EuroPro event at Galgorm kicks off terrific summer of golf in NI

An exciting field prepare to take on the championship course at Galgorm Castle today (Tuesday) until Friday 1st June at the ‘Ulster Bank PGA Europro Open 2012 @ Galgorm Castle, Ballymena’.

The Ballymena-based event will kick off a superb summer of golf in Northern Ireland, with the Irish Open’s eagerly-awaited return to Royal Portrush just around the corner.

The Europro field includes many ex Walker Cup Players who are all now battling it out to get their place on next year’s Challenge Tour.

Stuart Manley who was on the Challenge Tour in 2011 is currently one of the leading players on the Europro Tour. Manley has had a colourful sporting career with football trials at 16 for Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Luton he decided to choose a golfing career where he has firmly made his mark.

Manley’s teammate in the Walker Cup 2003, Noel Fox will be playing against him at Galgorm. Fox was a serial winner at the top of the amateur game with six major GUI championships under his belt. Wallace Booth, a member of Scotland’s winning side at both the European Amateur team Championship and the World Amateur Team Championship will also be gracing the greens of Galgorm Castle.

Northern Ireland’s own Jonathan Caldwell and Paul Cutler will be part of the field of 156 tour players.

Caldwell was partnered with Rory McIlroy in the Walker Cup in 2007 and also claimed his European Tour card in 2008 after qualifying from Tour School in Spain.

Cutler who learnt the game on the links of Portstewart golf club, had a career high with an unbeaten contribution to Great Britain and Ireland’s Walker Cup victory at Royal Aberdeen in September, the first since 2003.

The local challenge will come in the form of host club players Liam Reilly - who missed the cut by a single shot last year - while David Kernohan and club professional Phil Collins will look to improve upon their 2011 performances.

This quality field of players will be taking on the challenging course at Galgorm Castle.

Gary Henry, General Manager says: “The course is in great shape even with the very cold spring. Fairways are tight with the rough punishing. Greens running fast, the set up will challenge the players with the winner having to drive the ball well.

“We are really looking forward to kicking off a fantastic summer of golf”.

This event is FREE for all spectators and there will be free on site parking. Gates are open from 7am – 7pm each day and we encourage everyone to come down to the estate and take in the buzz.

As has become the traditional format, the week’s events begin today (Tuesday) with the annual George Best Invitational Pro-Am, with the first round of the 54-hole championship teeing off on Wednesday and running through to its conclusion on Friday.

As well as the wonderful golf there is a fantastic tented village which includes wonderful attractions such as Andrew Morris Golf, Cadenza Events NI, Bushmills Distillery, Lexus, Ecurie25 Supercar Club, Galgorm Resort & Spa, Major Golf Truck and many more.

The Ulster Bank PGA Europro Open 2012 @ Galgorm Castle, Ballymena is offering the opportunity for children to get FREE coaching during the event. Junior Golf Ireland will be on site from Tuesday through to Friday from 12 noon – 6pm.

To book your child a slot and see if they can follow in Rory’s footsteps just contact the Pro Shop today on 028 2564 6161.

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