The European Challenge Tour has announced Stone Investment Group as the title sponsor of the Stone Irish Challenge, which will be played at Headfort Golf Club’s New Course in Kells, County Meath from October 10-13.
The agreement marks a new chapter in the growth of the popular event, which is once again the final opportunity for Challenge Tour players to qualify for the limited-field ‘Chinese Swing’ in Hainan and Foshan, where only the top 55 players on the Road to Mallorca Rankings will compete before the Challenge Tour Grand Final.
Last year at the Stone Irish Challenge, Oliver Wilson continued his return to winning ways as he sealed a two-shot victory and collected his second Challenge Tour victory of the season. The Stone Irish Challenge propelled the former Ryder Cup player back to the top of the game, and he has carried his form to the European Tour, where he has recorded an impressive four top five finishes so far this season.
The Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Trophy, which was created to honour the low-Irishman competing in the Stone Irish Challenge, will return in 2019. Conor O’Rourke earned the distinction in 2018, after Ruaidhri McGee in 2017 and Dermot McElroy in 2016.
The Stone Irish Challenge also continues to further the connection with O’Connor Jnr as it is again contested on a course designed by the iconic golfer—Headfort New—which was opened in 2000.
This follows on from the two most recent host venues, Mount Wolseley and Concra Wood, which were also designed by O’Connor Jnr. Stone Investment Group Limited, via a wholly owned subsidiary, Stone Asset Management Limited, provides investment management services via distinctive investment mandates, overseen daily by the disciplined execution of a proprietary investment process and investment philosophy.
The Stone Irish Challenge will play a crucial role in the development of young Irish golfers through the exchange of invitations with other Challenge Tour tournaments, providing playing opportunities for the best of the young Irish talent across the Challenge Tour season.
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