One of the country's most exciting new venues is to play host to the 2000 AIB Irish Seniors Open, on May 12th-14th.
The event is moving from Mount Juliet to Tulfarris, a stunning layout designed by Patrick Merrigan on the banks of Poulaphuca Lake at Blessington.
On a 200-acre site, the owner, Jim Hayes, commissioned Merrigan to create "a championship-standard course which will be among the top five in the country". The extent to which the architect succeeded is certain to be appreciated by Europe's leading senior players.
An increased prize fund of £220,000 will offer a top prize of £36,600, which is 10 per cent up on last season. And leading attractions will be the defending champion John Morgan and the British Seniors Open champion, Christy O'Connor Jnr.
"Nature has been very generous to us at Tulfarris," said Merrigan. "Having been given one of the finest sites in Ireland, I would like to think that the finished article will stand alongside the best."