The NI Legends returns to Galgorm this week where Major champions, Ryder Cup stars and multiple tournament winners will be on show as professionals and amateurs take to the championship course in a Pro-am format.
The NI Legends is part of the international schedule on the Staysure Legends Tour and was first played on the championship Castle Course at Galgorm in 2025 when Austria’s Markus Brier returned to top form to claim the title. This week’s event marks the 21st professional event to be staged at Galgorm.
Brier and a host of other household names will be in action once more at Galgorm, where tickets are free in a weeklong festival of golf that will have something for all the family. Register for free tickets at www.legendstour.com/tickets.
“We are delighted to have the NI Legends back at Galgorm again this year,” said Ross Oliver, Director of Golf at Galgorm Castle. “The team has been working hard behind the scenes, and it promises to be another wonderful week for tournament golf here at Galgorm.
“There are so many great names on show, and the pro-am format makes it easy for spectators and fans to watch the professionals up close. We take the opportunity to welcome back the defending champion Markus Brier, who was such a great winner last year.
“Other star names include the high-profile New Zealand duo of Michael Campbell and Steve Alker. Campbell won the 2005 US Open in 2005 in dramatic fashion when he held off the challenges of Tiger Woods coming down the stretch at Pinehurst. Steve Alker is a proven winner on the PGA Champions Tour, has topped the season-ending order of merit and recently won the Rogers Charity Classic.”
It has been summer of celebration for New Zealand with Ryan Fox winning The Open at Royal Birkdale in July. Campbell and Alker are in Ireland this week hoping they can secure another Kiwi win in the is part of the world.
The Ryder Cup influence returns to Galgorm again this week with former European stars such as David Howell, Stephen Gallacher, Jamie Donaldson and Peter Baker all in action. This leading quartet are proven winners and will also be looking to add the NI Legends title to their list of honours.
Home interest takes the form of Cameron Clark, Damian Mooney and Peter Lawrie, who are all set to tee it up at Galgorm. Clark and Mooney were in action at the NI Legends’ Official Launch earlier in the year alongside Gary Murphy to take part in the ‘Par Three Challenge’ on the seventh hole to see how many pars their team could make in five minutes.
Clark, who was born in Ballymena but now resides in England, was excited to return to his hometown. “I was born at the Cottage Hospital here and my dad was Head Pro at Ballymena golf club so it’s wonderful to be back here. It’s the first thing I looked for on the schedule and I’m so excited to be coming back with the family for the tournament in September. It’s going to be a special week.”
Mooney added: “It’s a great venue for a tournament and spectators coming for free will be able to watch the feature holes and then the stadium finish, the 18th is a fabulous finishing hole. There will be plenty of big names to enjoy watching, names that people recognise from the main Tour, so it’s going to be an exciting week for sure.”
Golf fans should also pencil in the Wednesday Celebrity Pro-am where a Northern Ireland Football Legends team will take on the NI Legends All-Stars as they compete for the Galgorm NI Legends Cup. A host of legends are in line to play including former internationals, Stuart Dallas, Steve Davis, Gareth McAuley, David Healy, Keith Gillespie and Jim Wright. The All-Stars line-up is set to include, Jonny Rea, Aidan Walsh, Kyle McCallan, Mickey Harte, Liam Beckett and Ruth Gorman.
Away from the fairways there will be plenty of activities for all the family, especially at the Spectator Village. A dedicated interactive zone and golf simulator will be there plus the Rory McIlroy washing machine challenge. Official Footwear Partner Skechers will be exhibiting too.
The Public Bar and Barista Bar is the perfect stop-off for refreshments, while foodies will enjoy the Galgorm Food Tent, serving Galgorm classics including stone-baked Fratelli pizzas and BBQ Castle burgers. Car enthusiasts should keep an eye out for The Country Garage BMW display beside the Spectator Village.
At the weekend, the Kids Zone will provide something for all the family with bouncy castles and mini golf in the Spectator Village, while the ‘Wee Course’ will be open for little legends to play a game.
Spectators should follow the AA road signage to Galgorm where all spectator parking is on-site and free. Register for free tickets today at www.legendstour.com/tickets
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