Royal Portrush to hostKilleen House Trophy

The event - at the Dunluce links on Monday and Tuesday, April 14-15 is sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Coleraine Borough Council and Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

The Killeen House National Trophy was presented to the IGTOA back in 1996 by Michael & Geraldine Rosney, Proprietors of Killeen House Hotel in Killarney and has been won by golfers across the island of Ireland at the beginning of each golfing season.

The event is the largest social gathering of golf tourism industry professionals across the island of Ireland, it is supported each year by a host of key national and international companies and has never before been hosted in Northern Ireland. This event will bring to the Antrim Coast, the IGTOA – Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association and its member golf tour operators along with a host of delegates representing Ireland’s leading golf courses, golf resorts, 3,4 and 5 star hotels, transportation providers, visitor attractions and golf related companies from across the island of Ireland.

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said; “I commend the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association for bringing the 2014 Killeen House Trophy National Tournament to Royal Portrush Golf Club and Northern Ireland for the first time.”

Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor David Harding, added: “The golf industry is a significant economic generator for the north coast and I am able to promote three championship courses within the Borough, attracting visitors to come and experience what the area has to offer. The borough is no stranger to high profile events and I offer my congratulations to the IGTOA and I look forward to another great event in April.”

IGTOA Chairman Denis Kane said: Royal Portrush Golf Club is home to two spectacular courses, with incredible history and we are very proud to partner with Royal Portrush Golf Club on this event. We also look forward to experiencing the famous Strand Course at Portstewart Golf Club. This event is a great opportunity to showcase the wonderful golf tourism product on the Antrim Coast and we look forward to meeting our IGTOA colleagues in Portrush in April”.