Irish professional golfers have said that they want to see the Irish Open stay in Killarney.
The calls come after this year’s Irish championship contenders, including Graeme McDowell and youth sensation Rory McIlro, both gave the course their seal of approval after their rounds there.
And according to the Irish Time’s Philip Reid “any forensic examination of the 2010 tournament at Killarney would indicate it is a no-brainer to bring it back to the same venue again next year.”
3, the event’s promoters, are said to be keen to bring the Open back to the County Kerry golf course in future years, and have scheduled a meeting with Fáilte Ireland and the PGA European Tour to that end. The telecomms company was praised for its energy and creativity in promoting the golfing fixture.
The Irish Times golfing correspondent said in a piece today that it would make sense to “consolidate the progress” made by the Kerry course by hosting another Irish Open there in the year 2011.
The Irish players were effusive in their praise of the venue. Paul McGinley said that: “I’m not suggesting we stay here forever but I’d like to see it coming back next year with a little bit more rough. It ticks a lot of boxes and it is back and re-established itself as one of the premier events on tour.” and added that, “The Irish Open is very much viewed along the lines of being great craic and being played on great venues too. Although we’ve had great venues the last number of years, we’ve never had an epicentre, a town close-by that’s been buzzing. I think Killarney bought into that.”
Darren Clarke said that . “I really hope that they decide to stay in Killarney for another couple of years. Killarney has come out on top. I think the crowds we’ve had, the venue, I think all of the players have loved it. It’s been hugely positive.”
It’s believed that a final decision on the mater will not come for several months.
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