Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell has announced that Northern Ireland golfer Gareth Maybin will play in this week’s 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation.
Maybin, from Ballyclare, will be joined by Simon Thornton, who began his career as an assistant club professional at Royal County Down, after both golfers secured sponsor’s invitations to play in the tournament, which has now sold out for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A limited number of tickets are still available for Thursday.
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The scene at Royal County Down with the Slieve Donard Hotel and Spa in the background where 80,000 golfing fans will be enjoying the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this week.[/caption]
Jonathan Bell said: “Despite losing their European Tour cards, Gareth and Simon were the highest ranked locally based golfers at the closing of the Irish Open entry deadline. They are both superb ambassadors for the sport, which is why it is fitting that, as tournament sponsors, my department through Tourism NI has been able to secure invitations for them to play in what promises to be an unmissable tournament.
“Gareth and Simon will join a who’s who of golfing greats led by world number one and four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, who is of course hosting the tournament on behalf of his charity. Northern Ireland’s other Major winners Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell will also tee off at Royal County Down, joining a field of many of golf’s most exciting names, including five of the world’s top 20 players and five former world number ones.
“The superb line-up, combined with the track record Northern Ireland has already established by hosting the record breaking 2012 Irish Open, has once again put the tournament on track to completely sell out.
“No wonder then, that this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is set to be one of the best, if not the best, ever. More than 80,000 spectators are expected to pack out one of our best golf courses and one of our most scenic seaside towns for the event, so it is more than fitting that Gareth and Simon can join our Major-winning champions and the star-studded field to compete in front of these crowds.
“I am sure the sponsor invitations will inspire Simon and Gareth to greater things in their careers. I will watch with tremendous interest to see how they do in the tournament and to find out who is crowned the winner on Sunday, 31 May.”
This year, an Open Fringe Festival will offer visitors and holidaymakers a packed schedule of events, entertainment and opportunities to experience the County Down region before, during and after the golfing action.
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