The Irish Golf Club Gazette: Mount Wolseley

Showing posts with label Mount Wolseley. Show all posts

8/24/2016

Mount Wolseley Volopa Challenge Returns

The European Challenge Tour’s return for the second year in succession, for the Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, was officially launched

The tournament, which takes place from September 8–11, will mark the return of this prestigious event to the stunning Christy O’Connor Jnr-designed Championship course at Mount Wolseley - located one hour from Dublin – which will again host this major professional event under the auspices of the European Tour.

The late Christy O’Connor Jnr, whose two-iron shot at the 18th hole of The Belfry on the way to Europe retaining The 1989 Ryder Cup is regarded as one of the greatest shots in the tournament’s long history, will be fondly remembered.

As a honoured Ambassador to the event last year, Christy said: “Mount Wolseley is truly one of my proudest creations as a course designer so I am thrilled that it will play host to some of Ireland, Europe and the world’s most promising young stars for such a prestigious event.”

The idyllic and lush parkland course is sure to test every facet of the players’ games while also providing plentiful enjoyment for hugely talented golfers who travel the globe and play on some of the best courses in the world.

The Challenge Tour provides the perfect opportunity for players turning professional to make their mark in the paid ranks, and many of the world’s finest players have chosen to begin their professional careers on Europe’s top developmental tour, including Martin Kaymer, Brooks Koepka, Olympic Champion Justin Rose and Open Championship winner Henrik Stenson.

The very best of Ireland’s most promising young players will be teeing it up at Mount Wolseley as they take on the finest young players from across the globe. With few opportunities left until the end of the season, the tournament represents one of the last chances for the players to ensure they finish the season in the top 15 of the Road to Oman Rankings and thereby earn graduation to the European Tour and the chance to fulfill lifelong ambitions.

Working in partnership with the Confederation of Golf in Ireland and Sport Ireland, Tetrarch Capital, the owners of Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, committed to host the Volopa Irish Challenge at Mount Wolseley over three consecutive years from 2015 - 2017, establishing this stunning Resort as a firm favourite for this prestigious event.

Alain de Soultrait, European Challenge Tour Director, said: “It is fantastic news that the Challenge Tour will return to Mount Wolseley for the second year in succession. Ireland has produced numerous world-class golfers and possesses many of the finest golf courses on the planet.

"Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is a fittingly stunning venue and I know how much all the players enjoyed the experience last year and are looking forward to returning.

“A lot of hard work has gone into making this tournament happen and we extend our sincere thanks to Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort and Tetrarch Capital for backing this event, as well as the CGI and Sport Ireland for their passion and vision in giving Ireland’s up and coming golf stars a chance to make that crucial breakthrough in professional golf. We look forward to another great week in Carlow.”

6/09/2015

European Challege Tour Returns

The European Challenge Tour will return to the Republic of Ireland for the first time in six years when the Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa and Golf Resort takes place at the prestigious Carlow venue from October 8–11.

It will be the first time the Christy O’Connor Jnr-designed Championship course at Mount Wolseley, located one hour from Dublin, will host a major professional event under the auspices of The European Tour. Tetrarch Capital, the new owners of Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, have committed to hosting the event at Mount Wolseley in 2016 and 2017 after signing a three-year deal. The Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI) and the Irish Sports Council have also come on board as partners for the event.

A host of Ireland’s most promising up and coming stars are expected to join a field which will also comprise many of Europe and the world’s most talented young players. The Challenge Tour has been a proven training ground from which stars like Martin Kaymer, Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjørn, Brooks Koepka and many others have graduated to The European Tour before going on to international stardom.

The Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort is ideally placed in the Challenge Tour’s schedule for a week of golfing drama - the fourth last event of the season - as the race for the top 15 in the Challenge Tour’s Road to Oman Rankings nears its thrilling climax.

The last time a Challenge Tour event took place in the Republic, Englishman Robert Coles emerged victorious after a play-off with former Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium to win the Challenge of Ireland in 2009.

The announcement comes at an opportune time for Irish golf, as young Derryman Ruaidhri McGee continues to impress on the Challenge Tour – currently inside the top ten in the Road to Oman – while a host of promising young players including Paul Dunne, Jack Hume, Gary Hurley, Gavin Moynihan and Cormac Sharvin are rising through the amateur ranks with great distinction.

The Challenge Tour provides the perfect opportunity for players turning professional to make their mark in the paid ranks, and direct graduation to The European Tour is the rich reward for those who succeed.

That is the reason why many of world’s finest players have chosen to begin their professional careers on Europe’s top developmental tour - with recent BMW PGA Championship winner Byeong-hun An of Korea, as well as the last two respective European Tour Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award winners Koepka and Peter Uihlein, crossing the Atlantic to begin their careers on the Challenge Tour.

Alain de Soultrait, European Challenge Tour Director, said:

“It is fantastic news that the Challenge Tour will return to the Republic of Ireland for the first time since 2009. The country has produced numerous world-class golfers and possesses many of the finest golf courses on the planet. Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is a fittingly stunning venue and is sure to be very popular with the players, staff and Ireland’s famously knowledgeable golf fans.

“A lot of hard work has gone into making this tournament happen and we extend our sincere thanks to Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort and Tetrach Capital for backing this event, as well as the CGI and the Irish Sport Council for their passion and vision in giving Ireland’s up and coming golf stars a chance to make that crucial breakthrough in professional golf. We look forward to a great week in Carlow.”

Mount Wolseley in County Carlow, Ireland, has become firmly established as an attractive option for golf groups and organisers of business and pleasure events. The resort is located just one hour from Dublin and within easy reach also for golfers travelling from points as far apart as the midlands, West, South and Eastern region. The challenging 18-hole Christy O’Connor Junior designed championship course has matured beautifully with age and offers stunning views of the Carlow mountains and countryside.

The Confederation of Golf in Ireland was created last year by the GUI, ILGU and the PGA, to support, promote and develop the sport of golf on the island of Ireland

The formation of the CGI followed 18 months of study and preparation by the associations together with the Irish Sports Council and Sport Northern Ireland. The CGI will complement the work of the associations as well as providing a necessary combined approach to certain key strategic areas in the future development of golf in Ireland.

8/02/2014

Archibald Walks in My Shoes at Mount Wolseley

PGA EuroPro Tour

Stuart Archibald won his first HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour title since 2011 with victory at the Walk In My Shoes Open at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club in Co. Carlow, Ireland.

The Englishman carded a final round 69 to finish 14 under par, two clear of second placed Michael McGeady (North West Golf Club), who shot 66 for his final round on the par 72 course.

The victory is Archibald’s third win on the Tour and propels him to eighth on the Order of Merit, from which the top five at the end of the season earn a Challenge Tour card for 2014.

Archibald collected a winner’s cheque for £10,000, a brand new Motocaddy and Shotsaver range finder. However, following a bet with former European and PGA Tour player turned TV pundit John E. Morgan, the 30 year old must now also dye his beard blue.

“I wasn’t really sure about this week,” admitted Archibald. “I wasn’t sure how the course would play. It is quite firm and the greens are soft but we weren’t really sure if it was going to be a low scoring week, so when Watts went a bit crazy the first two days I was teeing off for my second round and thought it would be a struggle to catch him.

“My group for the second round managed to shoot a combined score of 20 under par, so we all carried each other through and that put me in a good position for the final round. I had a target in mind of 14 under and I thought that might get me there, and it proved the case.

“At dinner on Tuesday evening John Morgan was reminiscing and we shared stories. He told us all about how he had blue hair when he played PGA Tour, and he has been on about my beard all year long. He has told me not to shave it, to keep growing it.

“He said he would love to dye it, and I wasn’t so keen. But I told him if I won this week I would let him dye it any colour he wanted, and he went for blue. I have shot myself in the foot there so next week at Moor Allerton I will let John dye the beard blue.

“We have played in Ireland every year since I started playing the tour and we always get great support, so I want to thank everybody for that.”

Overnight leader Watts finished third on ten under after a final-round 71 and Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth Golf Club) and Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge Golf Club) shared fourth on eight under.

Mark Murphy forced himself into contention with eight birdies on the front nine. However, a double at the tenth and a bogey at 11 saw him slip back and he signed for a final-round 66 (-6) with a birdie at 14 to finish the tournament seven under and tied sixth with four other golfers, including Nick McCarthy who shot 29 for his back nine to card a 65.

Highlights of the Walk In My Shoes Open, including more on John E. Morgan’s blue beard bet with Archibald, air on Sky Sports on Tuesday, August 12 with repeats the following day.

The HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour heads to Leeds next week for the Clipper Logistics Championship at Moor Allerton Golf Club.

8/01/2014

Watts Closes in at Mount Wolseley

PGAEuroPro Tour

James Watts is closing in on his second HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour win in three weeks as he takes a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Walk In My Shoes Open after a second consecutive six-under-par 66.

The Englishman won the Simpson & Marwick Championship at Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh two weeks ago and sits on 12 under par ahead of the final round at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club in Co. Carlow, Ireland.

Stuart Archibald (The Legend Alliance) is one behind after carding a second-round 65 on the par-72 course to move to 11 under, while Richard Kilpatrick’s (Banbridge Golf Club) second-round 66 will see him start the final round third on eight under, four behind the leader.

Watts (Kingsway Golf Centre) carded six birdies in his opening eight holes on Wednesday, and began Thursday’s second round on the tenth tee at six under. Birdies at 12, 14 and 16 took him to nine under and despite two bogeys on the regular front nine he was still able to sign for 66 thanks to three birdies and an eagle on the par-four fourth.

The top five on the Order of Merit at the end of the season earn Challenge Tour cards, and Watts currently lies fifth with £15,109.37 to his name. The Walk In My Shoes Open carries a £40,000 prize fund with £10,000 going to the winner, and victory would see the Hertfordshire golfer move to second on the all-important rankings.

“I hit 3-wood up the left on the fourth,” explained Watts of his eagle. “I got it to within 74 yards and holed it from there, which was lucky.

“I was a bit disappointed because both bogeys I had came from three putts so that was annoying, but I am pleased with another 66.

“Having the win under my belt I know how to deal with the TV cameras and the pressure, but it is a case of doing what I have been doing all week and seeing what happens.

“There is almost more pressure on the final round this week. If I get a second win then it is almost job done in terms of finishing top five on the Order of Merit. With the first win there was no guarantees but a second win would move you a lot closer to job done.”

The final round of the Walk In My Shoes Open will be filmed for a two-hour highlights programme to be broadcast on Sky Sports on Tuesday, August 12, with repeats the following day. Spectator entry is free of charge and live scoring can be found at www.europrotour.com.

7/29/2014

PGAEuropro Tour Walks to Mount Wolseley

The HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour’s second stop in Ireland this summer sees the Walk In My Shoes Open at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in County Carlow, July 30-August 1, supporting the St. Patrick’s Mental Health Foundation and promoting positive mental health.

Some of Europe’s best young professionals will compete in the 54-hole event, which carries a €50,000 prize fund with a €12,500 cheque going to the winner.

The Christy O’Connor designed course at Mount Wolseley boasts rich surrounds, mature trees and playing surfaces unrivalled for their consistency and quality. The 54-hole event follows straight on from the tournament at Concra Wood in Castleblayney and will be filmed for a two hour highlights programme to be broadcast on Sky Sports. Spectator entry will be free throughout the week.

Director of BM Sports, Stephen Fee said “We are really proud to be bringing EuroPro Tour to Carlow this July which will see over 150 young golfers from all over Europe compete on Mount Wolseley’s Championship course. Having partnered with ‘Walk in My Shoes’ we feel the tour will help raise awareness of the pressures young sportspeople can be under, while also promoting the importance of positive mental health.”

Niall Kearney, Tournament Ambassador said “I am really looking forward to competing in ‘The Walk in My Shoes’ EuroPro tournament at Mount Wolseley at the end of this month. It promises to be an exciting week with lots of talented young golfers. It’s brilliant to be playing so close to home and supporting such great cause as Walk Tn My Shoes.”

Kate Moran, project manager for ‘Walk in My Shoes’, said “We are delighted to be a part of this fantastic event. What a great way to reach out to the sporting community. This is a very exciting step forward for ‘Walk in My Shoes’.

Daniel Godding, PGA EuroPro Tour Director of Operations said: “Mount Wolseley is a stunning course and we are delighted that the tour will be supporting the incredible work Walk In My Shoes does.

“Historically the PGA EuroPro Tour has always enjoyed great public support in Ireland and I am thrilled to give Irish golf fans another opportunity to see some of Europe’s best young pros compete on a top-class course in front of the Sky Sports cameras.”

Lisa Morrissey, Director at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort said: "We are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious event here at Mount Wolseley and to have such calibre of golfers descending on County Carlow in July. Our championship golf course will challenge the professionals on every aspect of their game, so it will be a great tournament to watch."

4/18/2014

Mount Wolseley Seeks Protection

Mount Wolseley Hotel and Golf Resort, which owes various banks €60m, has asked the High Court for protection from its creditors long enough to put a rescue plan in place and save up to 175 jobs.

The High Court was told that the Tullow, Co Carlow, resort is currently worth only €5m to €6.5m.

The Morrisey family, which owns the resort, asked Mr Justice David Keane to appoint insolvency practitioner Ian Lawlor as Examiner to run and hopefully save the business as a going concern.

The resort is a popular wedding venue and comprises a 143-room hotel together with holiday homes, a leisure centre, spa and an 18 hole golf course designed by former Ryder Cup hero Christy O'Connor Jnr.

Bank of Ireland, which is owed about €28m by the resort's owners, has opposed the application, claiming the Examinership process has no reasonable prospect of securing the investment required to succeed. BOI wants to appoint a receiver to sell the business.

Barrister Rossa Fanning, counsel for the bank, told the court that the application was an attempt by the Morrissey family " to sabotage" the bank's bid to appoint a receiver.

The judge is to rule on the application later this month.

Judge Keane heard that the resort owes various banks more than €60m, most of which had been borrowed during the Celtic Tiger era. Property valuation experts estimated the resort as currently worth at most €6.5m.

Bernard Dunleavy, counsel for prospective examiner, said Mr Lawlor had received eight expressions of interest from potential investors, none of whom had any connection with the current owners.

Mr Lawlor, of JPA Brenson Lawlor, was appointed interim examiner in early April to the resort company and two related companies Lismare Enterprises and LIsmare Properties.

The court heard the companies are ultimately owned by members of the Morrissey family.

Gary McCarthy, counsel for the Morrissey family, said an independent accountant's report stated the resort had a reasonable prospect of surviving as a going concern if certain steps were taken.

These steps included the securing of additional investment and that an examiner be appointed in order to put together a scheme of arrangement with the resort's creditors.

He said the owners had planned to cover borrowings by selling houses built on the resort but this plan had been hit by the collapse of the property market. Mr McCarthy said that the Morrissey family had reached accommodation with the other banks in relation to servicing the company's debts but issues remained with BOI.

Early last month BOI had demanded repayment of €28.3m and when the demand had not been met the bank had appointed a receiver to the resort.

The owners had then applied for an examiner to be appointed. Counsel said the resort's creditors would do much better in an examinership compared to a receivership. The receiver would sell off the company's assets.

Mr McCarthy said BOI did not have a charge over Mount Wolseley House, "the jewel in the resorts crown." It was located at the centre of the resort and is owned by the Morrisseys.

The hotel would not be able to use it in the event a receiver was appointed.

In opposing the application Rossa Fanning, for BOI, said the resort would not be able to secure the level of investment required to repay the bank debt.

He said BOI decided to appoint a eeceiver after negotiations with the owners over a two year period had failed to bear any fruit.

Mr Fanning said the application for examinership was an attempt by the Morrissey's to give them "a commercial advantage" in its dealings with the BOI. This amounted to "a technical abuse of process," He said.

He said the court should not confirm Mr Lawlor as examiner and the bank should be allowed appoint a receiver who would continue to operate the resort as normal until a buyer could be found.

If appointed later this month the examiner will have up to 100 days to put together a scheme of arrangement with the resort's creditors that will allow the company to continue to trade as a going concern.

Judge Keane said he would give his judgement at a sitting of the High Court in Cork on 29 April next. Until then the interim examiner was to remain in place and the resort remain under the control of its existing management.

2/26/2014

Mount Wolseley Hosts EuroPro

The PGA EuroPro Tour has added Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in County Carlow to its schedule, the second Irish venue to be included in the Tour’s impressive 2014 line-up.

The Christy O’Connor designed course boasts rich surrounds, mature trees and playing surfaces unrivalled for their consistency and quality and will host Europe’s leading satellite tour from July 30 until August 1.

The 54-hole event follows straight on from the tournament at Concra Wood in Castleblayney and will be filmed for a two hour highlights programme to be broadcast on Sky Sports. The tournament will see some of Europe’s best young professionals competing for the £10,000 winner’s cheque and their share of a total prize fund of £40,000.

Daniel Godding, PGA EuroPro Tour Director of Operations said: “Mount Wolseley is a stunning course and is in a great location with its mountainous backdrop.

Lisa Morrissey, Director at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort said: “We are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious event here at Mount Wolseley and to have such calibre of golfers descending on County Carlow in July. Our championship golf course will challenge the professionals on every aspect of their game, so it will be a great tournament to watch.”

Broadcast on Sky Sports HD and TV networks around the world, the PGA EuroPro Tour is the UK and Ireland’s leading golf tour and is where many top golfers begin their professional careers.

The Tour comprises 17 tournaments at some of the UK and Ireland’s very best courses, including the Belfry (Brabazon course), The Oxfordshire and Prince’s.

Players play for a total prize fund of over £700,000 each year and at the end of the season the top five on the Order of Merit graduate to the Challenge Tour.

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