This season’s hottest golf tickets are on sale offering discounted rates for those who book early for August’s Northern Ireland Open Challenge, presented by Clannah and Xjet, at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena.

Less than a week after Graeme McDowell notched up another fine win for Northern Ireland at the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour, prices have been slashed for early birds hoping to catch a gimpse of the game’s future stars in the province’s only premier professional golf event this year.

Organisers of the European Challenge Tour event, which takes place from August 29th to September 1st, have a number of ‘early bird’ ticket incentives to ensure your chance of seeing the stars of the fairways test themselves at the pristine Ballymena venue.

Purchase before May 31st and enjoy a massive 50% off the cost of a £26 weekly season ticket, or a £12 day ticket

Tickets can be purchased through the dedicated website www.niopen.co.uk, the Pro Shop at Galgorm Castle +44 (0) 28 256 46161 or email golf@galgormcastle.com. Remember, last year’s Irish Open was a sell-out so buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment.  

And that’s not all. Purchase your tickets before May 31st and receive a further 50% off your green fee to play the same championship parkland before the professionals tee it up in the £145,000 (€170,000) showpiece in August.

Golfers can book a fourball to play at the home of the NI Open Challenge for £88 midweek or £110 Saturday and Sunday and if booked before May 31st you receive four ‘day passes’ for the European Challenge Tour event.

For a chance to compete in the NI Open Challenge Pro-am, ‘The Full Monty’ package costs £98 and includes entry into the Pro-am draw, a season ticket to the tournament plus five green fees to use any day of the week, subject to availability. (Terms and conditions apply, tee times after 3pm on Saturdays and after 1pm on Sundays, offer expires December 31st, 2013).

The NI Open Challenge promises to be a festival of golf and an excellent chance to watch multiple European Tour winners such as tournament ambassador, Michael Hoey, compete on home soil and against some of the game’s brightest prospects.  

“Away from the fairways there will also be so much more to see and do,” explains Galgorm Castle’s Kirsty Worthington. “We have many great opportunities lined up for the tented village and corporate hospitality plus free golf lessons at the dedicated Junior Golf Ireland area.”  

“We have a special membership promotion of no joining fee running in conjunction with the tournament where seven day membership of Galgorm can be purchased for as little as £15.68 per week and all other categories are even less.”

The Northern Ireland golf story just keeps on giving and this year’s Challenge Tour event at Galgorm continues the run of high profile professional events staged in the province after last year’s highly successful Irish Open at Royal Portrush.

“Following the tremendous success of the Irish Open last year, the tournament is a great boost to the drive to build on the growing interest in our golf product which has been generated by the success of our home-grown players including Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and, of course, tournament ambassador, Michael Hoey,” explained Arlene Foster, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, at the tournament’s official launch last month.  

“Galgorm Castle is a superb course and offers the ideal setting for the Northern Ireland Open Challenge. Not only will it be a great event for spectators from near and far, it will also provide opportunities for the next generation of players to follow in the footsteps of our local golf superstars.”

TICKET PRICES AND EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS

‘Special Early Bird Offer - 50% Off all tickets purchased before May 31st:

Season Ticket£26 £13

Day Ticket £12£6

Concession Season Ticket£16.50 £8.25

Concession Day Ticket £6 £3

Season Group Ticket (4 adults)  £70 £35

Under 16’s (Free)

(All tickets purchased will be posted closer to the event)

All NI Open Challenge tickets purchased before May 31st entitle bearer to 50% off green fee at Galgorm Castle Golf Club

Special Green Fee Discounts

Book a fourball at Galgorm Castle, £88 midweek or £110 Saturday/Sunday and receive four ‘Day Passes’ to NI Open Challenge

‘The Full Monty’ Package £98

Season ticket to the NI Open Challenge

Entry into draw to play in NI Open Challenge Pro-Am Five green fees to use any day of week (subject to availability, T&Cs apply)

(Limited availability)

Galgorm Castle Membership Promotion

Seven Day Membership £15.68 per week, Six Day £14.24p/w, Five Day £11.23p/w.Junior Membership £3.75p/w (aged 15-18) £2.79p/w (aged 8-14)

Membership entitlements:

Playing rights to one of Ireland’s finest parkland courses (No Joining Fee) Official GUI handicap, access to practice area and clubhouse facilities

10% Discount in clubhouse bar and restaurant, 30% Discount on the golf academy and range

Complimentary tickets and exclusive use of member area at the NI Open Challenge

(Limited availability)