There was excitement in Monkstown as the Cork club was officially announced as the venue for the PGA Irish Championship.
With a history that dates back to 1907, a year before Monkstown was founded, the event is the centrepiece of the Irish PGA season and always attracts the best PGA professionals in Ireland as well as many touring professionals.
It’s the first time in nearly 30 years that the competition will take place in Cork.
Back in 1997 Paul McGinley won the championship when it was held at Fota Island. Despite carding a final round 74, McGinley finished ahead of John McHenry and David Higgins.
That win in Fota was the first of four Irish Championships for McGinley.
This will be just the fourth time the event will be played in Cork.
Prior to 1997, Cork Golf Club was the only host, staging the event in 1940 when Fred Daly was the winner, and again in 1963 when Christy O’Connor Snr won his fifth championship.
Monkstown’s selection as the host venue for the 2025 staging is a just reward for the work that has taken place in the club over the past three years.
Conor Dillon, PGA in Ireland Manager pictured at the launch of the 2025 Irish PGA Championship at Monkstown Golf Club with club officials Cian McNamara, Head Professional; Michael Doorley, Chairman; Gavin O’Neill, Captain; Martin Stewart, President; Rosemary O’Connor, Captain of the Ladies Club and David O’Sullivan, General Manager. Also included is Seamus McGrath, TD.
A new range, academy and short game areas was developed in 2022, and this was followed by a major course plan to rebunker the entire course. Over 2023 and 2024 the bunkers on the back nine were completely revamped.
Some were closed and other were moved, and all of the remaining bunkers had structural upgrades with the size, shape and construction rebuilt. Roscommon based designer Ken Kearney was and the man behind the design changes, and following positive feedback from members, the green light was given for the front nine.
The club in currently in the final stages of work on the front nine, and these will be opened for play early this summer.
In addition to the bunker programme, a number of teeing areas were rebuilt and an intensive sanding programme also took place to improve playability in winter and through the summer.
Last week Club Officers were joined by Conor Dillon from the PGA in Ireland as the event was officially launched.
The four days in August will start on Monday 4th with a pro-am, and that will be followed by three rounds of golf when the eventual winner will take home the prestigious title.
Speaking at the announcement, PGA in Ireland Manager, Conor Dillon said; “We are really looking forward to the championship in August and I’m sure everyone at Monkstown will be treated to a festival of golf and will make this an event to remember on the Elavon PGA in Ireland circuit.
“At the PGA we were very keen to bring the championship to Munster and Monkstown is an ideal venue for it.
” The upgrades and improvements have enhanced the club offering and with David O’Sullivan (General Manager) and Cian MacNamara (PGA Professional) as well as his assistants, Monkstown has one of the best PGA teams in the country.
“This event first took place at Royal Portrush Golf Club in 1907 and in 2025 we will see the 115th staging of the championship.
“It’s a hugely significant event with a who’s who of past winners, including such names as Christy O’Connor Snr and Harry Bradshaw who won it ten times each.
“Other names adorning the trophy are Padraig Harrington as well as Damien McGrane, Eamonn Darcy, Simon Thornton, Niall Kearney and David Higgins.”
Speaking on behalf of Monkstown, Chairman Michael Doorley commented: “We are delighted that this prestigious event is coming to Monkstown this year and we are looking forward to making it a memorable event for all concerned.
“In our initial discussions we all felt that this event was too exciting and too much of an opportunity for the club to miss out on and we have already started planning, selling pro-am teams and discussing ideas for the event.
“Here at Monkstown we are determined to make this one of the stand-out events on the 2025 PGA in Ireland circuit and we are sure we can help deliver on that promise for the players, Irish PGA region and also for our members and visitors who will come to watch the best PGA professionals in Ireland.”
