Official event sponsor Bridgestone will once again recognise the leading Irish players under-30 at this week’s ISPS Handa World Invitational Men | Women, presented by Modest! Golf.
Bridgestone introduced the initiative at last year’s NI Open at Galgorm Castle when Cormac Sharvin received the trophy and a cheque for £250 (€270). This year Bridgestone have doubled the prize to offer two cheques for the leading male and female players under-30.
“Bridgestone is committed to supporting golf talent in Ireland and presenting an award for the leading male and female Irish players at the prestigious ISPS Handa World Invitational Men | Women is a perfect progression of our activities in this area,” said Colm Conyngham, Marketing and PR Manager, Bridgestone Ireland.
“We are very pleased we are able to offer an award for both the best male and female golfers. We hope that helping to shine the spotlight on talented young players we will ensure that competitive world class golfers continue to emerge in Ireland.”
At the midpoint of the tournament, a number of players have put themselves into contention to receive the Bridgestone cheques come Sunday evening. In the men’s draw Galgorm amateur Josh Hill is the leading Irish player. The 16-year-old has been in great form to be three under and inside the top 20 at the hallway stage.
The women’s draw is tightly packed with a number of young Irish stars at the top of the leaderboard. Stephanie Meadow shared the overnight lead on four-under and was closely followed by Leona Maguire and amateur Lauren Walsh from Castelwarden, one shot further back.
Bridgestone supports Irish golf at a number of different levels. The world’s largest tyre manufacturer sponsors the GUI’s Order of Merit, which was recently won by Naas golfer Rob Brazill.
“What we do here in Ireland complements our involvement in golf at other levels too. There are many different strands to the business.”
The leading Irish players under-30 will be presented with their cheques at Sunday’s prizegiving on the 18th green immediately after play concludes.
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