European Tour golf tournament the Irish Open will return to the county of Cork for the first time in 12 years in 2014 after confirmation that Fota Island Resort will become an official sponsor, as well as host venue, of the event.
The Irish Open has most recently been staged at Carton House in County Kildare and was last played in Cork in 2002 when Denmark’s Søren Hansen took the title at Fota Island. Fota Island Resort was recently purchased by Chinese investors Kang Group Worldwide and the 2014 Irish Open will be played on the Deerpark Course from June 19-22.
As well as the support of Cork’s City and County Councils, further investment in the tournament from the private sector has come with BAM Contractors also becoming an official sponsor to the 2014 event.
George O’Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, said: “Having hosted two Irish Opens at the Fota Island Resort, we know the Irish Open will have a fitting home at this superb venue. The new owners of the Fota Island Resort – the Kang family – have impressive ambitions. By securing the 2014 Irish Open they will now be able to showcase their resort and the beautiful surroundings of County Cork to the world via the European Tour’s global television network.”