North of Ireland moves to strokeplay this July; new September date in 2023

Royal Portrush Golf Club's clubhouse. Picture: Thos Caffrey | Golffile

The North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship will be a 72 hole stroke play event this year as Golf Ireland and Royal Portrush introduce changes designed to elevate the event over the next two years.

It will be played over three days with 150 players taking on the Dunluce and Valley Courses from July 13-14 before the cut is made for the final 36 holes on the Dunluce on July 15.

A qualifying event will take place on the Valley course on Monday, 11 July.

The changes are intended to encourage as strong a field of elite players as possible and elevate the ranking of the event.

This year’s event will be the last to take place in July before the 2023 North of Ireland Championship moves to a new slot in September.

Golf Ireland’s Director of Championships, Mark Wehrly said; “We have had a very open and constructive discussion with Royal Portrush Golf Club on the future of the North of Ireland Championship.

"At all times, the focus of both parties has been on ensuring the event will have a healthy future and continue to grow in stature, and in this regard the changes announced today also reflect consultation with national elite squad members from Ireland and other countries across Europe.

“Golf Ireland is grateful to Royal Portrush Golf Club for the immense contribution it continues to make to amateur golf in Ireland, even as its commitments have significantly increased with its continuing inclusion on The Open Championship rota.”

Royal Portrush Golf Club’s Captain, Ian Kerr said: “2022 is the 75th anniversary of the North of Ireland Championship and it has played a vital role in our Club’s history.

"We are confident that this format and date change will attract the leading amateur golfers to challenge themselves on the Dunluce Links, which can be set up similar to The Open Championship.”