Golf tour bonanza for Ballybunion
NORTH Kerry is set to enjoy an injection of much needed business this weekend when Ballybunion Golf Club hosts star golfers from the European Seniors Tour.
The seaside town will host the event from June 5 to 7, with Ryder Cup winning captains Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam competing for European Senior Tour supremacy.
As well as showcasing Kerry as a major sports tourist destination, the Irish Seniors Open gives players from around the world an opportunity of meeting the challenge of playing the Ballybunion links course, which is frequently listed as among the world's top 10.
Fáilte Ireland general manager, Fiona Buckley, said the spectacular backdrops, unspoilt landscapes, mild climate and imaginative courses of Cork and Kerry have given it an unsurpassed reputation as a world class golfing destination.
The Seniors Tour has always had a unique appeal in the world of golf, bringing together outstanding players with a wealth of talent and experience. Events such as the Irish Seniors Open have the ability to generate significant international media coverage and bring substantial benefits for tourism and the wider Irish economy, Ms Buckley said.
She emphasised the importance of golfing visitors to Ireland, given that it contributes an estimated €160 million to the economy.
"Fáilte Ireland, as the national tourism development authority, recognises the importance of golf to our tourism industry," she said. "The Irish Seniors Open in Ballybunion is a key example of this, attracting a strong international field of competitors and enabling Fáilte Ireland to raise awareness of Ireland as a premier destination for golfing holidays."
- MARISA REIDY mreidy@kerryman.ie
