Sport

Slieve Russell venue for Irish championship

FOUR years after its opening, Slieve Russell is set to achieve a significant target

By DERMOT GILLEECE
Fri Jan 19 1996 - 00:00

FOUR years after its opening, Slieve Russell is set to achieve a significant target. The Paddy Merrigan designed course in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, is the venue for this year's Smurfit Irish Professional Championship on May 2nd 5th, when Philip Walton will be defending the title.

The event reaches another milestone in that its prize fund now exceeds six figures, making it the most valuable in the history of the PGA Irish Region. Indeed, a fund of £108,000 makes it the most valuable national closed event in Europe. And its popularity is reflected in the need of a pre qualifying tournament in April, for a fifth successive year.

The decision to stage last year's event at Belvoir Park, so returning to a Northern Ireland venue for the first time since 1974, happened to coincide with the paramilitary ceasefires. It was then envisaged that it would return to The K Club, before going North again in 1997. But the choice of Slieve Russell was prompted by a significant development last autumn.

"We felt it would not be possible to hold two important tournaments at The K Club in the same year," said Michael Smurfit, referring to his company's involvement as sponsors of the European Open, which will be held this season on September 26th-29th. "In the circumstances, we're delighted to be going to such a fine, alternative venue as Slieve Russell."

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Built by Cavan businessman Sean Quinn on a 300 acre site that includes a 150 bedroom hotel, the course measures 7,013 yards off the back tees and incorporates 50 acres of lakes. Indeed, water comes into play as early as the difficult, 434 yard second, and is also a dominant feature of the 11th (193 yards) and 16th (176).

Ernie Els returned from a month long lay off to shoot a seven under par 65 to open up a one shot lead in the opening round of the South African Open in Cape Town yesterday. Els demolished the middle of the Royal Cape course by playing the six holes between six and 11 in a remarkable seven under. Just one shot behind Els were Canadian Ian Leggatt and 20 year old Englishman David Howell.