The Seve Trophy is one of the first beneficiaries of a new, £5 million annual Government fund, aimed at bringing top-level international sports events to this country. Spearheaded by John Dully, chief executive of Bord Failte, it is designed to promote the image of Ireland as a major sports destination.
Known as the International Sports Tourism Initiative, it will have access to a total of £25 million in Government funding over the next five years and will benefit such sports as the Laser World Master Dinghy championships in Crosshaven in August and the World Sportscars at Mondello a month later.
From a golfing standopoint, the Seve Trophy is separate from the established Government support of such events as the Murphy's Irish Open and Smurfit European Open.
A measure of the impressive television coverage commanded globally by last year's event at Sunningdale, is that it was transmitted to more than 20 countries, including Britain, Spain, France, Australia and New Zealand, as well as areas of Central and South America and Asia.
As it happens, next year will mark this nation's greatest-ever involvement in tournament golf, with seven events scheduled for the Republic, along with the Senior British Open at Royal Co Down. In all £10,685,000 in prize money will be offer, not allowing for increases in the meantime.
2002 In Ireland
April - £1.9m Seve Trophy at Druids Glen.
May - £250,000 AIB Irish Seniors Open TBA.
June - £125,000 Irish Women's Open, TBA.
June/July - £1.26m Murphy's Irish Open, Fota Island.
July - £1.75m Smurfit European Open, The K Club.
July - £625,000 Senior British Open, Royal Co Down.
August - £275,000 North West of Ireland Open TBA.
September -- £4.5m American Express Championship, Mount Juliet.
