Published: Thursday, 4th June, 2009 9:00am

Jim would love to see European Tour in Fermanagh

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Lough Erne Golf Resort owner Jim Treacy says he would "dearly love" to bring the European Golf Tour to Fermanagh.

Jim was speaking after it was revealed in the national press this week that the new course is one of the front runners to host the prestigious 2010 British Masters which has been won in the past by the likes of Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie.

'It is common knowledge that The Faldo Course has been designed and built to the highest tournament standard specifications, and that six time Major Winner Nick Faldo has produced a magnificent Golf Course capable of challenging the World"s best Golfers,' said Jim.

'While we are in the early days of the life of this course, which only opens on July 1st, I am ambitious and would dearly love to see a prestigious European Tour Event take place in Northern Ireland and particularly in my home County of Fermanagh.'

Lough Erne professional Rory McIlroy is managed by Chubby Chandler, and it is Chandler"s promotional company International Sports Management who have the job of finding a home for the 2010 British Masters.

'We"re set to open discussions with the Lough Erne team and various parties to see if we can make it happen,' said Chandler. 'It"s definitely not certain, but it"d be a big thing for Northern Ireland.'

During the 27 year history of the European Tour Northern Ireland has never hosted an event on the schedule, but from the inception of Lough Erne Golf Resort Jim Treacy pledged to build a course worthy of the best golfers in the world. It now looks as though that dream could become a reality.

The course will have an early experience of top level golf next month when Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington play a head to head match on 22nd July, just days after both contest the British Open at Turnberry. However it is the prospect of hosting an annual PGA Tour event that would truly realise a dream.