Updated 14.55
THE FOTA ISLAND Resort will host the 2014 Irish Open, marking the tournament’s return to Cork for the first time in 12 years.
Tickets immediately went on sale for the tournament which will be played on the Deerpark Course from 19-22 June.
In a further boost, European Tour organisers confirmed that Fota and construction firm BAM Contractors will be official sponsors while Cork City and County Councils also pledged their support.
The announcement was welcomed by Ireland’s top golfers including world number six Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
“The country’s National Open should be moved around to give everyone an opportunity to see the event, and it also gives us the chance to show the world just how many amazing courses there are in Ireland,” McIlroy said.
Fota Island will be an exciting venue for the Irish Open, and exactly the kind of place to showcase what Ireland has to offer as a golf destination.
Following weeks of speculation, Fota now becomes the fourth different course to host the Irish Open in as many years.
The tournament, which was played at Kildare’s Carton House in 2013, has struggled financially since the decision of mobile phone operators 3 to withdraw in 2010 following two years as title sponsor.
Fota was bought by Chinese hoteliers The Kang Group last summer for a reported €20 million.
“Since the last two occasions Fota Island Resort hosted the Irish Open, back to back in 2001 and 2002, so many significant investments and developments have taken place at the Resort itself and with our golf courses and facilities,” CEO Jonathan Woods said.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to reintroduce the players, the public and the world’s media to Fota Island Resort, and to what is now a world-class, international golf venue.
“The Irish Open will be an enormously important event for tourism in Cork and the surrounding area, which is not just an added bonus for Fota Island Resort but for the whole region too.”
– First published 14.10
