The contribution of European Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills to golf in Ireland over the years has been recognised by the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association at their annual awards dinner at the Lough Erne Resort in County Fermanagh.
Hills was presented with the Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf Award by Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment, Gerry O’Keeffe, Director of Special Markets for Waterford Crystal and IGTOA member Kyra Donworth.
Minister Foster said: "These awards celebrate the great achievements of those who play a pivotal role in golf. I want to congratulate Richard Hills, and all of the other award winners on their prestigious achievements.”
Leo Varadkar, the Irish Government’s Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, added: “I’d like to congratulate Richard on receiving this award from the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association. Richard was a key figure in hosting The 2006 Ryder Cup in Ireland, and this award is richly deserved given his contribution to the on-going success of golf in Ireland, both as a sport and as a tourism sector.”
European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady – who attended the evening and also presented the IGTOA Award for Links Golf Course of the Year to representatives of Royal Portrush Golf Club, the host of this year’s Irish Open – said: “This is a fully deserved honour for Richard.
“It is testament to his hard work over the years and the wonderful relationship he has built up with all of Ireland which, of course, culminated in 2006 with Europe’s memorable Ryder Cup triumph at The K Club. All of us at The European Tour congratulate Richard on this award and share the pride and pleasure I know he feels in receiving it.”
