News round-up: The organisers of the Nissan Irish Open, which takes place over the Montgomerie course at Carton House from May 19th-22nd, have confirmed a significant coup by announcing that the next two European Ryder Cup captains, Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo, will play.
Woosnam will lead Europe against America at The K Club from September 22nd-24th, 2006, while Faldo will mastermind Europe's challenge at Valhalla in Kentucky (2008).
Both are hugely familiar with the Irish Open, having won the title five times between them, and will offer an incentive for Irish fans to traipse around the new venue.
The Irish Open features a prize fund of €2 million and now boasts a new May date on the European Tour schedule. The tournament should also mark the return to home shores for Ireland's leading professionals, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell.
Woosnam, won his two Irish Open titles at Portmarnock, the first one in 1988, with Faldo finishing in a tie for second, and the Welshman again prevailed in 1989. "I am excited to be returning to Ireland for the first time since being appointed captain for next year's Ryder Cup.
"I have been visiting the country for as long as I can remember and have fond memories of my back-to-back wins at Portmarnock. "
Faldo won three Irish Opens from 1991 to 1993, the first two at Killarney, with the Englishman prevailing for the third time at Mount Juliet.
Meanwhile, the Team Ireland Golf Trust have allocated a total of €251,000 to a host of professionals pursuing their careers on the tours. The trust target golfers who have playing rights on the major tours and young golfers who are starting out to compete on the professional circuits.
Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue made the Team Ireland Golf Trust announcement for the 2005 grant allocations to Ireland's aspiring tour professionals.
This is the sixth year of the trust, which have provided more than €1.25 million financial support to golfers to date. The trust, administered by the Irish Sport Council, aim to contribute to an increase in the presence of Irish golf professionals on the various international tours.
A highlight for the trust in 2004 was Stephen Browne securing his full European Tour Card at the qualifying school, having been assisted by the Trust since turning professional in 2002. He will receive €20,000 this year.
Other successes for trust golfers included Suzanne O'Brien, who retained her card on the Ladies European Tour, and Rebecca Coakley and Hazel Kavanagh, who obtained cards at the qualifying school. They will all receive €20,000.
Six Irish golfers competing on the Challenge Tour in 2005 will benefit from trust support. Michael Hoey, David Higgins and Colm Moriarty will receive €15,000. Grants of €12,500 also have been awarded to Tim Rice and Raymond Burns who are newcomers to the Challenge Tour in 2005. Justin Kehoe will receive €10,000.
One familiar name among the grant recipients is Philip Walton, whose return to the European Tour is extremely welcome. He receives a special award of €15,000 in recognition of his need for assistance in his first year back on the European Tour and his outstanding achievements in golf, including his Ryder Cup record.
Other newcomers to the Golf Trust are Noel Fox and Gareth Maybin.
Fox, like Walton, will receive a special grant of €15,000, in recognition of a distinguished record as an amateur, including the Walker Cup.
Gareth Maybin, who is competing on the Hooters Tour in the US, is awarded €10,000. Ciarán McMonagle, Padraig Dooley, and Eamonn Brady will each receive €7,000 to play on the Europro Tour.
The Golf Trust will also contribute towards the expenses of 20 golfers who will participate in Europro Tour and European Tour Qualifying Schools in 2005.
The Irish Sports Council and Fáilte Ireland provide financial backing with private sector interests IAWS, O'Callaghan Hotels and the PGA European Tour.
The Irish PGA, the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union, along with the State and corporate supporters, are represented on the Team Ireland Golf Trust committee, which is chaired by Padraig O'hUiginn.
