European TourBrian KeoghCarton House, Fota Island, Irish OpenComment

Irish Open venue still up in the air?

European TourBrian KeoghCarton House, Fota Island, Irish OpenComment

Fota Island.

The European Tour is set to release the entire 2014 schedule later this week but it appears they are likely to leave TBA [“To Be Announced”] next to The Irish Open venue on the calendar.

The event was expected to move from the Montgomerie Course at Carton House to its sister O’Meara Course from June 19-22 next season.

Now it appears that the new Chinese owners of Fota Island may be interested in investing in the Irish Open has led to a delay.

Fota Island was bought by a Chinese hotel group run by the Kang family for €20 million this summer.

The Cork resort hosted the Irish Open in 2001 and 2002 when Colin Montgomerie and Dane Soren Hansen triumphed in front of huge crowds.

It may be too soon for Fota Island to return to the Irish Open fold but it’s clear that if there’s even the remotest interest from the new owners in investing in the event, Wentworth will take a serious look at it.