Councillor Willie Clarke Supports Bid For Major Newcastle Golf Conference and Awards

County Down is to see a major development its its progressive golfing scene.

Newcastle Sinn Fein Councillor Willie Clarke, Chairperson of the Newry Mourne and Down Council shadow Development Committee, has welcomed the decision of the committee to support the bid to bring the prestigious 18th National Golf Tourism Conference and 2015 Gala Irish Golf Awards to the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa & Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle on 17 – 19 October 2015.

[caption id="attachment_51842" align="alignleft" width="390"] A relaxed scene at Royal County Down with the Slieve Donard Hotel and Spa in the background and the Mountains of Mourne.[/caption]

Cllr Clarke said: “The 18th National Golf Tourism Conference & Gala Irish Golf Awards is scheduled to return to the North of Ireland In 2015/2016. This national three day event is the largest gathering of golf industry professionals across the island of Ireland.

“The shadow councils contribution to the £85.000 bid was £10.000 which will see an expected economic return of £50.000 from direct delegate spend to the Newcastle area. The “Gala Irish Golf Awards” is the highlight of the National Golf Tourism Conference, attended by 300 guests. As well as the direct economic spin off, there is a number of other benefits which include full destination marketing opportunities at the event and media profile in a number of golfing magazines.”

Cllr Clarke added: “Subject to ratification of the committee’s decision at the next Full Shadow Council meeting, an announcement can be made by Irish Golf Tour Operator Association ( IGTOA ) at their forthcoming event in October 2014, that Newcastle will be the 2015 host venue, in association with Newry, Mourne and Down shadow Council and NITB. As part of the proposal the “2015 IGTOA Golf Classic” will be hosted at the Royal County Down Golf Club, which is a prestigious National Irish Golf Tourism Industry Tournament which is staged each year at an IGTOA Industry Partner course close to the selected venue of the conference. This is a one day event played as part of the conference involving tour operators, media guests, event sponsors and sporting personalities from Ireland.

“This offers an unique opportunity to continue to showcase our district and all it has to offer and will result in future tourism visits to our area. It is very exciting to have this prestigious event coming to our area 5 months after the Irish Open 2015 in Newcastle, this event will be a further boost to tourism providers, restaurants, retail and bars in our area in the tourism off season.”

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