Galway Bay to host Irish PGA in October

The 12th at Galway Bay

The 54-hole Irish PGA Championship will return to Galway Bay Golf Resort from October 11-13 with a Pro-Am scheduled for October 10.

The Oranmore venue last staged the Irish Championship back in 1994 when a 26-year-old Darren Clarke won with a four-round total of 285.

Tim Rice, who recently won the PGA EuroPro Tour’s “FORE” Business Championship at East Sussex National Golf Resort & Spa will be the defending champion.

The 41-year-old fired a closing two under par 70 to complete a wire-to-wire success at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort last June.

The Limerick professional finished three shots ahead of Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance), with 2016 champion, Damien McGrane, finishing in third on six under par.

“We are really delighted to be staging our national championship at Galway Bay this year,” said PGA in Ireland regional manager, Michael McCumiskey.

“When we first visited Galway Bay in 1993 for the official opening it was clear to everyone what a great layout and design that Christy O'Connor Jnr had delivered.

“It led to the club and the Smurfit Group agreeing to play host to the 1994 Irish PGA Championship. Over four days, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley fought out what can be truly described as ‘the duel in the west’ with Clarke proving best by a very narrow margin.

“This year, defending champion Tim Rice will be joined by many of our leading players including past champions Simon Thornton, David Higgins and Michael McGeady. The field will also feature regular winners Richard Kilpatrick, Brian McElhinney and Colm Moriarty.

“We have played Pro-Ams in recent years at Galway Bay Golf Resort and the style in which the golf course has been presented, through Course Superintendent Damian Coleman, really enthuses our interest in playing the event in October.”

The late Christy O'Connor Jnr designed the beautifully landscaped golf course at the Galway Bay Golf Resort just nine miles from the City of Galway. Its tranquillity belies a challenging par 72 golf course, with particularly strong opening and closing holes. Excellent fairways and true, fast greens guarantee an enjoyable and interesting golf course for golfers of all abilities.

The golf club has recently made an extensive investment into the development of a new clubhouse with a new larger and better-equipped restaurant, bar and changing area so as to enhance the golfing experience.

“We are delighted to announce that the 108th Irish PGA Championship will this year be held at Galway Bay Golf Resort,” said Ronan Killeen, Director of Galway Bay Resort.

“We have hosted many big events in recent times - the Irish Mid-Amateur Open, Bi-Annual Carey Cup and Connacht Finals - and we look forward to welcoming Ireland’s top PGA Professionals to our course. The course is in superb shape right now and we look forward to showing it off in October.

“It promises to be a superb, well-attended event, with the best of Ireland's professionals battling out to become the Irish PGA Champion.”