Rosapenna to host Irish Open qualifier
22/02/2018
Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort in Co Donegal will play host to the €40,000 qualifier for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation on June 30 and July 1.
The 36-hole tournament, administered by the PGA in Ireland, will be played on the Sandy Hills Links. Four starting places in the $7,000,000 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation at Ballyliffin Golf Club (July 5-July 8) will be at stake.
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.
PGA in Ireland secretary Michael McCumiskey said; “This is a new era for Irish golf. Through the auspices of Dubai Duty Free and the European Tour a qualifying round for the Irish Open is being staged for the first time in a long number of years.
“It will present a welcome opportunity for established and aspiring professionals plus a number of Ireland's top amateurs to pit their skills against one another as they try to secure one of the prestigious spots in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Ballyliffin.
“For those who wish to test their skills, the Pat Ruddy designed Sandy Hills Links at Rosapenna Golf Resort will present a demanding, but interesting challenge come July.”
The Sandy Hills Links at Rosapenna opened in June 2003 and has steadily risen up the various Top 100 listings across the UK & Ireland. It is currently ranked 10th in Ireland by Golf World. Originally laid out by Pat Ruddy and later modified by Beau Welling Design (2013), this modern links is a great test of golf in one of the world's most beautiful settings.
The Sandy Hills Links has hosted the 2015 Men's Interprovincial Championship, the 2017 Ulster Mid-Amateur Championship and has also secured the 2020 Irish Close Championship.
The resort's prestigious Scratch Cups have been won by the likes of Rory McIlory, Colm Campbell, Dermott McElroy and Eddie McCormack among other top Irish Internationals.
“We are absolutely delighted to host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Qualifier in its first year in support of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open being played in neighbouring Ballyliffin,” said John Casey, Director Rosapenna Golf Resort.
Competitors will be able to make use of an official practice day on Friday June 29. In the case of a tie for the leading four players a sudden death play-off will be used.
For more information contact PGA in Ireland Secretary – Michael McCumiskey – 00 353 (0)42 932 1193.
