The Irish Golf Club Gazette

12/18/2012

Monty Backs Ryder Cup Plan

Getty Images

Colin Montgomerie believes the European Tour could name their captains for the next two Ryder Cup contests at the same time.

Ian Woosnam and Sir Nick Faldo were unveiled as skippers for the 2006 and 2008 editions at the same meeting, and Montgomerie sees no reason for it not to happen again.

The decision was due to be announced in Abu Dhabi next month, but European Tour chief executive George O'Grady has said the tournament committee vote would "not necessarily" happen at their next meeting.

Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley are the general favourites to succeed Jose Maria Olazabal, and victorious 2010 captain Montgomerie thinks both could be given the chance.

"It will be a very interesting debate and I will listen to it," said Montgomerie.

"There is an opportunity to do two at one time again. Both Clarke and McGinley are respected in the game and great candidates.

"The fact that Tom Watson has been made America's captain should not colour our judgement. We should have only one criteria - picking the best man for the job."

European Tour Award McIlroy

Getty Images

Rory McIlroy has been named the European Tour's Golfer of the Year.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a superb 2012, ending the campaign as world number one after five worldwide victories and also winning the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic.

In August he stormed to an eight-shot win in the USPGA Championship at Kiawah Island and he finished the season by capturing the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

McIlroy had already wrapped up the Race To Dubai as Europe's leading money earner but ended the campaign in style by winning the finale with birdies at each of the last five holes.

He also played his part in Europe's epic Ryder Cup triumph at Medinah, winning his singles clash against Keegan Bradley as Jose Maria Olazabal's men came from 10-6 down on the final day.

"Everyone who knows me knows how special the 2012 season was," McIlroy said. "A couple of wins, including a major, and consistent performances in big events all helped me win The Race to Dubai for the first time.

"To win that was a massive highlight of an amazing season and I hope it will be the first of many. Now, to have been named as The European Tour Golfer of the Year puts the icing on the cake.

"It is a very special honour indeed and you only need to look down the list of players who have preceded me as the winner of this award to see precisely why; quite simply, it is a Who's Who of golf and I'm delighted to now be a part of that in the history books.

"We play golf because we relish the opportunity to win major championships and world-class tournaments around the globe. But when we do that, to be recognised for these achievements is a great thrill and I thank all the members of the panel who voted for me."

Luke Donald won the award in 2011 while the year before it was shared by Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer, two other of McIlroy's Medinah teammates.

Other previous winners include Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood and Ernie Els.

Earlier this month McIlroy was also voted US PGA Tour Player of the Year, becoming the youngest player to win that award since Tiger Woods in 1998.

12/14/2012

Golf Australia Address Rory Story

Getty Images

Golf Australia have dismissed reports that Rory McIlroy did not play last week's Australian Open because he wanted a bigger appearance fee.

The world number one has enjoyed a stunning 2012, including winning the USPGA Championship by an impressive eight shots. He was also part of the European team that successfully retained theRyder Cup

in Medinah.

"I can confirm there was no agreement in place with Rory McIlroy

or his management at any point for Rory to play in this year's Open," Golf Australia chief executive officer Stephen Pitt said in a statement.

"In addition to not having any agreement in place, at no stage were Golf Australia or tournament organisers advised by Rory's management that his appearance costs had increased. This simply isn't true."

World Sport Group chief operating officer Andrew Georgiou added: "We have a very good relationship with Rory and his management team and Rory has played in a number of our events.

"At no stage had Rory or his management committed to play in Australia this year, so any commentary about appearance fees is totally irrelevant and clearly inaccurate."

McIlroy's manager Conor Ridge is glad the record has now been straight, and admitted the 23-year-old was "looking forward to returning down there to play again in the near future".

"We would like to thank Golf Australia and World Sports Group for clarifying that last week's reports were totally inaccurate and without foundation," he said.

"Both Rory and Horizon Sports Management value our reputation for professionalism and integrity. Hence, when such inaccuracies are reported in the media, we have an obligation to set the record straight.

"It has been five years since Rory last played in Australia, but he is very much looking forward to returning down there to play again in the near future."

12/11/2012

Padraig Welcomes Montgomerie Return

European Tour

Padraig Harrington, has welcomed the return of the Irish Open to Carton House next summer.

The three-time Major Champion, enjoying a well-deserved winter break with his family before embarking on his 2013 campaign, took time out ahead of the annual Excellence in Sport Awards ceremony in Dublin to wish the tournament promoters, sponsors and venue good luck for next year’s event to be held from June 27-30.

Harrington, who captured the title in 2007 ahead of his breakthrough Major victory that year in The Open Championship at Carnoustie, is relishing the resumption of world class professional golf in his own backyard after an absence of six years.

Advance tickets for the 2013 tournament, to be played over the par-72 Montgomerie Course at Carton House near Maynooth, Co. Kildare, are now on sale and Harrington is confident that the Irish Open’s return to the greater Dublin area will coincide with a huge demand to see the world’s best players in action.

He said: “I am thrilled that the Irish Open is coming back to Dublin next year. As far as I am concerned it is my "Fifth Major" and whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing at Royal Portrush earlier this year, as a Dubliner, it's great to play in my home town and at the same time build on the success of this year's tournament in the North."

Harrington finished tied fifth behind Welshman Stephen Dodd over the Montgomerie Course in 2005 and 11th a year later as Denmark’s Thomas Björn took the title, before triumphing himself at Adare Manor in 2007.

The 2013 tournament will be played on the Montgomerie course. The Mark O'Meara course had been the subject of some recent course improvements, with the addition of a new first and 18th holes, but the Golf Club owners and The European Tour opted for the ‘Monty’ which successfully hosted the European Amateur Championships in August.

Managing Partner Conor Mallaghan commented: "We are in the very fortunate position of having two championship golf courses at Carton House but with the recent construction development of the two new holes on the O'Meara and knowing how unpredictable Irish weather can be we have decided that the Montgomerie course is the sensible option for 2013."

Following the record-breaking Irish Open at Royal Portrush in June, The European Tour is looking forward eagerly to the 2013 edition and the opportunity to recreate the popularity of the event in front of equally huge crowds at Carton House.

Already, in addition to long-time partner and major supporter, Fáilte Ireland, many of the tournament sponsors from 2012 have committed to the 2013 event and Irish Open Commercial Director James Finnigan said: “Fáilte Ireland have played an enormous role in the success of the Irish Open in the past and we are indebted to them for their long-term commitment. We are delighted to confirm that we will again be partnering top quality brands such as, Ballygowan, BMW, Emirates, Heineken, Moy Park, Rolex and Waterford Crystal next year. It all points to a great return to Dublin for the Irish Open.”

It will not only be golf that will be celebrated during the weekend of the Irish Open, thanks to an exciting new initiative between The Curragh racecourse and The European Tour.

As part of the Irish Open ticket campaign, fans of golf and horse racing can enjoy both sports on the same day – Saturday, June 29 – by purchasing a specially priced ‘Irish Double’ ticket to enjoy the third round of the Irish Open and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day for a combined price of €50.

With the Irish Derby being held on the Saturday evening, the cross ticket promotion offers sports enthusiasts a superb day of live sport . Antonia Beggs, the Irish Open Championship Director, said: “We engaged in a successful collaboration with The Curragh during The Ryder Cup in 2006 when a special raceday was held for the wives of the European and United States Teams. Consequently, we got together with The Curragh to try to create an unforgettable sporting weekend combining world class golf and world class horse racing.”

Meanwhile, golf fans can now purchase tickets to what promises to be another thrilling Irish Open at discounted prices before the New Year.

A season ticket for all four days can be bought for €60 before 31st December, a saving of €10 on next year’s pre-tournament prices and €20 on admission at the gate.

Adult day tickets are priced at €25 before 31st December, rising to €30 pre-event and €35 on the gate.

Concessions (60 and over) start at €40 for a season ticket and €15 for any one day tickets if purchased this year. Under-16s accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge and all car parking is also free.

Reserved grandstand seating can also be purchased immediately for Thursday, Friday and Saturday (€10) and the Sunday (€15) of the event. No concessions of other discounts apply.

Corporate Hospitality packages are also available with prices ranging from €245 to €295 (plus VAT). For all enquiries please contact Joanne in CSL Hospitality on 01 676 6650 or joanne @cslhospitality.ie

Golf Writers Award McIlroy

Getty Images

World number one Rory McIlroy has been awarded the 2012 Golf Writers' Trophy ahead of Europe's Ryder Cup team.

The 23-year-old Northern Irishman had a spectacular season, winning the USPGA Championship by an eight-shot margin as well as four other tournaments.

McIlroy also emulated England's Luke Donald by topping the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Ryder Cup side, of which McIlroy was part, came second in the voting, followed by Ian Poulter.

Then came 53-year-old Roger Chapman and the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team.

"The 2012 season was a superb one for every aspect of European golf and that comes across when you look at the names of the players in contention for the Golf Writers' Trophy," said McIlroy, recently named as the PGA Tour's Player of the Year.

"To come out on top of that list is a great honour."

Poulter was one of the key architects of Europe's magnificent comeback in Chicago, making five birdies in a row to win a vital fourball match alongside McIlroy and finishing the Ryder Cup with four points out of four.

Chapman enjoyed a fairytale season when he won the Senior PGA Championship and the US Senior Open, a double only previously achieved by Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Hale Irwin.

The Curtis Cup victory at Nairn completed an unprecedented clean sweep of all four of the main trans-Atlantic trophies - Ryder, Solheim, Walker and Curtis Cups.