The "Hidden Ireland" of the midlands is about to be opened up to an influx of overseas visitors with the staging in April next of the first "Midlands Masters" golf competition. Thousands of Irish golfers are familiar with the courses in Mullingar, Tullamore, Esker Hills and Glasson, courses which are to host the competition for amateur golfers.
The four-day singles stableford tournament will be played on April 14th-17th at the four courses. The Midland Masters is the creation of Mulligan Golf Tours, a company based in Tinahely, Co Wicklow. Its main operation involves enticing golfing tourists from abroad.
"Most places in the country have already such classics. There is one in the north-east and the Black Bush Classic in the North but until now there has not been one for the midlands golf courses," said Mr Warren Furlong, one of the company's directors.
"We looked around the country and we found there were fabulous courses in the midlands but there was no block of quality hotel accommodation for those taking part," he said.
"Recently that has been resolved and there is now high-quality accommodation for those who want to take part and we went ahead with it."
Mr Furlong said the quality of the four courses was already well established. Glasson, overlooking Lough Ree, was a firm favourite with visitors.
Tullamore, one of Ireland's oldest courses at 110 years old, has majestic features including parkland and old oak trees which are not generally seen on most courses.
The Mullingar club, which hosts the Mullingar Scratch Cup, is well known to Irish and overseas golfers with its open parkland and tricky second hole.
Finally, he said, the visitors will experience Ireland's most talked about new club, Esker Hills, which was designed by Christy O'Connor jnr and is a great test for any golfer.
Mr Furlong said there has been tremendous interest, especially from the UK, and 240 competitors will take part. The prize fund will be £4,000.