Galgorm Castle reveal details of EuroPro PGA event

The winner at Galgorm Castle will pick up £10,000

Further details about Galgorm Castle Golf Club's hosting of the inaugural Northern Ireland PGA EuroPro Open in June were released on Monday.

The EuroPro series is Europe's third-tier series behind the main tour and Challenge events and has provided the pro beginnings for many big name stars.

The first ever EuroPro event in Northern Ireland will take place from 22/25 June at the Ballymena venue.

There will be a £40,000 prize fund with £10,000 going to the winner.

The pro-am on 22 June will double as this year's George Best Foundation fund-raiser which will see a gala dinner taking place the nearby Galgorm Resort & Spa in the evening.

The foundation is raising funds for its many ongoing projects to help provide children with a better lifestyle through participation in sport.

The Galgorm Castle Northern Ireland PGA EuroPro Open will then begin in earnest on Wednesday 23rd with further rounds in the 54 hole event taking place on the Thursday and Friday.

As part of our vision for the future of Galgorm Castle we intend to hold major international golf events annually Galgorm Castle owner Christopher Brooke

Invariably, the EuroPro tour attracts players from all over the globe and hopefuls from South Africa, Australia, Europe as well as the UK and Ireland will be in the field.

In addition to coverage on Sky Sports, the event will also be featured on the Golf Channel in the US.

"Galgorm Castle is honoured and very excited to be hosting such a prestigious event," said Christopher Brooke from Galgorm Castle.

"As part of our vision for the future of Galgorm Castle we intend to hold major international golf events annually, helping to promote the greater Ballymena area and the Northern Ireland golf product."

There are 13 tournaments on the PGA Europro Tour this season with the Galgorm event occupying a key June date on the schedule.

The tour will culminate in the Tour Championship at Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus at the end of September.

Galgorm is arguably the most challenging course our tour players will encounter this season PGA EuroPro Tour operations manager Danny Nickless

"I am delighted that the PGA EuroPro Tour is heading to Northern Ireland and Galgorm Castle Golf Club," said Danny Nickless, Operations Manager, PGA EuroPro Tour.

"Northern Ireland is passionate about golf and Galgorm in Ballymena typifies the province's desire for the game.

"Galgorm is arguably the most challenging course our tour players will encounter this season."

Both the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Ballymena Borough Council are also supporting the event.

Events like this help to strengthen Northern Ireland as a top class golf destination and showcase the huge range of things to see and do here," said Alan Clarke, NITB chief executive.

"Golf tourism is very important, generating around £14 million for the local economy.

"To drive more growth it is essential that we provide unique and memorable experiences from the moment that golfers check in to their hotel, to the final meal at the clubhouse before they leave."

Ballymena mayor James Currie added:"We have planned an extensive programme of events in the borough throughout the summer and this is one of the most exciting which will attract golf fans from across Northern Ireland."

Prior to the Galgorm event, the EuroPro Tour will stop off at Castle Dargan Golf Club from 2/4 June.