Ryder Cup hero McGinley launches Irish pro-am

Ryder Cup hero, Paul McGinley helped launch The K Club Newstalk Irish PGA pro-am in association with Newbridge Silverware at The K Club.

The tournament is the most valuable pro-am in Ireland with a prize pot of €33,000 up for grabs for the leading Irish golf professionals.

This is the second staging of the event at the famous Kildare resort and will be held over two days from the May 5-6. Teams will play over both of The K Club’s championship courses, The Palmer Ryder Cup Course and The Smurfit Course, home to several European Opens.

The amateur competitors will be battling it out for overall and daily awards with some fantastic prizes courtesy of Newbridge Silverware on offer. 

The tournament has understandably attracted a lot of interest and a superb field has already been assembled including last year’s winner, Niall Kearney, and the top twenty from the order of merit.

Kearney, who went on to claim the Irish PGA Championship title in 2014, fired a second round five under par 67 to beat Damien Mooney (Ballyliffin) by two shots in last year's event.

Over 120 amateur golfers people will play in the tournament alongside some of Ireland’s leading Irish PGA Professionals. The owner of The K Club, Dr. Michael Smurfit, has been one of the most ardent and loyal supporters of the PGA in Ireland and is very pleased to be able to host the tournament once more on both courses at the resort.

Speaking in advance of the Pro Am, Sharon Smurfit, Director of Golf at The K Club said, “We are really looking forward to welcoming all the Irish PGA professionals along with our members and guests to participate in the event and we look forward to hosting this exciting tournament once again this year.

“We are also very pleased to support Irish golf through the PGA in Ireland and are really delighted to have Newstalk and Newbridge Silverware on board as our sponsors.”

Newstalk Station Editor, Garrett Harte said, “Newstalk is delighted to be associated with this prestigious event we wish all the competitors the best of luck for what is shaping up to be a fabulous two days of competitive golf.”

For more details see www.kclub.ie or call (01) 6017200.