Golf Ireland has rebranded the men’s and women’s orders of merit and created the Men’s and Women’s Bridgestone Tours.

They will comprise 10 men’s and 11 women’s events with the leading three players on the men’s tour and the top finisher on the women’s tour guaranteed places on Ireland’s Home Internationals teams. See criteria: golfireland.ie/team-selection)

The top-three players on the Men’s Bridgestone Tour at the end of the season will also be guaranteed their spots on the 2023 High Performance panel.

Golf Ireland’s Performance Director and National Coach Neil Manchip said: “The Men’s and Women’s Bridgestone Tours will offer opportunities this year for our players to represent their country on an international stage, and we look forward to travelling the country seeing our stars in action.”

Colm Conyngham, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Bridgestone Ireland said: “The continued presence of Irish golfers on the global stage in both men’s and women’s tours gives us all a strong motivation to continue to create the correct environment to help young amateur golfers to develop and prosper.”

Speaking at the launch, Carton House’s Marc Boucher said; “It’s great to have a broad variety of events around the country too. It’ll be a marathon and not a sprint this year, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Hermitage’s Kate Lanigan feels the creation of the Women's Bridgestone Tour will be crucial for the development of the women’s game in Ireland.

“It’s a great opportunity for us,” she said. “The season will all be about managing schedules in between the international events. The Women’s Bridgestone Tour will be very important for encouraging and keeping the girls playing in Ireland, and improving the quality of fields throughout the season.”

The Women’s Bridgestone Tour began last month, with Clandeboye’s Rebekah Gardner winning the Royal County Down Scratch Cup.

The Men’s Bridgestone Tour begins later this week with the West of Ireland Championship taking place at Co. Sligo Golf Club.

2022 Women’s Bridgestone Tour

1. 27 March: Royal County Down Scratch Cup (won by Rebekah Gardner)

2. 10 April: Royal Portrush Scratch Cup (won by Beth Coulter)

3. 13-14 April: Munster Women’s and Girls Open - Tralee

4. 22 April: Ulster Women’s Open Championship - Portstewart

5. 23 April: Lahinch Scratch Cup - Lahinch

6. 1 May: Hermitage Scratch Cup - Hermitage

7. 6-8 May: Flogas Irish Women’s Amateur Open - Co. Louth

8. 30-31 May: Ulster Men’s and Women’s Stroke Play - Belvoir Park

9. 11-14 June: AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close - Grange

10. 22-23 June: Connacht Women’s and Girls Open - Castle Dargan

11. 22-24 July: Leinster Women’s Championship - Bray
    

2022 Men’s Bridgestone Tour

1. 15-19 April: West of Ireland Championship - Co. Sligo

2. 30 April-1 May: Munster Men’s Stroke Play - Cork

3. 12-15 May: Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open - The Island

4. 30-31 May: Ulster Men’s and Women’s Stroke Play - Belvoir Park

5. 4-6 June: East of Ireland Championship - Co. Louth

6. 11-12 June: Connacht Men’s Stroke Play - Portumna

7. 13-15 July: North of Ireland Championship - Royal Portrush

8. 20-24 July: South of Ireland Championship - Lahinch

9. 31 July-1 August: Mullingar Scratch Cup - Mullingar

10. 13-17 August: AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close - Headfort