The European Tour is delighted to announce Buzzgolf.com, as the new title sponsor of the North West of Ireland Open to be played at Slieve Russell Hotel G&CC.
The Buzzgolf.com North West of Ireland Open, in association with Bord Failte, takes place on August 17-20 and incorporates both the European Tour and Challenge Tour. The “double badge” event with an equal number of golfers from each of the two Tours eligible has a prize fund of 350,000 euro and counts towards the Volvo Order of Merit as well as the Challenge Tour Rankings. In addition the winner will gain a one-year exemption on the European Tour.
This announcement further emphasises Ireland’’s position as a leading destination on all three Tours. The country already hosts the Murphy’’s Irish Open, and this week’’s Smurfit European Open on the European Tour. The European Seniors Tour schedule for 2000 includes the AIB Irish Seniors Open, which was won by Bruce Fleisher in May at Tulfarris GC, and the Senior British Open, presented by MasterCard, which this year moves to Royal County Down for the first time after five successful years at Royal Portrush. The Buzzgolf.com North West of Ireland Open is therefore the fifth annual European tournament to be staged in Ireland.
Dara O’’Neill, Chief Executive of Buzzgolf.com, said: “We are delighted to become a partner of the European Tour through the sponsorship of the North West of Ireland Open and we are confident that this partnership will develop further as Buzzgolf.com expands its services throughout Europe.”
Mr O’’Neill went on to say that a further attraction for Buzzgolf.com in sponsoring the North West of Ireland Open is the ability to offer members of its Tour (formerly the Golfmarket.com Players Tour) the opportunity to play in a European Tour event. He said: “We are also happy to announce the top four finishers in The Star Open at Portmarnock Country Club & Golf Links on August 9-11 will receive invitations to compete in the Buzzgolf.com North West of Ireland Open.”
Buzzgolf.com, which was launched on June 15, 2000, is the first European ebusiness marketplace to serve buyers and suppliers to the rapidly expanding golf industry. Dara O’’Neill, said “Buzzgolf.com’’s premier objective is to provide significant efficiencies, cost savings and revenue opportunities to buyers and suppliers within the golf industry in Europe. Buzzgolf.com will provide an online trading facility for Europe’’s 4000 Golf Professionals and Retailers and 6000 golf courses.”
The Slieve Russell course was opened in 1992 and was the venue for the Smurfit Irish PGA Championship in 1996. Forming part of the 300 acre estate, including 50 acres of lakes, the unique style of the Slieve Russell course is sensitively wrapped around the lakes and drumlins of the County Cavan landscapes.
Peter Creamer, Director of Golf, said “This year Slieve Russell is delighted to have the opportunity to host the Buzzgolf.com North West of Ireland Open and looks forward to working closely with Buzzgolf.com, Bord Failte and the European Tour in making this tournament a huge success for the sponsors, the Tour, the club and all those who will compete, participate and spectate at the event.”
The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr. James McDaid TD, said “Ireland is now recognised internationally as a Golf Mecca. Our major tournaments are featured world-wide on television. Our status on the calendar of world golf is enhanced by prestige events sponsored by the Government through Bord Failte - the Irish Tourist Board - like the Murphy’’s Irish Open, the Smurfit European Open, AIB Irish Seniors Open, the Donegal Irish Ladies Open, and the forthcoming Buzzgolf.com North West of Ireland Open.
“Events like these, together with the fact that Ireland is to host the Ryder Cup in 2005, are contributing very significantly to the development and growth of golf tourism in this country. The number of golfing visitors to Ireland has soared from 52,000 in 1988 to 204,000 in 1998 and golf tourism now contributes over IR£100 million to the Irish economy.”
Ken Schofield, Executive Director of the European Tour, said: “We are delighted to welcome Buzzgolf.com into our family of sponsors and thank them for their support of this exciting tournament. Through Bord Failte, we are working extremely hard to ensure a strong spread of the benefits of tourism throughout all the regions of Ireland.
“Last year, this event made history as the first ‘double badge’’ tournament incorporating both the European Tour and Challenge Tour and we can again look forward to another successful and enthralling week.”
Last year Costantino Rocca captured his fifth European Tour title when he won the inaugural event at Galway Bay Golf and Country Club. The Italian shot four sub-par rounds to earn the title with a 12-under-par total of 276, two strokes clear of Ireland’’s Padraig Harrington.
The field of 156 will be made up of 70 players from both the European Tour and European Challenge Tour, the leading four Irish professionals from the top 25 of the 1999 Irish National Order of Merit, not otherwise exempt, four from Buzzgolf.com and eight invitations.
