Donegal is set to welcome some of the world’s top golfers next year as Ballyliffin Golf Club is expected to be named as the host venue for the 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
The newly-revamped Glashedy Links, designed by Pat Ruddy, can be expected to test the top players on the European Tour.
Ballyliffin previously hosted the North West of Ireland Open back in 2002 and staged the Irish Seniors Open in 2008.
At some stage in the next few days, the European Tour committee are said to be making an announcement.
The Glashedy Links has been tweaked recently for tournament play with 200 yards added to the front nine.
The Ballyliffin club leased extra land and Ballyliffin General Manager said his team was keen to land the Irish Open, which has an affiliation with Rory McIlroy’s foundation.
Rory McIlroy playing the Glashedy Links
“If we get this, it will be massive for the region,” Farren told this week’s edition of Golf Week.
“There isn’t a lot going on here other than tourism. If we get it, we want to give it our best shot, and hopefully have a chance to get it back sometime.
“It would be the first time the Irish Open has been on the western seaboard, north of Ballybunion. That’s a major statement if it does come to Ballyliffin, to Donegal.”
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