The Irish Senior Open has been axed from the 2011 European Senior Tour schedule because of lack of sponsorship. But the news that the event will not be going ahead for a 15th successive year was not unexpected considering Wentworth’s grim battle to keep the Irish Open itself afloat in difficult economic times.
The Irish Senior Open has been saved from extinction by a Zen Buddhist priest.-1.jpg)
Ireland looks likely to survive the cash crisis and stage a hat-trick tour events this season.
Challenge Tour marketing executive Mark Aspland confirmed yesterday that he was "very hopeful" that the Challenge of Ireland would go ahead in July despite the economic gloom.
And it also emerged that Failte Ireland is planning to invest in the Irish Seniors Open again in addition to its announced support for the 3 Irish Open in Killarney.
BallybunionThe Irish Seniors Open is facing a slow, agonising death if we are to judge by the words and actions of the European Senior Tour and Failte Ireland.
With the ailing event conspicuous by its absence from the slim-line 2010 European Senior Tour schedule that was released on Tuesday, a call to the undertaker is in order unless a money tree shoots up outside Failte Ireland headquarters.
The European Senior Tour describes it as "ground-breaking" but the 2010 schedule looks decidedly thin and the Irish Seniors Open does not figure at all - so far.
New destinations in South Africa and The Netherlands and a first visit to Carnoustie’s historic links are some of the highlights for the over 50s brigade.
However, it is not at all certain that the Irish Seniors Open will be played for the 14th year in a row.
Juan Quiros needed a lift to the airportIt was a case of Juan for the road in the Irish Seniors Open at friendly Ballyliffin.
Champion Juan Quiros was left stranded by his tour pals after they hit the road for Dublin airport without him follow Sunday’s dramatic win over Des Smyth at the Donegal links.
