The Great Irish Links Challenge

Ballybunion, Doonbeg and Lahinch were all recently voted to be in the World's Top 100 Golf Courses as chosen by Golf World earlier this year. The three courses have now joined forces in a promotion designed to offer golfers the opportunity to play three of the world's top 100 courses over the course of three remarkable days. 

The event "The Great Irish Links Challenge" will take place from Sunday 22 May, 2011 to Wednesday, 25 May, 2011 with golfers alternating between the three courses on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The event opens on the Sunday at Doonbeg with a welcome reception and closes at the same venue with an awards dinner on the Wednesday. 

The event is being sponsored by Taylormade in conjunction with Shannon Development. Promotion of the event which is looking to attract some 600 golfers will begin shortly. Full details can be found on the special website www.greatirishlinkschallenge.com or by phoning +353 65 9055602 . 

Speaking about the event Doonbeg general manager, Joe Russell, said that the idea had been triggered off by the Golf World survey. "We were all delighted to see nine Irish links courses feature. Obviously with the three of us being so close together there is an excellent opportunity to create a promotion such as this." 

Vari McGreevey, General Manager of Ballybunion, said that she believed the promotion could be a major success. "While overseas golfers may not be here in the abundance in which they once were there is still a real desire to play Irish links courses. This initiative affords them the opportunity to play three of the best in a memorable way." 

Club Captain Eugene Gilligan, said that he believed that "The Great Irish Links Challenge" had the potential to become an annual event. "There is no doubt the Golf World survey has already been beneficial to all three courses. Our initiative will provide a real focus on the opportunity available. I think it will appeal to golfers in many countries. Where else could you get the opportunity to play three of the world's greatest courses without putting in a great deal more travelling".