Druids Glen voted Golf Resort of the Year at IGTOA Awards
Padraig Treacy, Killarney Park Hotel, accepts the Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf award at from IGTOA Member Kyra Donworth and Riceal Kelly of JD Golf and IGTOA Sponsor Tom Walsh & Claire Barrett, Waterford Crystal. Pictured at the 26th IGTOA Annual Conference & 2023 Gala Irish Golf Awards in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle Co Down
The 26th Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) awards were held at the refurbished Slieve Donard Hotel overlooking Royal County Down earlier this week and there were major awards for Druids Glen, The K Club, Tralee Golf Club and the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
The black tie event saw Dromoland Castle receiving the Showcase of the Year award for the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, Tralee named Golf Links of the Year, The K Club named Parkland Course of the Year and Druids Glen named Golf Resort of the Year.
North Ireland had a strong representation among the winners as Curran Gate Apartments in Portrush scooped Boutique Property of the Year, Killeavy Castle Estate and The Merchant Hotel Belfast receiving Service Excellence Awards.
The Merrion Hotel won Large Golf Hotel of the Year while Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort received the third service excellence award of the night.
The individual honours went to Fiona Togher of Carne Golf Links, who was named Golf Manager of the Year and Fiona brought an impressive crew of supporters from Mayo to celebrate. Completing a double celebration for Kerry was Padraig Treacy of the Killarney Park Hotel, who accepted the Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf award.
Networking Sessions & Golf Tourism Conference
The Irish Gala Golf Awards capped off the largest annual gathering for Irish golf tourism professionals. The two-day event at The Slieve Donard Hotel and Royal County Down Golf Club included the IGTOA Business Networking Sessions and Golf Tourism Conference (October 8th).
Among the participants were representatives from Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, Mourne and Down District Council, accommodation providers, courses, tour operators, transportation companies, media outlets and merchandisers. The very insightful and informative Golf conference discussion was led by leading industry professionals John McGrillen CEO of Tourism Northern Ireland, John Lawler from Royal Portrush Golf Club, Mike Woodcock from The R&A, and Joe Murphy from Failte Ireland.
2023 Gala Irish Golf Awards Winners List
The Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf: Padraig Treacy, Killarney Park Hotel
Golf Manager of the Year: Fiona Togher, Carne Golf Links.
Showcase of the Year – Dromoland Castle for the KPMG Women’s Irish Open
Links Golf Course of the Year: Tralee Golf Course
Parkland Golf Course of the Year: The K Club
Boutique property of the Year: Curran Gate Apartments, Portrush
Large Golf Hotel of the Year: The Merrion Hotel, Dublin
Golf Resort of the Year: Druids Glen
Service Excellence Awards
Killeavy Castle Estate
The Merchant Hotel
Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort
Event Sponsors
The Slieve Donard Hotel, Royal County Down Golf Club, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Waterford Crystal, Two Stacks Whiskey, Hertz, Wildan Sports & Turtleston, Eno WINE, Match Play Media and iDirect Productions with golf prize contributions from Audi Ireland and Titleist.
