The 104th staging of the Irish PGA Championship will be held for the first time at the historic Adare Manor Golf Club in Co Limerick from September 30 to October 5.

The 114-year old course has no connection with adjoining Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, which hosted the Irish Open in 2007 an 2008 and the Irish PGA in 2003.

Past winners of the Irish Professional Championship

PGA in Ireland secretary, Michael McCumiskey said: “We are delighted to be able to bring the Irish Championship to a club with Adare Manor's rich tradition and history. This year's event will be supported by one of our key partners, the Down Syndrome Centre, and we look forward to another exciting and successful tournament.”

The Irish PGA Championship was won last year at Roganstown GC by Derry man Michael McGeady who edged out Ballyliffin's Damian Mooney and Monkstown' Cian McNamara last year.

In the process, McGeady added his name to a list of Ireland's golfing greats including the likes of Christy O'Connor Snr, Harry Bradshaw, Des Smyth, Padraig Harrington and current Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley.

“Adare Manor Golf Club are privileged to be hosting the 2014 Irish PGA Championship at our picturesque 18 hole golf course. Our members are delighted to welcome Ireland's premier golfers to our recently voted 'Best Hidden Gem in Ireland',” said captain Richard Hickey. 

“The venue provides an excellent location to spectators offering easy access to the course while also providing the highest quality hospitality within the golf club and Adare village.

“Adare Manor are also privileged to be linked with the event partners - Down Syndrome Centre - who for many years have created a five star dedication to support families and carers of people with Down Syndrome.

“Finally, the officers and members of Adare Manor Golf Club are delighted to extend a warm welcome to all visitors during the week.”

The main goal of the Down Syndrome Centre is to provide vital services, to support parents in developing a knowledge and understanding of this intellectual disability, and to portray the positive life outcomes that are available for children born with Down Syndrome.

“We are delighted to be associated with this years Irish PGA Championship which is being held in the wonderful surroundings of the Adare Manor Golf Club. We have enjoyed our ongoing relationship with the PGA which is helping us to raise much needed funds to run a centre dedicated to people with Down syndrome,” says Peter Gaw, founder of the Down Syndrome Centre.

“This is a very exciting time for us, having recently leased a premises we expect to have our doors open in early September. The centre is needed now more than ever and we are delighted to be so close to realising our mission of providing services to children with their Down syndrome, along with support and advice to their families.”

Tournament week will begin on September 30 with a practice day.

A pro-Am will be held on October 1. The four-day tournament will run from October 2-5.

About Adare Manor GC

In the late 1890's the Earl of Dunraven employed Scottish professional Ben Sayers to design a nine-hole golf course on the Earl's estate in Adare. This course was completed in 1900. In 1932 the club affiliated to the Golfing Union of Ireland and so the foundation of the current club were formed. Even as a nine hole course, Adare Manor Golf Club had many successes, principally the winning of the All-Ireland Final of the Pierce Purcell shield in 1985. It also produced one of the most accomplished Irish Amateur golfers in Jackie Harrington. Jackie was capped many times for Ireland but his finest hour came when he won the Irish Close Championship at Ballybunion in 1979.
 

In 1992 the current 18 hole course, designed by Eddie Hackett, was opened and in the year 2000 the club celebrated its centenary. It was indeed fitting that the present Earl of Dunraven was President of the club for the Centenary year. A 5000 year old bog oak sculpture was erected at the back of the 18th green to commemorate this special occasion and a time capsule was buried at its base. The capsule is to be resurrected in the year 2050. 

The Down Syndrome Centre

The Down Syndrome Centre is a small charity with a big heart. We are focussed on ensuring that children with Down syndrome in Ireland are given all the chances possible to reach their full potential. 

Once open, our centre will house essential therapies, an extensive resource centre, a Mum & Tots class called SKIP which is based on occupational therapy, as well as continuing the seminars and workshops we provide currently.

We are on the cusp of opening a centre that will provide all of the above and more. We invite you to be a part of the foundations upon which children with Down syndrome can build their future.

Peter Gaw

Peter is a father of four whose two youngest children, Tara and Harrison, were born with Down syndrome. Peter and his family were shocked by the lack of support and services available to them, and from speaking with other families it became apparent that something needed to be done. From his frustration sprung The Down Syndrome Centre, a first of its kind in Ireland.