Golf lovers are promised an awesome August as the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics returns to Northern Ireland.
It will give a giant welcome to some of the best male and female golfers in the world from August 17-20. Galgorm will again return as host venue, but will this year be joined by the stunning Castlerock Golf Club as the new co-host.
It will allow the public plenty of access to the golfing giants and homegrown heroes like Tom McKibbin, who will tee it up on home soil for the first time as a DP World Tour winner.
Another local favourite, Stephanie Meadow, is relishing the opportunity to get in front of a home crowd: “Northern Ireland holds a very special place in my heart and I always enjoy going back to the place which will always be home,” Meadow said, who is Galgorm’s Touring Professional.
This will be a welcome return for spectators to catch Meadow, who won the inaugural edition of this event in 2019.
The event is one of the most innovative golf tournaments in the world, where 144 of the world’s best male and 144 of the world’s best female golfers compete.
There are two separate tournaments for men and women professionals, who will compete on the same courses at the same time for two equal prize funds of US$1.5 million each. This is a tri-sanctioned event between the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour.
Castlerock Golf Club will play host on Thursday and Friday, and then the action switches to Galgorm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are required for Galgorm only. The event is family friendly, with under 12’s going free.
There is entertainment on and off the course. Last year Sweden’s Maja Stark and Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson won the unique event. This year promises to go one better with a world-class field set to compete across four dramatic tournament days.
Galgorm Castle Managing Director, Gary Henry is delighted at its return:
“Galgorm is recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s leading tournament venues, hosting international events for almost 15 years, including the 2020 Irish Open on the DP World Tour,” said Galgorm Castle Managing Director, Gary Henry who is relishing its return. “We are delighted to see the ISPS HANDA World Invitational return to Galgorm and new co-host venue Castlerock GC in the coming days.
“It’s an exceptional event where men and women compete at the same venues at the same time and for equal prize money. It is also a key event in the qualifying process for both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup. We look forward to putting Galgorm and Northern Ireland in the global shop window through worldwide coverage of this great event.”
Siobhan Mc Guigan – Head of Events at Tourism Northern Ireland is equally positive:
“We are proud to be the host destination again this year for ISPS Handa World Invitational. It’s great to have such an innovative event back in Northern Ireland and even better to have our own homegrown talent taking part. It’s a great showcase for both the superb parkland and links courses Northern Ireland has to offer. The event will ensure the strong Northern Ireland Golf Tourism offering remains at the forefront of consumers’ minds, especially as we all prepare to welcome back The Open back to Royal Portrush in two years time.
Feeling inspired, why not grab your clubs and book your own stay and play break to get in the mood?
Northern Ireland is made for golf, with 90 fabulous links and parklands Golf Clubs to choose from. Prepare for the return of The Open to Portrush in 2025 and put yourself in the mood with a range of great value Stay and Play breaks on The Discover Northern Ireland website which will suit all your golfing needs! There’s a range of 1–3-night breaks at superb locations across Northern Ireland, from resort golf on the glorious lakeside greens of Fermanagh’s, Lough Erne Resort to the stunning causeway coast at Ballycastle.
There’s also a series of giant offers to help tee up The ISPS Handa Invitational with the chance to win a fourball voucher for Clandeboye Golf Club. It co-hosted the NI Swing 2023, where players competed to qualify for the ISPS Handa event, alongside a £200 Hastings Voucher for your very own stay & play break- Competition.
Entries can be made on the Discover Northern Ireland Facebook page and there’s also the opportunity to win official signed merchandise, including a sleeve of Titleist golf balls & 4 tickets to all days of the ISPS tournament.
Don’t miss your chance to be there. Tickets can be purchased here.
So keep your eye on the ball with Discover NI’s social channels @discoverNorthernIreland and #EmbraceAGiantSpirit. You can share pictures on #MyGiantAdventure bit.ly/ShareMyGiantAdventure
For more information on what’s on or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/
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