Organisers of the Northern Ireland Open, in association with SPHERE Global and Ulster Bank, have announced details of the pre-qualifier events ahead of this year’s event at Galgorm Castle from August 6-9.
Building on last year’s pre-qualifier at the Hilton Templepatrick, there will now be two pre-qualifiers for professionals; the Northern Ireland edition at Knock Golf Club, Belfast on Monday, May 11th, while a new event in mainland UK will take place at Redditch Golf Club, Worcestershire the following Monday, May 18th.
In addition, amateurs will also get their chance to qualify for the NI Open through the annual North of Ireland Amateur Strokeplay played at Galgorm Castle. The 36-hole event will take place on Tuesday, June 9 with the winner to receive an invite to the NI Open.
The NI Open has captured the imagination in recent years with record crowds attending Galgorm to see the likes of Michael Hoey, Tournament Ambassador and five-time European Tour winner, and other household names in action. The new pre-qualifier at Redditch Golf Club, south of Birmingham, ensures the NI Open is accessible to all professionals across the UK and beyond, whilst the Knock GC pre-qualifier caters for Irish professionals, providing the opportunity to tee it up in one the standout events on the European Challenge Tour.
“We are fortunate the NI Open holds a key date on the international schedule and will be looking to attract the game’s top players to Ballymena at the start of August for what promises to be another festival of tournament golf right here in Northern Ireland”, said Gary Henry, Director Galgorm Castle Estates and NI Open Tournament Director.
Cost of entry for the Knock and Redditch pre-qualifiers is £80; each venue will stage an 18-hole strokeplay tournament with the leading two players from each event to qualify for the NI Open. Closing dates are one week before the pre-qualifiers, May 4th (Knock GC) and May 11th (Redditch GC). Entry forms are available via www.niopen.co.uk/news
The Redditch GC pre-qualifier will have a minimum prizefund of £2000 with the prizefund breakdown to be confirmed prior to the event.
Entry for the North of Ireland Strokeplay Tournament is £25 (€30) and the closing date is Monday, May 25th, entry forms are available via www.niopen.co.uk/news
