Northern Ireland welcomed some of the world’s best male and female golfers to its shores over the weekend for one of the most exciting events in the world of golf, the ISPS HANDA World Invitational, presented by AVIV Clinics. ITTN’s Paul Micheau was in attendance for the event.
18th Hole Hospitality
On the day ITTN’s Paul Micheau had the opportunity to visit the hospitality box on the 18th hole and sample some of the best gastronomy Northern Ireland has to offer.
Thousands of golf fans travelled to Ballymena’s magnificent Galgorm and Castlerock Golf Club’s superb links course to watch the top players from the DP World Tour, LPGA, and Ladies European Tour compete at both venues from Thursday through Sunday.
Tournament Champions
On Sunday, Daniel Brown from England and Alexa Pano, from the US, were named the champions of the tournament. Paul was fortunate enough to be able to pose for a photo with Daniel Brown at the event. This is Dan’s first time winning on the DP World Tour while 19-year-old golfing prodigy Alexa Pano won her first tournament of the year on the Ladies European Tour side of the draw. Over the course of four days, 144 men and 144 women competed in two tournaments at the tri-sanctioned ISPS Handa World Invitational.
Tourism Northern Ireland
Tourism Northern Ireland has been a proud sponsor of the event for the past three years and has worked closely with the organisers and sponsors on the organisation and promotion of the event. Paul had the pleasure of speaking to Fiona Cunnigham, ROI Market Manager, Tourism NI & Aine Kearney, Director of Events, Tourism NI who both shared how this event is a fantastic way to promote Northern Ireland as a tourism destination to a global audience.
Ellvena Graham, Chair of Tourism NI, congratulated all those involved in organising and staging the unique sporting occasion.
“Tournaments such as the ISPS HANDA World Invitational help strengthen Northern Ireland’s reputation for delivering high-profile international sporting events.
“It also allows us to showcase to the world the breadth and quality of the golfing experience visitors can have when they too come to play in Northern Ireland.”
“Tourism NI has been proud to sponsor this truly inclusive sporting occasion which brought together men, ladies and disabled golfers to play concurrent tournaments on two outstanding courses. I would like to congratulate the three winners and all those who made this event possible and the great success that it has been.”
