*Photograph: Brian Arthur
Dromoland Castle’s setting as the venue for the Women’s Irish Open plus the addition of a new sponsor for the tournament is hoped to inspire the country’s next generation of female golfers.
A three year deal has been agreed with KPMG the new title-sponsor for the tournament which returns to the Ladies European Tour (LET) schedule, following a ten-year absence. The tournament will take place from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th of September 2022.
Dromoland Castle’s championship course will stage the event with tickets on sale at www.womensirishopen.ie. Four-day tickets are priced at €35 while single-day tickets will cost €15. Under 16s attending the event will also be admitted free of charge.
Leading Irish golfer, Leona Maguire is currently sponsored by KPMG. One of the world’s leading professional services firms, it has previously supported the 20×20 campaign and also sponsors Rachael Blackmore and the Dublin ladies football team.
September’s tournament in Dromoland will be “historic,” Declan Keane, KPMG Chief Operating Officer said. He added, “we are committed to investing in young talented people in Ireland and it is my hope that the KPMG Women’s Irish Open will inspire the next generation Irish golfers to compete at the highest level of the game”.
Managing Director of Dromoland Castle, Mark Nolan was hopeful their recent €2m investment in its championship golf course would provide a “platform for the leading women golfers to showcase their talents”. He stated, “KPMG’s commitment to women’s sport and women’s golf over the past number of years, both in Ireland and beyond are a clear indication of their vision and we are delighted to join them on this journey and help establish the KPMG Women’s Irish Open as one of the premier events of the Ladies European Tour”.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin (GP) noted a rising excitement about Ireland’s female golfers. “Irish women’s golf is on a high and this event will showcase not only the fantastic golfing talent in Ireland, but hopefully inspire more women and girls to play the sport. The event is also another opportunity to show our great golf courses to the many potential overseas visitors and promote Ireland as a premier destination for golf tourism around the world. Prior to Covid, more than 200,000 international visitors came to play each year. We are hoping to see an increased number of golfers returning to play in Ireland in 2022 and beyond,” she commented.
Commercial and Marketing Director of Golf Ireland, Vicky Tyas said, “The calibre of the venue at Dromoland and now the addition of KPMG as lead sponsor over the next three years gives the event enormous strength and depth. It is a tremendous commitment and vote of confidence in the development of women’s golf and we, at Golf Ireland, are sure that the re-establishment of the event will inspire many young children to take up the game and participate in the various levels of the Golf Ireland Pathway in the years ahead”.
