ahead of Peter Stevenson, despite stalling at the start with a bogey five as he three-putted the first green.

Back-to-back birdie threes at the fourth and fifth holes revved up Martin's round as he slotted in a 10-footer at the fourth and drove the edge of the next green. However, another three-stab on the eighth left the Riverside Academy head pro out in level par 36.

At the long 10th, the winner reached the green with a drive and three iron, 15 feet from the flag, and got home in two from there. When he missed the green and found sand at the 15th, Martin failed to get up-and-down to pencil in his third bogey five of the round but he got that shot back at 16 when he made birdie three with a drive and eight iron to eight feet.

Best amateur on the day was Shandon Park three-handicapper Johnny Taylor who posted a nett 37 points. Johnny Hagan, who plays off plus-one out of Kirkistown Castle, took the gross prize on two-over-par 74.

Dungannon players collected the team award as pro Chris Jelly was joined by Damian Jackson (13), Kevin Hamilton (13) and Derek Chambers (14). They carded 89 points.

April Specials - Galgorm Castle

Galgorm Castle

Golf & Grub

Range Balls, Round of Golf & Fry ONLY £25 Monday – Friday 

New for 2011 

Academy Membership – Only £6.73 per week

This membership package offers individuals the opportunity to learn, practice and sample golf over a six month period. It helps build confidence and relationships through the club 

Package includes:

• 1 x 5 Credit Range Card (monthly)

• 1 x Lesson from PGA Professional per month

• 30% discount on Range Cards

• Use of the course at off peak times, under control by the Pro Shop

• 10% discount in the Bar & Restaurant 

Membership

Join the Club you have always dreamed of for less than you would think!

• £14.42 per week (Full membership)

• £11.23 per week (5 Day Membership)

• £4.78 per week (Student)

• £2.79 per week (Junior)

NO JOINING FEE FOR THE FIRST 15 NEW MEMBERS LIMITED PLACES LEFT 

Full & Five Day Members Joining Gift

When you join Galgorm as a full or 5 Day Member we would like to give you one of the following

• £40 voucher to use in the Pro Shop

• 3 lessons with a P.G.A professional

• 2 Hours playing lesson with a P.G.A Professional 

Don’t miss your opportunity to hold your Golf Day or bring your Society to the venue the Professionals plays at From £23 

Driving Range

Everyone welcome to come and use the Driving Range facilities

Only £3 for 40 balls 

Free clubs to use in the Pro Shop 

For More Information :

T: (0)28 2564 6161; E:golf@galgormcastle.com; W www.galgormcastle.com

Nicholas tees off Solheim Ambassadors

European Solheim Cup Captain Alison Nicholas treated over 100 golfers to a special clinic in Killeen Castle, host venue to The Solheim Cup in September this year. The clinic was one of the first in Nicholas’ tour of the country which will see the former British and US Women’s Open winner visit 30 golf clubs as part of The Solheim Cup Club Ambassador Programme, a recruitment drive to encourage members to support Europe in the showdown against the USA.

The event at Killeen Castle saw locals, members and nearby Meath club ambassadors given a ‘once in a lifetime lesson’ by the English golfer who encouraged all club golfers to come out and support the European team in September. The Ambassador Programme is aiming to secure key representatives in golf clubs nationwide with the dual aims of generating massive spectator support from Irish club golfers and creating a dynamic bond between spectators and the European team in advance of the event. The role of each Club Ambassador is to help build awareness of The 2011 Solheim Cup within their ranks and to actively encourage and communicate to fellow members how they can purchase tickets for the tournament in September. 

The Solheim Cup Club Ambassador Director, Shane Daly commented; “Alison is already proving a fantastic European captain and her preparations for the big event at Killeen Castle in September are meticulous. Her knowledge and experience in the game of golf is outstanding and a lot of golfers around the country will benefit from this at the clinics Alison will host throughout the country. Having played in six Solheim Cups she is aware of the advantage a strong home support can bring and the Club Ambassador Programme tour is designed to help generate this.”

The Solheim Cup is the most prestigious international team event in women’s professional golf and one of the biggest international sporting events to be staged in Ireland this year and will take place on the stunning Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in Killeen Castle, County Meath.

To apply for a Club Ambassador role visit www.solheimcup.com