Flogas becomes title sponsor of Irish Junior Open Golf Series
Paul Ruegg, senior marketing executive, Flogas with event organizer and PGA professional Michael Gallagher at announcement of the Flogas Irish Junior Open Series
Flogas has been announced as the title sponsor of the Irish Junior Open Series for 2017 and 2018. Since its inception in 2015 by PGA Professional Michael Gallagher of Clandeboye Golf Club in Newtownards, Co. Down, the Series has grown to become the second largest of its kind in Europe, with 1,500 competitors between the ages of 8 and 19 expected this year. And, thanks to the support of the legendary golf champion, the winner of the Junior Golfer of the Year title will from now on be presented with the Gary Player Trophy.
Paul Ruegg, senior marketing executive for Flogas, said, “We’ve been involved in the Series from the start and are delighted to be the title sponsor for the next two years. It’s really growing in popularity and Michael Gallagher has certainly discovered a gap in the market for a nationwide event like this. Aside from its important role in developing young golfing talent, we particularly noticed enjoyed the energy and enthusiasm shown by all the young competitors.”
Michael Gallagher confirmed that there will be over €50,000 in goodie bags and prizes to be won in 2017 and Irish hopefuls will find themselves teeing off against competitors from the UK, Spain, Belgium, Dubai and the USA. The 2016 event also attracted enormous international media attention with television coverage from ESPN, BBC, ITV and UTV in addition to print coverage in Irish and other media.
Michael Gallagher said, “I am delighted to welcome Flogas as our title sponsor and I am so pleased and gratified at how the Series has captivated the attention of our young golfing talent. We’ve also been fortunate enough to receive great support from many well-known sports starts like Gary Player, Darren Clarke, Justin Rose, Sir Nick Faldo, Shane Warne, Ronan Keating, Paul O’Connell and Annika Sorenstam.“
The Series kicks off on 14th July and, aside from the four Provincial championships followed by the Finale on 21-23 August, it now boasts two additional events; the Masters Championship on 14/15 August and the Spanish Championship at the end of October.
The Series is open to male and female competitors aged between 6 and 18 years competing in different age categories. The Series is structured so as to allow younger entrants to compete successfully against older ones, as demonstrated by the success of 9 year old Sean Ryan from Warrenpoint Golf Club, who was crowned Junior Golfer of the Year in 2016.
Online entries and information on venues and dates at www.Irishjunioropen.com. Early booking is advisable as numbers are limited, and there is no prior qualifying to participate in any of the events.