The European Tour group yesterday announced a landmark deal with The K Club which will see the 2006 Ryder Cup venue host the Horizon Irish Open and the Irish Challenge for the next six years.
Starting in July, the Irish Challenge will visit Co. Kildare in 2022, 2024 and 2026 while the Horizon Irish Open will take place in the intervening years in 2023, 2025 and 2027.
The events will make the most of the venue’s two courses, with the Horizon Irish Open being played across the Palmer North Course, while the Irish Challenge will be held on the Palmer South Course.
Jamie Hodges, Head of Challenge Tour, said: “It means a huge amount to Irish golf. To have this announcement for the next six years, I think it provides clear direction for the events, two different golf courses but the same home.
“I think it’s a landmark moment, a moment where The K Club have shown their support to not just the DP World Tour and the superstars of the world game but also to the next generation. I think they should be commended for that.”
The Irish Challenge returned to the Road to Mallorca International Schedule in 2015 and has been played at various venues in the years since. The tournament will continue to travel the island of Ireland in the years to come, but will have a permanent home in the form of The K Club for three of the next six years.
“We’ve now got an opportunity with a home for three of the next six years to really focus on trying to raise the profile of the event and trying to grow the event,” said Hodges.
“It plays an incredibly important role in the development of the next generation of players on the island of Ireland but we’ve also now got an opportunity to take the event to the next level with an established home for three of the next six years.
“I know the members will be delighted. They all want to play on quality golf courses, that’s true of every professional at every level so to be able to say to them that we’re coming to The K Club and playing the Palmer South course, I know they’ll be delighted when they get here. We’re confident that when we get here in July we’ll be able to deliver one of the best tests on the 2022 Road to Mallorca.”
The Irish Challenge will take place on The K Club’s Palmer South Course from July 28-31, 2022.
