Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort to stage 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open qualifier

Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort will host this year's €40,000 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open qualifier (June 29-30).

The 36-hole tournament, administered by the PGA in Ireland, will be staged at the Co.Kildare venue with four starting places in the $7,000,000 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Lahinch Golf Club (July 4-July 7) up for grabs.

PGA in Ireland Regional Manager, Michael McCumiskey said; “As we plan for the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open qualifier it is great news that we have been able to secure Moyvalley for this year’s event.

In 2016 and 2017 the venue hosted the Irish PGA Championship and it proved to be a real test of golf for our professionals.

“This year, with four spots available at Lahinch and prize money of €40,000 to be played for, there will be huge interest from professionals and amateurs alike all dreaming of a place in the Irish Open.”

The course at Moyvalley is described as an inland links as it takes on some of the features of a traditional seaside links course, with tall fescue grass, large putting surfaces featuring heavy contouring, run offs and firm surfaces. It certainly produced two high-class Irish PGA champions in Damien McGrane (2016) and Tim Race (2017).

“We are delighted to be chosen to host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Qualifiers here at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort and we very much look forward to welcoming all the competitors in what promises to be a great weekend of golf,” said David Rock, Director of Golf Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort

All PGA in Ireland members and registered assistants will be eligible to compete in the event. Six places in the field are open to amateur players nominated by the Golfing Union of Ireland. A further 12 spots will be filled by professional golfers selected by the European Tour.

Tulfarris Golf Resort's Simon Thornton birdied the first extra hole to win last year's inaugural Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Qualifier at Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort.

Neil O'Briain (Old Conna), Colm Moriarty (Glasson) and Cian McNamara (Monkstown GC) also claimed places in the field at Ballyliffin.

Competitors will be able to make use of an official practice day on Friday June 28.

In the case of a tie for the leading four players a sudden death play-off will be used.