GOLF: Irish Open schools trophy tour is coming back

The children of Straffan National School joined (l-r) Brian McIlroy of the Rory Foundation, Antonia Beggs from The European Tour, Dubai Duty Free Golf Ambassador Des Smyth and Tom Walsh of Waterford Crystal to launch the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Trophy Tour 2016.

Supported by the Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI), the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Trophy Tour competition will give four lucky pupils across the island of Ireland a chance to win an historic opportunity for their schools to host a visit from the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Trophy which is currently in the possession of defending champion Søren Kjeldsen.

To enter the competition, children between the ages of 9 and 15 are being invited to tell The European Tour why their class or school deserves a visit from the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Trophy.

Not only will the winning pupils have a chance to get their hands on the prestigious trophy, they will also receive a host of other unique ‘money can’t buy’ prizes for themselves and their schoolmates.

These include a question and answer session with representatives of The European Tour and Rory Foundation and an insight into the life of a professional golfer from Ireland’s Dubai Duty Free golf ambassador Des Smyth, eight-time winner on the European Tour.

Des also played in two Ryder Cups in 1979 and 1981 and was a vice-captain of Europe’s victorious 2006 and 2014 Ryder Cup teams.

Each winning pupil’s class will also receive tickets to go to the Pro-Am event on Wednesday May 18.

The overall winning pupil will receive family tickets for the Pro-Am and a VIP tour with a chance to meet some of the world’s top golfers.

To enter, schoolchildren aged 9-15 should simply send an email to [email protected] outlining in no more than 250 words why their class or school deserves to win this unique and historic prize – clearly stating their name, age, address and school.

Closing date for entries is April 17 with the prize to be taken between April 25 and May 13.

For more information on the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation or to purchase tickets visit www.dubaidutyfreeirishopen.com.

This year will also be the first time that The K Club will host Ireland’s national Open, fittingly on the 10th anniversary of the course hosting Europe’s memorable victory over the USA in the 2006 Ryder Cup.

The K Club also celebrates its 25th birthday this year.

A portion of all tickets sales this year will go towards the Foundation which was established by Rory McIlroy in 2013 to help children live better lives by raising funds and offering support to children’s charities around the world.