Lough Erne ready for McIlroy and Harrington

Editorial Department • Published 16 Jul 2009 12:58 0 Comments

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On Wednesday coming at 2.00pm, Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington will tee it up in the inaugural Lough Erne Golf Challenge in a match up between the two best golfers in Ireland which has been billed as the "Duel on the Lough". In so doing, it will be one of the top sporting events ever to come to Fermanagh and will be the perfect offical launch for the Sir Nick Faldo designed championship course at Lough Erne Golf Resort which opened its doors to the public on July 1.

Indeed, in a great week for golf, the duo will "warm up" for the challenge in Fermanagh with the little matter of the Open at Turnberry in which Harrington will be going for his third title in a row while the emerging McIlroy will be looking to be build on his superb 10th at the recent US Open. Hence, it is readily obvious, that this really will be a golfing spectacular with two of the best players in the world.

At the launch of the "Duel on the Lough", McIlroy described it as a chance for local golf fans 'to get up, close and personal' not only with the players but the new course at Lough Erne.

The match will take the format of an 18 hole stroke competition with a $300,000 prize fund set to make sure that this will certainly be a competitive encounter between the two who, before this week, had not played competitively against each other.

It promises to be a gala day at Lough Erne and one to which they have building up for some time.

Project manager at Lough Erne Golf Resort, Michael Treacy explained: 'Preparations have been going well, ticket sales are good and we are now looking forward to a fitting official opening. In terms of spectating, we hope the weather will be kind. The course will be able to stand up to it but it will make it much better for all the spectators if the weather is good. A lot of hard work has got us to this point and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped us along the way in any way. Thanks goes to all our sponsors and now it is just a case of moving on and developing the course and resort so that it helps tourism in Fermanagh and Northern Ireland.'

Michael also revealed that there are still tickets available and these can be purchased in person at the clubhouse at Castle Hume Golf Club, the Lough Erne Golf Resort Hotel and online at www.loughernegolfresort.com. There will be parking both on site and off site and spectators are recommended to arrive at least an hour before the scheduled tee off time of 2.00pm.

It is hoped that the Lough Erne Golf Challenge will be a biennial event and a specially commisioned Belleek Trophy by Jim Treacy, Lough Erne Golf Resort owner, will be presented to the winner with McIlroy the probable favourite as Harrington tries to overcome a recent slump in form. That, however, could all turn around at the weekend with both realistic winners of the Open if they play to their full potential.

Whatever happens at the open, local pride and a fair few dollars will be at stake when the two tee off at Lough Erne. It promises to a great day for the Resort, much has been achieved but in many ways the Lough Erne Golf Resort story is only beginning.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 16 Jul 09

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