Golf: The PGA Irish region today announced Sherry FitzGerald estate agents as the new title sponsor of the national championship which will be held at the Pat Ruddy designed Druids Heath course in Wicklow this September.
Since the Smurfit Group ended their long-term association with blue riband event several years ago the PGA has looked towards sponsorship on a year-on-year basis. Michael McCummiskey, secretary of the PGA Irish region, said he was delighted to have Ireland's largest estate agent as the sole title sponsor.
"In recent years we have had multiple sponsors and while we were delighted to have this sponsorship it was difficult to ensure that the companies involved derived maximum return for their involvement," said McCummiskey
"The fact that the high profile Sherry FitzGerald are now fully committed to the Title Sponsorship gives us a wonderful opportunity to further develop our National Championship."
The event will carry a guaranteed €140,000 prize fund, ensuring it remains the largest closed national championship in Europe. If the world number 25 and defending champion Padraig Harrington decides to play he will be aiming for three-in-a-row, having successfully defended his title from 2004 at PGA National Palmerstown House last year.
In all 120 players from these shores will make up the field when the championship gets under way one week before the Ryder Cup from September 14th-17th. Those not already exempt will attend qualifying rounds on July 11th and 12th.
There is no doubt Druids Heath, the second championship course at the Druids Glen resort which opened in 2003, will test players to the full as it measures 7,434yards.
Philip Sherry, managing director, Sherry FitzGerald Countrywide said: "The Sherry FitzGerald Group is delighted to be associated with the Championship. As a national business with offices countrywide we see this as an opportunity to develop relationships throughout the country and promote our brand and the various businesses within the group."
