Belvoir Park boosts Pro-Am prize fund

Historic Belvoir Park Golf Club will play host to one of Ireland's richest one-day pro-ams on June 19.

The Belfast club has increased the prize fund for the event to €15,000.

Belvoir Park Club Captain, Gerry Branagh, hailed the decision to boost the prize fund as further evidence of the club's desire to attract a high-quality field to the event.

He said: “We have hosted many Championship events over the years, both professional and amateur with the course being recognised as an excellent test for all golfers. We are determined to build on our reputation for high quality presentation and attention to detail.

"The PGA Pro-Am is the perfect vehicle to raise our profile within the golfing marketplace and it is our ambition to ensure that this event continues to be an exciting challenge for all the participants.”

Belvoir Park has a proud history of hosting professional tournaments. The Irish Open was played there twice in 1949 and 1953. The tree-lined venue, designed by the legendary Harry S Colt also hosted the Irish PGA Championship in 1995 won by Philip Walton.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Belvoir Park will host a PGA in Ireland Pro-Am. Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort) coped admirably with blustery conditions to win last year. The Newcastle based professional fired a three-under-par 68 to edge out Headfort's Joe Dillon. Kilkeel GC professional, Jerry Scullion, guided his amateur partners of Neill Roulston, Ian Emerson and Sam Gillespie to success in the team event with 84 points.

PGA in Ireland regional manager, Michael McCumiskey, said: “Over the years we have had a long-standing and successful relationship with Belvoir Park Golf Club. It remains one of Ireland's most iconic parkland layouts and is a popular venue with PGA in Ireland professionals.”

Belvoir Park has undergone an intensive period of change in recent years with the club investing in modern machinery and undertaking a course improvement programme under the direction of course architect, Ken Kearney.

General manager, Jim Cullen added: “It is our intention to reinstate the Harry Colt style and ethos. This has included the creation of new bunkers and some tee box reconstruction. Our programme of development and investment is beginning to pay dividends and we trust the pro-am competitors will find the course a challenge.”

A morning and afternoon shotgun start will be employed for the Belvoir Park Pro-Am. PGA Professionals should enter via the PGA website while amateurs can enter directly by contacting Belvoir Park Golf Club.

For more information please contact Michael McCumiskey on 00 353 (0)42 932 1193