Federation of Irish Sport members, the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union have joined forces to host the world’s best amateur golfers this August and September at Carton House in County Kildare.

The World Amateur Team Championships will bring 1,000 competitors and officials to Ireland for the Women’s Championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy between August 29th and September 1st, and the Men’s Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy between September 5th and 8th.

It is the first time that Ireland has staged these prestigious biennial tournaments which have in the past seen such stars of the game as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Mary McKenna, Stephanie Meadow and Leona Maguire take part.

Most of the competitors from the 72 participating nations will be accommodated in a ‘Championship Village’ at Maynooth University, adding to the unique camaraderie of this event.

Approximately 10,000 spectators are expected to pass through the gates at Carton during the two weeks of competition, with free admission offered to encourage as many club and junior members to attend.

“We are delighted to welcome and host such a superior event at Carton House,” said Sinead Heraty, Chief Executive of the ILGU.

“Ireland is renowned as a golfing location and has produced numerous world class golfers during both the historic and modern era. The Espirito Santo and Eisenhower Trophies promise to provide two weeks of exciting viewing and an opportunity to see some of the professional stars of the future.”

“This is the first time that Ireland has hosted an amateur golf tournament on this scale,” added Pat Finn, Chief Executive of the GUI.

“In every aspect, the World Amateur Team Championships is a spectacular event. It is a rare opportunity to see so many of the world’s best golfers in action. This momentous occasion will act as a boon to the local economy in north Kildare with restaurants, pubs and hotels in demand throughout August and early September.

The International Golf Federation which conducts the Championship, as well as the Olympic Games Golf tournaments, will also host it’s biennial congress in Ireland to coincide with the event.

Meet representatives of the GUI, ILGU and all our major sporting organisations at the Federation of Irish Sport Annual Conference in Trinity College on Thursday, May 31st.  Click below for details.  It promises to be a great afternoon of learning and networking.


Image(© Golffile | Fran Caffrey)