North West Ireland was named “European Golf Destination of the Year 2011” by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) at their annual Awards Ceremony in Valencia, Spain on Thursday, November 18th.
Around 350 international golf tour operators from 52 countries across the world voted and initially selected 20 European golfing regions before whittling down the competition to just six finalists for the awards ceremony including Fife in Scotland (which includes the world famous Old Course at St. Andrews), the Czech Republic, Tenerife, Murcia in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal, along with North West Ireland.
Over the past few years the world’s most high profile destinations have won the coveted title including Provence and Cote D’Azur, the Algarve, and Andalucia.
Those who have been lucky enough to visit the North West, are aware that the appeal of the area lies not only in the quality golf product, but in the value and quality of the accommodations, restaurants, lively bars, stunning scenery, value for money, and genuine hospitality.
It’s also had its fair share of famous visitors – Rory Mcllroy in his early years winning back to back West of Ireland Championships at County Sligo Golf Club, Tom Watson dropping in for a leisurely game with friends at Connemara, or Major Champion Graeme McDowell coming home to Royal Portrush.
