Golf Ireland has today released its fixture list for 2021.
The pandemic has once again had an impact on the start of the season, but Golf Ireland’s plan is to adapt by starting the championship season no earlier than the end of May, with many events rescheduled for what is hoped to be a busy autumn period.
Several national championships have been moved from their traditional dates as part of this response – with the Irish Women’s and Girls’ Amateur Open Championships now set for 15th-17th October in Co Louth, the same weekend as the Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship, which will take place at The European Club.
Moving these championships also ensures they will now coincide with the Carey Cup Match against the Metropolitan Golf Association, which will take place in Carton House on 12-13 October. Fittingly in the inaugural year of Golf Ireland, this match will include mixed teams for the first time.
The AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship, originally scheduled for 8-12 May, will now take place on 13-15 August at Tullamore, while the Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Open Championship will be played at Donegal on 20-22 October.
The international dimension of many of Golf Ireland’s events is obviously dependent on the pandemic and its possible impact on international travel. Golf Ireland is closely monitoring this and will continue to consult with the relevant government departments and agencies in both jurisdictions with a view to plans for these events, and also for the staging of the European Women’s Team Championship, scheduled for Royal Co Down on 6-10 July.
At a regional level, several important fixtures will also assume new positions in the calendar, including the Munster Women’s and Girls’ Championships, the Munster Men’s Stroke Play, the Ulster Women’s and Girls’ Championships, and the West of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship, the latter moving from its traditional Easter date to the first weekend in September.
Meanwhile, the draws for inter-club competitions will be conducted by Golf Ireland’s four Regions over the next fortnight, and published later this month, with the intention of commencing no earlier than the middle of May, subject to public health restrictions.
This season’s inter-club competitions will see a return of the foursomes format to events that have traditionally been played in such a way, with special safety measures to be communicated to competitors in advance of the start of the competitions.
Online entry is expected to open before the end of March.
Click here for the full national and regional fixtures.
Our season schedule is live!
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the start of the season, but our plan is to adapt by starting the season no earlier than the end of May.”
MORE: https://t.co/8lMUcjAraL pic.twitter.com/uiBHWeYL2k
— Golf Ireland (@GolfIreland_) March 9, 2021
