The Black Desert Resort NI Open presented by Tom McKibbin goes from strength to strength with today’s news that the PGA Tour venue in the United States is the new title sponsor of the renowned Galgorm event to take place from July 23-28.
Black Desert Resort is a unique destination in Utah where ‘ancient lava fields meet vibrant vermillion cliffs of Greater Zion’. The majestic 600-acre expanse will be home to the Black Desert Championship on the PGA Tour when the play gets underway from October 10-13, 2024. It will also host an LPGA Tour event in 2025.
Closer to home, Black Desert put its name to the NI Open as the new title sponsor for one of the leading events on the Challenge Tour. In 2024, the NI Open was relaunched with DP World Tour player Tom McKibbin giving his full backing to the event. News of Black Desert becoming the title sponsor ensures the NI Open will be one of the standout events on the European schedule.
“We are very excited to be partnering with the NI Open,” said Patrick Manning, managing partner of Black Desert Resort. “Crossing the ocean into such an incredible golfing heaven like Ireland will be a true joy and we look forward to the journey and excitement of the tournament hosted at Galgorm Resort."
As Black Desert continues to build its reputation as a tournament venue on both the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, certain connections to the NI Open will also focus on this week’s US Open at Pinehurst Resort & CC where McKibbin and two former NI Open winners will be in action. New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, who won the NI Open in 2016, and last year’s NI Open winner Brandon Robinson-Thompson will feature in North Carolina this week.
McKibbin said he is delighted to welcome Black Desert as an integral supporter of the NI Open. “I have played a lot of golf in the United States, and I hear great things about Black Desert Resort,” said McKibbin, who won last year’s Porsche European Open.
“Black Desert looks like a fantastic destination and a stunning championship course designed by Tom Weiskopf, not to mention a stunning backdrop to the course. For Black Desert to host a PGA Tour event in October and so early in its journey is a real statement of intent.
“I am thrilled Black Desert have come on board as title sponsor to the NI Open. There is real synergy with what they are doing in the United States just now and what’s happening here at Galgorm as a resort and tournament golf that has taken place here every year since 2010.”
Galgorm is one of the UK & Ireland’s leading spa and golf and hotels that continues to set the standard and attract domestic and overseas visitors to a stunning river’s edge destination. Black Desert holds the same ambitious vision across its estate with over 800 luxury rooms and residences and world class facilities to complement the Weiskopf Signature designed course.
As Northern Ireland continues to attract record numbers of golfers from North America to play the province’s best links and parklands courses, another link has been made with Black Desert supporting the truly homegrown NI Open.
"We are thrilled to host the NI Open this July, a prestigious event that underscores Northern Ireland's status as a premier golfing destination,” said John McGrillen, Chief Executive Tourism NI. “Events like these not only showcase our rich heritage and stunning landscapes but also highlight the superb facilities we offer to golfers from around the world.
“The next 12 months will see Northern Ireland on display to the eyes of the golfing world with an exciting line-up of events and the NI Open at Galgorm is the first of these to take place. The venue has established itself as a leading host of world class golf events and we are looking forward to an unforgettable experience for all participants and spectators."
The inaugural NI Open was played at Galgorm in 2010 and evolved into one of the most popular events on the Challenge Tour, breaking all attendance records. This year promises to be just as popular with FREE ENTRY all week and registration for free tickets is available HERE.
Tournament week will offer attractions for all the family away from the course, while a brand-new NI Open Junior Championship will take place (further information to follow), which will be a nine-hole format where juniors follow the professionals onto the championship Castle Course on the Saturday afternoon of the tournament.
