After seeing a rise in prize money and new venues come on board for 2023, PGA Ireland are delighted to announce that the trend is set to continue and 2024 will see even more prize money on offer and several new venues added to the schedule.
Last year, Waterville’s David Higgins made it a hat-trick of PGA Championship wins when he tamed the beast that was Carne Golf Links, joining Damien McGrane and Simon Thornton on the number, and Higgins went on to win a further three times, claiming the Order of Merit title in the process.
With the venue for the 2024 PGA Championship has yet to be finalised, things kick off with the new Antalya Pro-Am scheduled for Cullinan Links in Turkey at the end of February. Several marquee events remain on the schedule for the coming year too with the Donegal Pro-Am at Murvagh set for its second staging, and the Sutton Nine-Hole Matchplay again poised to bring the drama and excitement of competitive golf’s oldest form to the wonderful north Dublin venue at the end of the season.
Having been first launched in 2022, the success of the PGA Open Series is clear with 2023 seeing Clandeboye’s Nicki Grant take down Ryan Gribben of Naas in a playoff with the pair inseparable through 36 holes at Douglas. Grant will have considerably less distance to travel for his title defence with the Open Series moving to Belfast’s Belvoir Park in 2024.
Galway’s Andrew Hickey’s victory in 2023 Assistants’ Championship at Ardee was certainly one of the highlights of 2023 as he lapped the field, shooting -16 over 72 holes to run out an eight-stroke winner.
Perhaps the most exciting news is that, after a one-year hiatus, the 36-hole K Club Pro-Am is set to return to the schedule. Held over both the North and South Palmer Courses, approximately 100 teams are expected to take part in what will likely be the biggest of the Pro-Ams on the circuit.
Overseas events will have five regional qualifiers and, like we saw in 2023, larger events will see Junior Coaching clinics held as the PGA continues to stay in touch with its roots.
“We are building on great momentum,” said Conor Dillon, Manager of the PGA in Ireland. “We have very exciting plans in store for the 2024 season, with more new events and more first-class venues.”
Stay tuned for more exciting news over the coming weeks.
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