Irish Seniors Open:The PGA National Ireland golf course will play host to next year's AIB Irish Seniors Open from June 1st-3rd next year. The Kildare layout, set in the Palmerstown House estate and designed by Christy O'Connor Jnr, will stage the 11th version of the prestigious event. Greenstar and Fáilte Ireland are subsidiary sponsors.
Former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance is expected to be on hand to defend the title he won last year at Fota Island in Cork, as a result of a four-man play-off.
The event returns to the eastern seaboard for the first time since Japan's Seiji Ebihara claimed victory at Powerscourt in 2001.
Andy Stubbs, the managing director of the European Seniors Tour, said: "Over the past decade the AIB Irish Seniors Open has established itself as one of the key tournaments on our schedule, and we are delighted to be able to bring it back to the many thousands of golf fans in and around Ireland's capital, especially in a year when the Irish Open on the European Tour is switching to Limerick (Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort).
"The PGA National Ireland will pose a fresh challenge to the majority of our players, but, knowing Christy as we all do, we are certain to find a tough test and a beautiful layout rolled into one."
O'Connor described his work at Palmerstown House as one of the easiest design jobs he had ever undertaken due to the quality of the land.
Thousands of mature trees punctuate the course and its many lakes and streams mean water is found on 13 holes.
Billy Andrews, general manager of AIB Bank, which has sponsored the event since it was inaugurated in 1997, said: "We are delighted to remain involved in this successful event."
