Past European Tour winner, Simon Thornton has been appointed tournament professional for Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort near Blessington Lakes, Co Wicklow.
Simon, who was third in the PGA in Ireland order of merit for 2017, will also assist the PREM Group owned resort in its plans to become one Ireland’s premier golfing destinations. The resort’s championship golf course was recently announced as one of the host venues for the PGA EuroPro Tour, Europe’s leading development tour, and the European Tour’s satellite in the UK and Ireland.
Welcoming Simon to Tulfarris, Jim Murphy, CEO, PREM Group, said that they were looking forward to the contribution he would make at the championship golf course, which has undergone an extensive work programme since the resort was purchased by PREM Group last year. “This is an exciting appointment for Tulfarris. With his vast experience and expertise, Simon will be an important resource to the team as they continue to enhance the range of facilities and services they offer.”
Simon Thornton said: “I am delighted to be starting my new role at Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort. The first thing I noted was the quality and layout of the course, which is really impressive. Tulfarris really has all the ingredients to become one of the premier golfing destinations in Ireland. It’s an exciting time for the Resort and I am looking forward to being part of its success.”
A member of the Professional Golfers’ Association, Simon began his career as an assistant club professional at Royal County Down. He progressed through the PGA Irish Region, EuroPro, playing on the Challenge Tour in 2009, finishing 51st before earning his European Tour card at qualifying school at the end of the season. In June 2013, he claimed his first win on the European Tour with victory at the Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open in France.
Injury has plagued Thornton over the past few seasons and he is now eight months on from the foot surgery he had in March and although still not quite fully recovered he is happy with his progress. After claiming the Tulfarris pro am sponsored by Irish Golfer in September Thornton was happy with his progress.
“I always tend to play nicely at the back end of the season for some reason and this last month I have really started to play well. The injury is probably about 80% there now with the injury. Six months on from the operation and I am quite positive as to how it feels. This time last year I was taking my shoes off in between shots and walking down the fairways bare foot as the pain was so bad. I am looking forward to building on the late season form and getting 100% fit leading into 2018 as the last five or six months have been rebuilding my game post operation.”
The partnership with Thornton is just the first of may exciting developments happening in 2018 at Tulfarris…….. watch this space !
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