NI Open organisers expecting record crowds for big August event
Galgorm Castle is location for one of calendar highlights
Unprecedented attendances are expected for one of the biggest dates of the local golfing calendar.
The NI Open takes place as usual at Galgorm Castle between August 16 and 19.
And for the third consecutive year Modest! Golf and pop star, ex One Direction’s Niall Horan (pictured handing over last year's trophy to Robin Sciot-Siegrist) will be returning.
More than 43,000 spectators came through the gates last year – but organisers are expected even bigger crowds this time around.
Horan said: “We are delighted to announce Modest! Golf’s return to the Northern Ireland Open for the third year. The event has grown every year and we look forward to linking up with Galgorm Castle and the Challenge Tour once again.”
And he said they were already thinking to the future.
“Year on year, this tour develops the next generation of European Tour winners and Major champions and we can’t wait for the NI Open to play its part, both this year and in future years,” he said.
“We have lots of plans with Galgorm Castle to develop this event even further over the coming years.”
Modest! Golf director Mark McConnell added: “Interest in the NI Open has never been higher and we are excited to return to the traditional four days stroke-play and look forward to welcoming new audiences to experience the best Challenge Tour event in the world.”
Tourism NI’s Aubrey Irwin said the Open was a great opportunity to “showcase our world-class golf courses” while Galgorm Castle managing director Gary Henry said the event “opened so many doors to other events across Europe and beyond by way of reciprocal invites.