PGA in Ireland confirms Walled City of Derry Pro-Am

Paul Kelly

17th March 2017

The largest event in this year’s PGA in Ireland calendar, the Walled City of Derry Pro Am, will take place in Derry City on August 26 and 27.

For the first time ever, the tournament will be hosted by two venues, the City of Derry Golf Club and Foyle International Golf Centre.
Launching the tournament, Ordhan Dunne, General Manager, Visit Derry said: “Ireland’s North West region is currently at the forefront of golf tourism on the island and whilst this tournament will be an excellent opportunity to promote the quality of the city’s parkland golf, it will further enhance our reputation as a central hub for golfers to enjoy a premier golf and tourism experience.”

Visit Derry in partnership with Derry City and Strabane Council are sponsoring the tournament which will be one of the top attractions in the North West social and sporting calendar this summer.

In 2013, Derry-Londonderry was awarded City of Culture status and enjoyed a change of attitude and a new pride in cultural identity.
It was an incredible and sensational year as the City hosted a raft of events including, the City of Culture 2013 Pro-Am, which was won by Simon Thornton, who carded rounds of 68/65 at City of Derry GC to win by four shots.

Local businesses such as Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Diageo NI, Total Golf, Nuprint, Desmond Motors, Partridge Peartree and Mint Bet have been instrumental in attracting Irish PGA professionals back to the City. This tournament will showcase local and international talent, while making a significant contribution to the local economy.

Michael McCumiskey, secretary of the PGA in Ireland, stated; “This event will attract the top Irish PGA Professionals from all over Ireland. They will be competing against each other for the title and guaranteed prize pot of €15,000 whilst teams of three amateurs will compete alongside the professional for the coveted team prize. The event will have both ladies and gents sections.
“On the Friday a junior event will take place, which is kindly supported by Irish PGA professionals. Undoubtedly, golf enthusiasts from across the North West and further afield will be keen to see PGA professionals play and I’m sure there will be high demand for spaces on teams. It will be a very busy weekend for the City.”

Back row L-R: Christine Mitchell, Lady Captain, City of Derry Golf Club; Mike Carroll, Captain, City of Derry Golf Club; Michael Mc Cumiskey, PGA in Ireland; Lady Mayor Alderman Hilary Mc Clintock, Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council;Simon Thornton, PGA Professional Golfer; Martin Campbell, Captain, Foyle Golf Centre and Florence Rankin, Lady Captain, Foyle Golf Centre. Front row L-R: Odhran Dunne, Visit Derry and Ciaran O Neill, Bishop’s Gate Hotel