Dubai: Europe’s Race to Dubai Champion Rory McIlroy has issued a ‘call to action’ to golf clubs throughout Ireland, urging them to embrace this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation and help make it one of the best-ever.
McIlroy, arguably the best golfer the Irish island has ever produced, is fiercely proud of where he comes from and has been a great ambassador for Irish golf ever since he hit the big time, promoting Ireland’s abundance of amazing golf courses all over the world.
Now Rory is determined to maintain the Irish Open’s position as one of the premier events in the world of golf and is personally calling on golf clubs all over the country to help him do this.
In a letter to every golf club in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Rory has not only requested that clubs come together to support this year’s Irish Open, which takes place at The K Club in County Kildare from May 19-22, but he has also produced his own personal ‘five-point plan’ to help clubs and their members to get involved.
One highlight of Rory’s plan is the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Club Challenge, a nationwide golf tournament which gives one lucky club team an opportunity to play alongside a top professional in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Pro–Am.
Rory is asking clubs all over Ireland to use existing club competitions to find a Men’s and Ladies’ champion who will then go on to represent their club in regional qualifiers with a national final to be held at The K Club. The winning club will then receive a team invitation to play in the Pro-Am, courtesy of title sponsor Dubai Duty Free which has donated one of its much sought after team spots exclusively for this initiative.
Other features of Rory’s plan include a nationwide skills challenge for junior club members to develop their key golfing skills, special offers to encourage clubs to enjoy travelling to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open by coach or as a group, and personalised incentives from Rory in the form of signed memorabilia.
