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European Tour heading
to Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is poised to stage a European Tour golf event, it was revealed
on Thursday.
Officials from the Northern Ireland Events Company are on the verge of sealing
a deal bringing the first main PGA European tour event to the Province.
Chief Executive John Walker hopes a final announcement will be made early in
the new year.
"We have been working for a long time to bring a major PGA European tour
event with all of Europe's top golfers," said Walker.
"This is one we hope to finalise within the month.
"It's all part of the strategy that's building on the resources we have
with two of the best courses in the world," he said.
We are absolutely certain we can bring world class events to Northern Ireland
NI Events chief John Walker
If the deal goes ahead it is hoped that the event will begin in 2003 and would
continue for a number of years.
The company, which is heavily involved in the staging of the Senior British
Open, is also aiming to bring the veterans equivalent of the Ryder Cup to Northern
Ireland.
"The UBS Warberg Cup is the US v the Rest of the World," said Walker.
"It was run very successfully for the first time in America recently and
we are bidding to bring it to Northern Ireland in 2004/5," said Mr Walker.
Appearing before the Stormont Culture Arts and Leisure Committee on Thursday,
he said the aim was to attract up to six major international events a year to
Northern Ireland.
"We are absolutely certain we can bring world-class events to Northern
Ireland but we know we have to plan well ahead".
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