Golf:The "Lexus Race to Mount Juliet" is a brand new €50,000 initiative where the top 30 players on the Irish PGA circuit will compete for top honours at the former Irish Open and World Golf Championship venue in Kilkenny.
Today’s announcement is a welcome boost to the domestic circuit where the top 30 Irish PGA pros on the Irish order of merit will compete over 18 holes on Saturday, October 16th.
The tournament will be preceded by a €2,500 pro-am on the Friday and will carry a €30,000 prize fund plus a further bonus pool of €17,500 to be paid out to the top three - €10,000 to the winner, €5,000 to the runner up and €2,500 for third spot.
“The Lexus Race to Mount Juliet brings a whole new dimension to the PGA Irish Region Order of Merit and will create interest throughout the season,” said Michael McCumiskey, secretary PGA Irish Region.
Mount Juliet hosted the the Irish Open from 1993-95 where a trio of Ryder Cup captains triumphed - Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Sam Torrance.
It also hosted the American Express World Championship in 2002 won by Tiger Woods and two years later by Ernie Els.
“It is important to Mount Juliet that it continues to play an active role in promoting golf in Ireland and we are delighted to have this opportunity to work with the Irish PGA, hosting what is a very important initiative for them,” said Colin Donovan, general manager of Mount Juliet Estate.