Tournaments Open to Visiting Golfers

The Black Bush Causeway Coast Open is the premier tournament for amateurs playing off their handicap in Ireland. But it is by no means the only one. In recent years, several other competitions open to amateur golfers for a modest entry fee have been established. Unless otherwise stated, these tournaments are geared toward men only. You must produce acceptable proof of handicap to enter one of them. We have not played in most of these tournaments, so before you decide to plan a holiday around one of them, we would advise you to look into the details as much as possible.

Black Bush Causeway Coast Open

• Courses: Portstewart, Castlerock, Ballycastle, Royal Portrush (Valley course)
• Dates: first week of June
• Format: 72-hole Stableford competition for teams of three. Individual and daily prizes. Maximum handicap is 18.
• Contact: John Dalzell, 155 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, Northern Ireland (01265) 832417; fax: (01265) 52174

Heart of Down Golf Tournament

• Courses: Ardglass, Spa, Downpatrick, Royal County Down
• Dates: early September
• Format: 54-hole Stableford competition, with the top 100 competitors from outside Northern Ireland playing a fourth round at Royal County Down. There is also a 36-hole women's tournament, with a percentage of golfers playing a third round at Royal County Down. Maximum handicaps are men -- 20 and women -- 30.
• Contact: Down District Council, 74 Market St., Downpatrick, Co. Down BT30 6LZ, tel: (01396) 612233; fax: (01396) 612350; e-mail: bcoburn@downdc.gov.uk

Donegal Links Classic

• Courses: Rosapenna, Portsalon, Ballyliffin (Glashedy)
• Dates: first week in May
• Format: 54-hole Stableford competition for teams of four over three of Ireland's most charming links. Daily, individual and team prizes. One practice round in also included. Women are welcome.
• Contact: Sean McCormack, Portsalon Golf Club, Portsalon, Fanad, Co. Donegal (074) 59459

West Coast Challenge

• Courses: County Sligo, Strandhill, Bundoran, Donegal
• Dates: first week of September
• Format: 72-hole Stableford competition for teams of three. Daily, individual and team prizes. Maximum handicap is 22.
• Contact: Liam McDevitt, Bundoran Golf Club, Bundoran, Co. Donegal (072) 42014/51161

Atlantic Golf Classic

• Courses: Galway, Galway Bay, Oughterard, Athenry
• Dates: first week of May
• Format: 72-hole Stableford competition for teams of four. Women welcome. Separate overseas category. Maximums handicaps are men -- 20 and women -- 28.
• Contact: Frank Burke, c/o Rehab Group, Parkmore Industrial Estate, Galway (091) 751397

Celtic Inishowen Mixed Pairs

• Courses: Ballyliffin Old, Ballyliffin Glashedy, North West
• Dates: mid-June
• Format: four day tournament for couples, with 36-hole mixed pairs championship, 18-hole men's and ladies' singles and 18-hole mixed scramble. Maximum handicaps are men -- 24 and ladies -- 36.
• Contact: Eugene Corrigan, East Coast Golf, 6 College Rise, Drogheda, Co. Louth (041) 32881

East Coast Classic

• Courses: Seapoint, Laytown & Bettystown, Dundalk, Headfort
• Dates: early May
• Format: 72-hole Stableford competition for teams of four. Daily, individual and team prizes. Maximum handicap is 22.
• Contact: Eugene Corrigan, East Coast Golf, 6 College Rise, Drogheda, Co. Louth (041) 32881

Murphy's Irish Stout Dunmore East Waterford Golf Classic

• Courses: Waterford, Waterford Castle, Tramore, Faithlegg
• Dates: first week in May
• Format: 72-hole Stableford competition for teams of four. Daily prizes, including Waterford crystal. Women welcome. Maximum handicaps are men -- 22 and women -- 28.
• Contact: Charlie Boland, Candlelight Inn, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford (051) 383215; fax: (051) 383289

Carlsberg Tramore Golf Classic

• Courses: Waterford, Waterford Castle, Tramore, Faithlegg
• Dates: late September
• Format: 72-hole Stableford competition for teams of four. Daily and individual prizes of Waterford crystal. Began in 1995 as autumn complement to the successful Murphy's tournament. Women welcome. Maximum handicaps are men -- 24 and women -- 36.
• Contact: Michael Bowe, Irish Golf Tours Limited, 34 Sweetbriar Lawn, Tramore, Co. Waterford (051) 381728; fax: (051) 381961

Autumn Leaves Golf Classic

• Courses: Waterford, Tramore, Faithlegg
• Dates: mid-September
• Format: 54-hole better-ball Stableford competition for teams of two. Players must be 50 years of age or older. Daily prizes. Women welcome. Maximum handicaps are men -- 24 and women -- 36.
• Contact: Charlie Boland, Candlelight Inn, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford (051) 383215; fax: (051) 383289

South East Classic

• Courses: Rosslare, St. Helen's Bay, Wexford, Enniscorthy
• Dates: early October
• Format: 72-hole Stableford competition for teams of four. Daily, individual and team prizes. Maximum handicap is 22.
• Contact: Eugene Corrigan, East Coast Golf, 6 College Rise, Drogheda, Co. Louth (041) 32881

Orchard County Golf Classic

• Courses: Co. Armagh, Tandragee, Portadown, Lurgan
• Dates: second week of June
• Format: 72-hole Stableford competition for teams of four. Daily, individual and team prizes. One-day ladies' competition.
• Contact: Phil Posnett, CPPM Golf, Cleek Cottage, 9 Jericho Road, Kilyleagh, Co. Down, BT30 9TE (01396) 828686

World Invitational Father & Son Event

• Course: Waterville
• Dates: end of August
• Format: 54-hole Stableford competition for teams consisting of father and son.
• Contact: Marty Carr, Carr Golf & Corporate Travel, 30 Upper Abbey St., Dublin 1 tel: (01) 873-4244; fax: (01) 873-4091; e-mail: carrgolf@indigo.ie

Kerry Mental Handicap Golf Classic

• Course: Killarney (Mahony's Point)
• Date: third Friday in September
• Format: Popular charity tournament with strong overseas entries featuring clinic and prize-giving by Ken Venturi. 18-hole Stableford competition for teams of four. Women welcome. Maximum handicaps are men -- 21 and women -- 28.
• Contact: Tony Darmody, KPFMH, Old Monastery, Killarney, Co. Kerry tel: (064) 32742; fax: (064) 33370

Irish-American Partnership Heritage Cup

• Courses: Ballybunion, Waterville, Lahinch
• Date: April to September
• Format: Two-stage best-ball competition. Victorious foursome from each of 12 one-day charity tournaments in the United States wins free trip to Ireland to play 54-hole final for the Heritage Cup in September. Proceeds to job creation and education projects of the Irish-American Partnerhip, a non-profit organization established by the Irish Parliament. Maximum handicaps are men -- 24 and women -- 28.
• Contact: Irish-American Partnership, 33 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02109 U.S.A. (800) 722-3893.