The Irish Senior Open has been axed from the 2011 European Senior Tour schedule because of lack of sponsorship. But the news that the event will not be going ahead for a 15th successive year was not unexpected considering Wentworth’s grim battle to keep the Irish Open itself afloat in difficult economic times.

Sam Torrance wants to continue his Irish love affair in this week’s €250,000 Handa Irish Senior Open at Carton House.

The Irish Senior Open has been saved from extinction by a Zen Buddhist priest.

Wealthy philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa, who trained as  a priest at one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites, has stepped into to sponsor the event, which will be held on the Montgomerie Course at Carton House from June 11-13.

Ireland looks likely to survive the cash crisis and stage a hat-trick tour events this season.

Challenge Tour marketing executive Mark Aspland confirmed yesterday that he was "very hopeful" that the Challenge of Ireland would go ahead in July despite the economic gloom.

And it also emerged that Failte Ireland is planning to invest in the Irish Seniors Open again in addition to its announced support for the 3 Irish Open in Killarney.

BallybunionThe Irish Seniors Open is facing a slow, agonising death if we are to judge by the words and actions of the European Senior Tour and Failte Ireland.

With the ailing event conspicuous by its absence from the slim-line 2010 European Senior Tour schedule that was released on Tuesday, a call to the undertaker is in order unless a money tree shoots up outside Failte Ireland headquarters.

The European Senior Tour describes it as "ground-breaking" but the 2010 schedule looks decidedly thin and the Irish Seniors Open does not figure at all - so far.

New destinations in South Africa and The Netherlands and a first visit to Carnoustie’s historic links are some of the highlights for the over 50s brigade.

However, it is not at all certain that the Irish Seniors Open will be played for the 14th year in a row.

Paul McGinley has split with caddie Darren Reynolds after a roller coaster six year relationship that brought two Ryder Cup wins and a memorable Volvo Masters triumph at Valderrama.

Former Ryder Cup players Eamonn Darcy and Des Smyth will hope to follow the example of Shane Lowry and provide a popular home winner when the pair tee up in the Irish Seniors Open in association with Fálite Ireland and AIB Bank from June 5-7.

Des Smyth wants to complete a links hat-trick when the Irish Seniors Open touches down in Ballybunion next month.

Des Smyth faces a massive battle to end Ireland's ten-year drought in the Irish Seniors Open at Ballyliffin.

Des Smyth produced some of his best golf of the season to stand on the verge of an historic Irish Seniors Open victory at Ballyliffin.

Wind specialist Des Smyth can re-iginite his season after firing a three-under par 68 to take and slim, one-shot lead into the final round of the Irish Seniors Open at Ballyliffin.

Ireland's Des Smyth crafted a three-under par 68 to take and one-shot lead into the final round of the Irish Seniors Open at Ballyliffin.

Ballyliffin’s Old Links was the real winner as just five players broke par in the opening round of the Irish Seniors Open.

Left-hander Bob Charles rolled back the years to trail leader Alan Tapie by just four shots in the Irish Seniors Open at windy Ballyliffin.

On a day when headline acts Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam struggled to perform, it fell to one of the great artists of yesteryear to thrill the golfing aficionados with a vintage performance in the first round of the wind-buffeted Irish Seniors Open at Ballyliffin.

It could hardly be described a miraculous performance for a man who limits his liquid intake to water and wine. But even by his own high standards, Bob Charles’ level par 71 in the opening round of the Irish Seniors Open at wind-blown Ballyliffin was a truly vintage performance.

Des Smyth is hoping to wake up from his nightmare season by ending a ten-year wait for a home winner in the €450,000 Irish Seniors Open at Ballyliffin.

Creaking knees and bad legs are just run of the mill occupational hazards for the wily veterans who will begin battle for the €450,000 Irish Seniors Open at Ballyliffin’s beguiling Old Links today.