McIlroy/Harrington shoot-out a chance for local golf fans to get up, close and personal

Published 26 Mar 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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Golfing superstar in-waiting, Rory McIlroy has described his "Duel on the Lough" with three times major winner Padraig Harrington as a chance for local golf fans to get 'up, close and personal' with two golfers ranked in the top 20 in the world.

McIlroy was speaking at the Lough Erne Golf Resort on Tuesday when it was announced that he will take on Harrington to officially open the championship course on Wednesday July 22 with an 18 hole stroke competition between the two with a $300,000 prize fund set to make sure that this will certainly be a competitive encounter.

Moreover, just to highlight the prominence that the Lough Erne Golf Resort will have in the province, the 18 hole Nick Faldo designed championship course will provide the venue for the first competitive round of golf that either golfer will have played in Northern Ireland since turning professional.

A fact maybe not that remarkable for the emerging McIlroy but more so for professional since 1995 Harrington and highlighting the fact that Lough Erne is set to be a major player in the competitive golfing circuit.

Indeed, project manager Michael Treacy confirmed that bringing a European Tour event to the course within the next three to five years 'remained a definite ambition' while McIlroy was in no doubt that the course and adjoining facilities would be ideal for a big tournament.

'You only have to look at the course, the hotel and the facilities to know that Lough Erne can host a European Tour event in the near future,' enthused the 19-year-old who has taken the golfing world by storm in his first 18 months as a professional.

World ranked number five Harrington, joined the press conference live by satellite from Bay Hill in Orlando where he is currently preparing for the Arnold Palmer Invitational tournament which starts today (Thursday) in the United States.

The Dubliner has not seen the course yet but is looking forward to playing it on July 22.

'I have talked about it with Rory and seen the brochures. My wife has already mentioned the Spa, so we are looking forward to coming there in July,' he informed the launch.

Economy minister, Arlene Foster also attended the launch and was certain that the championship course will be a tourism driver for Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, the island of Ireland and the United Kingdom'.

The minister added: 'It is tremendous to be here at such an exciting announcement and it will be a tremendous way to open the resort. Tourism is a key driver for the Northern Ireland economy and promoting the Lakelands area and surrounding region represents a great opportunity for the whole Northern Ireland tourism industry.'

In addition to the $300,000 prize fund the players will play for the Belleek Trophy, specially commissioned by Lough Erne Golf Resort owner Jim Treacy and he hopes the Lough Erne Challenge will be a biennial competition, competed for by some of the world"s top golfers.

'The trophy will be manufactured by one of County Fermanagh"s longest established and most successful businesses giving further emphasis to what this county to offer. I am extremely excited that two of our own, Padraig and Rory are doing Lough Erne the honour of competing in its inaugural staging.'

A limit of 4,000 tickets has been set for the Lough Erne Challenge and local golf fans hoping to attend can contact the resort or visit the website www.loughernegolfresort.com.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Mar 09

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