Solheim Cup a goal as Slieve Russell unveiled as PGA National Ireland
Leona Maguire at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Golf & Country Club
The Solheim Cup might be a dream right now but Slieve Russell Hotel, Golf & Country Club has every right to think big after being unveiled today as PGA National Ireland.
A ten-year deal with the Professional Golfers' Association has been in the pipeline for the last 18 months and the resort is understandably thrilled to become only the eighth PGA National designated resort in the world.
"Since the opening of Slieve Russell Hotel, Golf & Country in 1992, we have worked continuously to ensure that our golf and leisure facilities are amongst the best in the country," said Tony Walker, General Manager at Slieve Russell Hotel, Golf & Country Club.
"It is a huge honour to have been selected by the PGA to be designated as PGA National Ireland.
"We believe it is reflective both of the quality of the course and of the facilities which we have invested in and upgraded significantly in recent years with significant plans to continue to do so cementing our position at the forefront of the Irish golf and leading tourism venue for both domestic and international visitors."
The designation is recognition not just of the highly acclaimed 18-hole championship course, but also of the quality of the facilities that make up the 300-acre Slieve Russell Hotel, Golf & Country Club estate.
The resort is now expected to host a PGA designated event and given the resort's connection with the Maguire twins Lisa and Leona, they would love to host a professional women's event too and even one day bid to host the Solheim Cup.
The 2020 Staysure PGA Senior Championship, which attracts players like Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer, is at the top of the resort's wish list.
Failing that, the PGA Cup match between GB&I and the USA is another preferred option for a venue situated just 90 minutes from Dublin and only two hours from Belfast.
Gordon Smyth, the resort's esteemed Head Professional, was one of the driving forces behind the deal and he's proud that Slieve Russell has received such recognition.
"We believe our designation as PGA National Ireland is reflective of this work and to join a club of just eight PGA National designated resorts worldwide including, the likes of The Belfry and Gleneagles is a huge honour and reflective of the quality of Slieve Russell as a venue for golfers of all levels and abilities," he said.
"The ultimate goal is to try and get a Solheim Cup here in the late 2020s and with Leona and Lisa Maguire attached here, it's a logical goal for us. The course measures just over 7,100 yards, and it would be perfect for a women's or seniors' event."
With the Sean Quinn case now settled, it is likely the resort will quickly be snapped up by an investor seeking a high-quality venue that has invested heavily in recent years.
The course, which was designed by the late Patrick Merrigan, weaves its way around the lakes and drumlins of the County Cavan landscape with the estate's 50 acres of water an integral part in the design.
The PGA National Ireland designation follows a period of sustained strategic investment by Slieve Russell to grow its business not just on the island of Ireland but also internationally.
The strategy has seen the property carry out a major investment plan in recent years to upgrade both the golf course and the many other facilities that has seen Slieve Russell establish itself as one of Ireland's leading hotel, golf and country club resorts.
Leona and Lisa Maguire have been playing golf at Slieve Russell Hotel, Golf & Country Club since they were eight years old
These include on-going improvements to the greens, tees, fairways and bunkers as well as the development of the Golf Academy to include state of the art video equipment allowing for detailed swing analysis.
There has been a total overhaul of the now state of the art banqueting, conference and event facilities and a significant upgrade of the Ciuin Spa.
Further investment to upgrade all of the 220 hotel bedrooms is underway and will cement the Slieve Russell as the premier business and leisure tourism venue in the north-east of Ireland.
The course has hosted two European Tour events and was home to the Irish PGA Championship.
In addition, the venue also stages an annual PGA pro-am, with the popular event featuring a collective prize fund of €1.2million since it was first held in 1997, making it the most lucrative PGA pro-am tournament in Ireland.
"We are delighted to welcome Slieve Russell to our exceptional list of PGA Branded Properties," PGA chief executive, Robert Maxfield said.
"The PGA National – Ireland further strengthens The PGA brand's reputation internationally, and we look forward to promoting Slieve Russell to both PGA Members and golfers across the globe."
The par-72 layout measures 7,053 yards from the back tees and is firmly established among Ireland's top 50 courses.
It now joins the PGA National family which includes The Belfry in England; Gleneagles in Scotland; Argentario Golf Resort & Spa in Italy; Kempinski & Antalya Golf Resort in Turkey; Zavidovo in Russia; Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus and The Oaks in the Czech Republic.
