Irish Amateur and Boys Opens go to four days - new Irish Mid-Am
Ireland's Robbie Cannon, the eventual champion, plays his second shot from the rough on the 17th during the fourth round of the 2013 Irish Amateur Open Championship at Royal Dublin. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ie
The GUI is set to announce sweeping changes to its championships this season with a revamped format for the two biggest international events and two new titles up for grabs.
In response to feedback from overseas competitors, players have been informed that the Irish Amateur Open and Irish Boys Amateur Open will remain 72 hole events but will be played over four days rather than the usual three.
There will now be a cut for the top 50 and ties after three rounds rather than two in both events, ensuring that players are three guaranteed competitive rounds.
The Irish Amateur Open Strokeplay will be played at Royal Dublin from May 8-11 with the Irish Boys Amateur Open Strokeplay set for Thurles from June 24-27.
The GUI has also decided to create two new championships - the Irish Mid-Amateur Championship and the Irish Boys Under 13 Amateur Open.
The Irish Mid-Amateur Open will be played at Roscommon Golf Club for the first time from June 21-22 while the inaugural Irish Boys Under 13 Amateur Open Championship will place at Malahide on August 11.
The Irish Seniors Amateur Open Championship will be played at Waterville from May 28-30 and the Irish Boys Under 15 Amateur Open Championship at Castlewarden from August 19-20.
Scotland's Graeme Robertson hits to Royal Dublin's 18th in last year's Irish Amateur Open play-off, won by Balbriggan's Robbie Cannon. Players played two rounds on the final day but there will be just 18 on Sunday this year as the event moves from three to four days. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ie
- May 8-11 Irish Amateur Open Championship, Royal Dublin *New format
- May 28-30 Irish Seniors Amateur Open Championship, Waterville
- June 21-22 Irish Mid Amateur Open Championship, Roscommon *New event
- June 24-27 Irish Boys Amateur Open Championship, Thurles *New format
- August 11 Irish Boys Under 13 Amateur Open Championship, Malahide *New event
- August 19-20 Irish Boys Under 15 Amateur Open Championship, Castlewarden