The West of Ireland Golf Championship, County Sligo Golf Club
(between 14th-18th April 2017).

Sponsored by Radisson Blu Sligo, 'The West', as it's known, has been won in the past by renowned golfers like Rory McIlroy (twice), Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington, and every year provides challenging test at many levels for the best amateur players from Ireland and abroad. This short film previews this year's event with some of the key contenders, last year's winner Jonathan Yates, Irish Close Champion Alex Gleeson and winner of the North of Ireland Championship Seán Flanagan. Tom Horkan, Captain of County Sligo Golf Club sets the scene ahead of the opening round. Produced by Sligo-based production company Omedia, camera by Peter Martin and edit by Micheál O Domhnaill. http://www.countysligogolfclub.ie

2400 KM route along the Irish Western seaboard "The Wild Atlantic Way"Many.The perfect mix for your golf trip. Tourism and Sport.

Padraig Harrington has won three Major Championships and that is 11 less than Tiger Woods.

Harringtons last Major victory, like Woods, was in 2008 when capturing the PGA Championship after Woods claimed a 14th Major months earlier that year at the U.S. Open.

This year then will mark 10-years since Woods last won a Major Championship and with some observers believing Woods, and now age 42, can still break Jack Nicklaus record of 18 Major victories.
But after chatting with Woods on at least two occasions this year, Harrington is of the opinion it should make no difference to Woods if he were to win 14, 18 or break 'The Golden Bear's' record in winning 19 Majors.
Source Article

​A leading Golf Magazine once described County Louth as being one of the best kept secrets of Irish golf, observing that it had to be one of the most enjoyable links in Ireland.  It went on to add “there is not a weak hole on the course and some of the holes merit greatness".
We know General Manager Liam Murphy and his team at County Louth work hard to get the name out there and in recent seasons we have noticed significant demand for its inclusion on an east coast of Ireland golf trip itinerary.
County Louth, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2017 is a joy to play and a fun club to visit.
The welcome is consistently warm without being overbearing.  There is a distinctly friendly atmosphere in and around the clubhouse as members engage with visitors, curious to learn about their home clubs and most importantly, the visitors’ impressions of their golf course. One such member is Des Smyth, a former tour player and Ryder Cup vice-captain ( when the tournament was staged at the K Club in 2006).
As for the course, which was designed by Tom Simpson , there are two loops of nine, with no two consecutive holes playing in the same direction apart from the 12th and 13th which run along the Irish sea.
From a logistics viewpoint, it’s location between the famous links at Royal County Down and Portmarnock, make County Louth very accessible for golfers starting or finishing their trips Dublin. The fact that they accommodate visitors on most Saturdays is also a plus, as visitor play is more often than not, restricted at most member courses on Saturdays.
Apart from being regarded as somewhat of a hidden gem of Irish golf courses, County Louth is the home of The East of Ireland Amateur Championship each June  as well as having been the venue for the Irish Open Championship in 2009. For the record, Ireland’s Shane Lowry lifted the trophy as an amateur!

Out with my two sons enjoying the winter sunshine