Golf Digest Events, owned and operated by Walton Media, has been appointed by Down District Council in Northern Ireland to run two annual three-day golf events, which take in the county’s leading courses, including the world-renowned Royal County Down golf links.

The Down Spring Trophy and The Down Summer Trophy are immensely popular with amateur Irish and international participants, and are as well-known for their social dimension, as for the challenging golf and competitive environment, according to Linton Walsh, Managing Director of Walton Media.

“Down boasts some of the most spectacular golf courses in Ireland, and we are delighted to bring the experience and expertise of Golf Digest Events to these most competitive and engaging tournaments, working with Down District Council for the next three years”,Linton Walsh said.

The Down Spring Trophy, which takes this month, between April 23rd and 25th, is now into its 16th year, and was previously known as the Coasts of Down Links Challenge Golf Tournament.  Ardglass Golf Club and Spa Golf Club host the first two days golf, with the final round at Royal County Down, where golfers tee-off in leader-board positions with the top scoring players in the final groups.

The popular tournament is limited to 136 players, and the competition format is singles stableford, with scores from all three days counting towards the overall winning total.  The player to be crowned the Down Spring Trophy Champion, and awarded the perpetual trophy, will be decided in a shootout between all players vying for the top spot on the leader-board at the end of day three.

There are individual competitions and prizes on each day, with players competing for prizes in their dedicated category; Ladies, Men, and Over 60s.  Other prizes on offer on each of the three days include longest drive, nearest the pin, and category winners, and all golfers must be members of an affiliated golf club and hold an official handicap. 

Members of one of the associated clubs can pay a competition entry of stg£80, and the competition is open to non-members at an entry fee of stg£130.  Stay & play accommodation packages are available at leading local hotels including the 4 Star Slieve Donard Hotel and the Burrendale Hotel with more information on the website at www.downcountygolf.com

The Down Summer Trophy, taking place between the 13th and 15th of August, was formerly the Heart of Down Golf Tournament, and is, again, played over three days, and hosted by Royal County Down, Ardglass Golf Club, and St. Patricks Golf Club.

Limited to 148 players, the competition format is the same as the Spring Trophy, and members of the associated clubs can pay a stg£75 competition entry, while non-members can enter this enjoyable, but testing, tournament for stg£130.

A player welcome pack, goodie bags and on-course refreshments are included in the entry fee, as well as the three days of top level golfing.

County Down offers golf courses to charm and challenge enthusiasts and experts alike, and all with breath-taking views, according to Maria McCarthy, Council Chairman with Down District Council.

“Over the years our Down Trophy tournaments have introduced golfers from across Ireland and the world to the charming and challenging parklands and links courses the county has to offer.  We are delighted to bring these two tournaments to a whole new level of professional management, with the appointment of Golf Digest Events to organise our future tournaments”.

Walton Media, which also publishes leading golf titles including Golf Digest Ireland andGolfing Magazine, already run the biggest amateur golf tournaments in Ireland, as well as regional tournaments and corporate golf days, through their Golf Digest Events business. 

The company manages 23 events nationally, including The Golf Digest Volvo Open,comprising sixteen open golf tournaments on Ireland's greatest links and parkland courses, which offer the biggest prize fund in Irish amateur golf.

More information of all of the company tournaments and corporate golf services is available on www.golfdigestevents.ie.