Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley is set to compete at Seapoint Golf Links this summer as the Irishman leads a star-studded line-up for the 2023 Irish Legends.
Taking place between June 23-25, Seapoint Golf Links – a rising star in the ranks of Irish links courses and located on the east coast, just an hour north of Dublin – will welcome greats of the game as former Ryder Cup and DP World Tour player Des Smyth and fellow former Tour professional Roddy Carr co-host the event, the first major international professional tournament to be held at the course.
Four-time DP World Tour winner McGinley, who led Europe to victory at the 2014 Ryder Cup, will be returning to his homeland as he plays in an event he hosted in both 2021 and 2022. The Irishman made three consecutive Ryder Cup appearances between 2002 and 2006 – during Europe’s most successful run in the biennial contest where they won three times in a row – and is memorably remembered for holing a 10ft putt in the 2002 Ryder Cup at The Belfry to secure the half point Europe needed for victory.
McGinley said: “It’s always special to be back playing golf in Ireland. After hosting this tournament alongside my foundation for the past two years at Rosapenna, I’m really looking forward to focusing on playing in this spectacular event.
“I am really looking forward to returning to Seapoint Golf Links this June – a course I first played back in the early nineties at the Irish International Matchplay, sadly beaten in the final in 1995 by my good friend and host this year, Des Smyth.
“The event is growing every year and this year is going to be huge, so be sure to grab your tickets early!”
Co-designed by tournament co-host Des Smyth in the early nineties, Seapoint Golf Links measures over 7,100 yards and dives across largely unspoilt, rugged links land. One of the most quintessential links courses on the east coast of Ireland, the course overlooks the Irish Sea and the Morne Mountains and provides a challenge to golfers of all abilities.
Roddy Carr, host of the Irish Legends at Seapoint and a close friend of McGinley’s, said: “The McGinley and Carr families have been friends for many years. Paul’s work to bring the Legends Tour to Ireland in 2021 is appreciated by golf fans across the country and we’re delighted he will be joining us to compete at Seapoint Golf Link this summer.”
“Having brought the event back to his native Donegal, we are very excited to take on and continue the great work Paul has invested in this historic championship over the last few years.”
Tickets are now on sale with an early booking discount of 25 per cent until March 31, with ticket prices starting from €7.50. The Irish Legends at Seapoint Golf Links will also host both Alliance Series and Celebrity Series events.
Since its inception, the Alliance Series has been a universal success. The format provides an exclusive opportunity to live the life of a golf legend as everyday players play alongside two professionals in a team event format, as well as an individual tournament against other Alliance competitors, in front of crowds and TV cameras.
The Celebrity Series also offers amateurs the chance to play with a golf legend and a star-studded field of stars from the world of sport and entertainment in front of crowds during a pro-am experience.
As part of the Alliance Series (€10,000 per person) event at Seapoint Golf Links, participants will receive two rounds alongside the Legends Tour players, with the top 15 playing the Championship Sunday prior to the professionals. Amateurs will also receive a spot in the Celebrity Series (€2,500 per person) and will be given four nights’ accommodation at the four-star D-Hotel in Drogheda.
The 2022 Irish Legends, hosted by McGinley, took place at Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort as Phillip Price – a teammate of the Irishman’s at the 2002 Ryder Cup – claimed a one-shot victory.
Phil Harrison, chief executive of the Legends Tour, said: “Seapoint Golf Links is a rising star in the ranks of Irish links courses and we are delighted to bring the first major international professional event to this great course.
“We cannot wait to welcome Paul McGinley and a whole host of other legendary players for the event and hope to see as many of you as possible turning out for what will surely be a great week of golf.”
The upcoming Legends Tour season promises to be the biggest since its rebranding in 2020, with larger fields, record-breaking prize funds and new venues hosting major events like Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen.
There is still availability to watch the Legends in action with tickets still available to purchase via the link below:
CLICK HERE for tickets.