Nissan Ireland has been confirmed as the new Title Sponsor of the Irish Open Golf Championship, in association with Bord Fáilte. The announcement was made at a reception in Dublin today which was attended by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue T.D. The Minister announced that the date secured for the 2003 Nissan Irish Open is July 24-27, the week following the Open Golf Championship at Royal St George’s. The European Tour also announced that the world class, magnificent Portmarnock Golf Club will host the inaugural Nissan Irish Open.
Today’s announcement is a result of Nissan Ireland, the Title Sponsors and Bord Fáilte, embracing the true spirit of public-private partnership, thus enabling Ireland’s oldest and most popular sporting event to enter a new era of development. And fittingly, the 2003 Nissan Irish Open is to be played at Portmarnock Golf Club, the first club to host the Irish Open back in 1927.
Speaking at the announcement today, Ken Schofield, Executive Director, The European Tour, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Nissan Ireland as Title Sponsors of the Irish Open and to congratulate both them and Bord Fáilte for their foresight in forming a partnership, with the support of Murray Consultants, which will further enhance the development of this outstanding Championship.
‘This year marked the 75th Anniversary of the inaugural playing of the Irish Open at Portmarnock and we welcome the present Captain, Joe Layden, here today and congratulate all involved at the Club. This will be the 19th occasion that the Irish Open has been hosted by Portmarnock of which we have so many good memories.
‘Indeed, when the revived Irish Open took root at Portmarnock in 1976, the victories of Ben Crenshaw and Hubert Green began a list of champions which is truly a Who’s Who of European and international golf. Ken Brown, Mark James (twice) and Sam Torrance won, followed in 1982 by that wonderful moment for all Ireland when John O’Leary triumphed with Christy O’Connor – himself – tying for third and Eamonn Darcy finishing tied seventh.
‘Then when the Championship again returned to Portmarnock in 1986, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam (twice) and José Maria Olazábal, all Major Champions, won on these wonderful Links.’
Gerard O’Toole, Executive Chairman, Nissan Ireland, said: ‘Nissan Ireland is delighted to become Title Sponsor of the Irish Open. Nissan is a premium quality international brand and we believe our sponsorship of the Irish Open is an ideal strategic fit for us. We have exciting plans for the Championship and intend to focus significant resources on marketing and promoting the Irish Open in the months ahead.
‘The Irish Open is truly the people’s tournament and Nissan intends to maintain it as such. We are proud of the opportunity to take on the Title Sponsorship mantle. Bringing the event back to Dublin will create a renewed hype for our golfing supporters, with the added addition of Portmarnock, one of the world’s best known and greatest Links courses. I look forward to a festival of golf next July.’
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue T.D. welcomed the announcement saying: ‘The Irish Open is unquestionably the pivotal tournament in our golfing calendar, with a prestigious history dating back to 1927. The profile of the 2003 competition will be greatly enhanced by its positioning on one of the premium dates of the summer. I am also delighted to welcome a company of the calibre of Nissan Ireland as Title Sponsor and look forward to a long and fruitful association.’
Bord Fáilte acting Chief Executive Niall Reddy said ‘We are delighted to continue our long association with the Irish Open. With over 220,000 visitors annually taking part in golf, the sport is vital to our tourism economy, and Bord Fáilte works hard at promoting golf tourism both at home and overseas, in conjunction with Tourism Ireland. We have recently appointed Padraig Harrington as an official spokesman for golfing holidays in Ireland, and will unveil a new three-year marketing strategy for golf early in the New Year. In addition our International Sports Tourism Initiative secured eight top golf events in 2002 and is working on plans for the future.’
Speaking at the announcement today, Joe Layden, Captain Portmarnock Golf Club, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome back the Irish Open to Portmarnock. The Club has had the pleasure and privilege of hosting many wonderful Irish Open Championships over the years, back to the inaugural Championship held in 1927. We look forward to next year with particular anticipation as it will be the first major Championship to be played here since the enhancement programme on our Links commenced some years back. Thus it will be with great pleasure that we will welcome the European Tour, players, sponsors and of course the wonderfully appreciative Irish galleries to Portmarnock in July 2003.’
The world’s leading golfers will converge on Portmarnock’s exceptional natural terrain next year to chase the coveted title of the first holders of the Nissan Irish Open.
For more details contact:
Nissan Ireland
Jeanne McGann, Sponsorship and Events Manager
Tel: 01 4091153
Mobile: 086 6836485
Murray Consultants
Sharon McDonnell/ David Linnane
Tel: 01 4980 300
Mobile: 087 2269324
Bord Fáilte
Donnchadh O’Neill, Murray Consultants
Tel: 01 4980 300
Mobile: 087 205 6504
European Tour Communications Department
Tel: +44 (0) 1344 840400
Fax +44 (0) 1344 840444