NI Open place for winner of North of Ireland Strokeplay at Galgorm

The winner will also book their place in the Northern Ireland Open, in partnership with Ulster Bank, at the same venue later this summer.

The North of Ireland Strokeplay, sponsored by Specsavers Ballymena, takes place at the renowned Ballymena venue on Tuesday 28th June and entry for the 36-hole tournament is now open.

One month later the lucky winner will return to Galgorm Castle to compete alongside the professionals in the European Challenge Tour’s record-breaking NI Open from July 28-31.

Galgorm Castle has always proved a great test of tournament golf and the North of Ireland Strokeplay tournament has produced some great champions over the years.

Local favourite Dermot McElroy won in 2013 and went on to compete in the inaugural NI Open when the Irish international finished tied ninth on six-under 278 behind winner Daan Huizing from The Netherlands. The Ballymena amateur was joint leading Irishman alongside Jonny Caldwell that year.

Massereene’s Tiarnon McLarnon won last year’s North of Ireland Strokeplay by three shots after rounds of 68, 69 gave him a five-under 137 winning total.

Several key improvements have been made to the course over the last 12 months. The championship tee at the second has been extended and a new bunker complex added along the fairway to further enhance this risk, reward par four. The championship tee box at the eighth was also extended on a course that now measures over 7,100 yards.

Entry for the North of Ireland Strokeplay is £35 (€45) and includes lunch. The closing date for entries is Monday 13th June.

Download the entry form at http://www.niopen.golf/noi-strokeplay-2016/ or for further information contact the professional shop at Galgorm Castle on +44 (0) 28 2564 6161.