Local band the Groove Robbers to gig at Irish Open

And that’s exactly what has happened for Portstewart-based band the Groove Robbers who are preparing to entertain the great and the good of the golfing world during the Irish Open which is being played this week at Royal County Down in Newcastle.

The four piece group were first booked to play at the Irish Open in 2012 when the tournament came to Portrush,

“And it was all down to Wilma Erskine, the secretary of Royal Portrush Golf Club,” explained bass guitarist and vocalist Pip Loughrey.

“She recommended us to the European Tour for Portrush in 2012, and we must have done something right as they asked us back for the following year’s tournament at Carton House.

“We were also requested to play the following year at Cork but our diary was already fully booked.

“We are really delighted to be back with the Irish Open this year playing in Royal County Down in the tented village.

“The organisers have said that they have been impressed with our professionalism and the fact that they can leave us to it and everything goes like clockwork,” he added.

Making up the Grooverobbers along with Pip are Aidan Moffett (lead vocals and guitar), Bud McDonald (lead vocals and drums) and Paul Donaghey (vocals and guitar).

As well as providing musical entertainment for the top golfers, the Groove Robbers are also able to take a bit of time in to take in some of the action on the greens.

“Playing at such a prestigious event has really lead to some fantastic new bookings.

“We have a new playlist, which we will be unveiling at the tournament.

“We are very busy this summer.

“We are also looking forward to playing to the crowds just before the fireworks on the final night of the Red Sails Festival in Portstewart.

“And of course The Open is on its way to Portrush, so we have our fingers crossed for that one!”