Golf Ireland launches North, South, East and West of Ireland Women’s Championships
Lahinch Golf Club will host the first event with the South of Ireland Women's Championship. Picture courtesy Lahinch Golf Club.
The women’s amateur circuit in Ireland will see a substantial boost in 2026 with the launch of the North, South, East and West of Ireland Women’s Championships.
Golf Ireland will partner with four exciting venues in introducing this change, with the events running between April and the end of June to optimise their position within the women’s calendar.
The circuit will begin with the South of Ireland Women’s Championship (25-26 April) for the famed Vaughan Trophy, the sought-after prize traditionally awarded to the winner of the Lahinch Scratch Cup, with Lahinch partnering with Golf Ireland in a similar manner to that of the South of Ireland Men’s Championship.
Aideen Walsh is the reigning Bridgestone Women's Order of Merit champion. Photo: Laszlo Geczo / Inpho
“We are absolutely thrilled to host the inaugural South of Ireland Women’s Amateur Open Championship. While we take immense pride in the great history of the Lahinch Scratch Cup, this new structure marks an exciting new chapter for the Vaughan Trophy and women’s golf in Ireland. This new format will further elevate the stature of the competition and provide a wonderful stage for the very best in women’s amateur golf,” said Lahinch Lady Captain, Marjorie Ahern.
The June Bank Holiday will then see the West of Ireland Women’s Championship at the spectacular Darren Clarke design in Castle Dargan in Sligo (31 May-1 June).
From there the circuit moves to Woodbrook, where the East of Ireland Women’s Championship will be played in conjunction with the Woodbrook Scratch Cup on 12 and 13 June. Finally, the North of Ireland Championship will take place on 28 and 29 June at the prestigious Nick Faldo-designed Lough Erne.
“It’s going to be an absolute pleasure for us to host this in its opening year. The Faldo Course is going to prove a stern test for them, with water in play on 11 holes. It’s going to give them lots to think about and put all of their skills to the test,” said Lough Erne Director of Golf, Barry McCauley.
All four events will be count on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, and will consist of 54 holes of stroke play, with two rounds played on the first day, following which there will be a cut and a final round played on the second day.
These events will also become cornerstones of the Bridgestone Women’s Order of Merit, as well as a new Golf Ireland Women’s Ranking system, an initiative that will not only underscore the value of these events but also of the wider series of Women’s Scratch Cups that take place each year.
Golf Ireland Fixtures 2026
March
21-Mar, Carlow Scratch Cup (Women's), Carlow
26-Mar, Munster 9-Hole Schools Event, Doneraile & Cahir Park
29-Mar, Royal County Down Ladies Scratch Cup (Women’s), Royal Co. Down Ladies
30-Mar, Leinster U16 Boys Amateur Open Championship, Bunclody
April
1-Apr, West of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Qualifier, Co. Sligo
3-7 Apr, West of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Championship, Co. Sligo
6-7 Apr, G4D @ The West, Co. Sligo
8-9 Apr, Munster Women's O18 Junior Amateur Open Championship, Nenagh
9-Apr, Ulster U18 Boys & Girls' Close, Castlerock
12-Apr, Royal Portrush Zara Bolton & Ian Bamford Scratch Cup (Men's &Women's), Royal Portrush
17-19 Apr, Flogas Irish Boys' Amateur Open Championship, Malone
18-Apr, Cork Scratch Cup (Women’s), Cork
20-Apr, Leinster 9 Hole Schools Final, Castlewarden
25-26 Apr, South of Ireland Women's Amateur Open Championship, TBC
27-Apr, All-Ireland Irish Schools Finals, Lucan
May
1-3 May, Flogas Irish Girls' Amateur Open Championship, Corrstown
2-3 May, Munster Men's Amateur Open Strokeplay Championship, Cork
5-May, Connacht Boys & Girls U15 Schools 9 Hole Stableford Event, TBC
6-7 May, Leinster Senior Men's Amateur Open Championship, Royal Tara
6-May, Munster O50's Senior Women's Close, Bandon
7-May, Ulster Junior Schools Boys and Girls Stableford, Carrickfergus
7-10 May, Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship, Seapoint
11-May, North of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Qualifying Tournament, Galgorm Castle
12-May, Connacht Boys & Girls U16-19yrs Schools 9 Hole Stableford Event, TBC
13-15 May, North of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Championship, Royal Portrush
15-17 May, Flogas Irish Women’s Amateur Open Championship, Newlands
16-17 May, Kilkenny Scratch Cup 54 Hole (Men's), Kilkenny
18-19 May, Leinster Women's Duggan Cup, County Meath
20-22 May, Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Open Championship, Castlerock
23-May, Castletroy Scratch Cup (Women's), Castletroy
26-27 May, ISPS Handa Irish Close for Golfers with a Disability, Co. Meath
29 May - 31 May, East of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Championship, Co. Louth
31 May - 1 June, West of Ireland Women's Amateur Open Championship, Castle Dargan
June
4-5 Jun, Ulster Men's Mid-Amateur Championship, Portsalon
5-Jun, Munster R&A 9-Hole Challenge Regional Qualifier, Ross
5-6 Jun, Connacht Men's Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship, Galway
9-10 Jun, ISPS Handa Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability, Roganstown
12-13 Jun, East of Ireland Women's Amateur Open Championship, Woodbrook
15-Jun, Ulster R&A 9-Hole Challenge Regional Qualifier, Cushendall
15-Jun, Leinster R&A 9-Hole Challenge Regional Qualifier, Borris
16-17 Jun, Munster Senior Men's Open Championship (Over 50), Bandon
21-Jun, Ulster Men's Scratch Foursomes, Malone
22-Jun, Leinster Girls Trophy & Ria Kenny Trophy, Elm Park
22-Jun, Munster U16 Boys' Amateur Open Championship, West Waterford
24-26 Jun, Ulster U18 Boys' Amateur Open Championships, Kilkeel
28-29 Jun, North of Ireland Women's Amateur Open Championship, Lough Erne
29 Jun-1 Jul, Leinster Boys' U18 Open Championship, New Forest
July
1-Jul, Ulster U14 Boys' Open Championship, Portadown
1-2 Jul, Leinster Girls' U18 Open Championship - Garryhinch Cup, Black Bush
1-3 Jul, Irish Senior/Veterans' Men’s Close & Senior Women’s Open Amateur Championships, Dun Laoghaire
3-5 Jul, Arnold Palmer Cup, Tralee
6-Jul, Connacht U14 Boys' Open Championship, Athlone
6-7 Jul, Ulster Women's Peggy Nelson Trophy, Dunmurry
7-Jul, Ulster U16 Boys' Amateur Open Championship, Banbridge
7-11 Jul, European Women's Amateur Team Championships, Slieve Russell
8-10 Jul, Interprovincial Matches – Men’s & Women’s, Knightsbrook
8-10 Jul, Connacht U18 Boys' Open Championship, Carrick-on-Shannon
9-10 Jul, Connacht U18 Girls' Open Championship, Galway
10-Jul, R&A 9 Hole Challenge National Final, Royal Birkdale
13-14 Jul, Ulster Men's Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship, Hilton Templepatrick
15-16 Jul, Connacht O18 Women's Open Championships (6.5-20.0 HI), Ballinasloe
15-17 Jul, Munster U18 Boys' & Girls' Open Championship, Fermoy
18-Jul, Hermitage Scratch Cup (Men's and Women's), Hermitage
22-Jul, Connacht U18 Girls Net Stableford Open, Tuam
22-26 Jul, South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, Lahinch (Old Course)
27-28 Jul, Connacht Veteran Men's Amateur Open Championship (Over 60), TBC
28-31 Jul, AIG Irish Women’s & Girls' Amateur Close Championship, Enniscrone
29-31 Jul, Irish U14 & U16 Boys' Amateur Open Championships, Holywood
August
2-Aug, Ulster O18 Women's Handicap Competition, Ballyclare
2-3 Aug, Mullingar Scratch Trophy 54 Hole (Men's), Mullingar
4-Aug, Connacht U16 Boys' Open Championship, TBC
4-6 Aug, Home International Matches - Men's and Women's, Woodbrook
6-Aug, Munster U16 Girls Ryan Cup, Tipperary
6-7 Aug, Interprovincial Matches – U18 Boys & Girls, Skerries
7-8 Aug, Connacht Men's Mid-Amateur Open Championship, Bearna
9-Aug, Ulster Women's O18 Senior & Junior Amateur Open Championship, TBC
10-Aug, Ulster U18 Boys & U18 Girls Junior Captains Trophy, Rockmount
10-11 Aug, Ulster Veteran Men's Amateur Open Championship (Over 60), Portstewart (Riverside)
11-14 Aug, Irish Senior Men's & Women’s Amateur Close Championships, Enniscorthy
11-Aug, Connacht Boys & Girls Underage CLOSE Medals (U14, U16 & U18), Athenry
12-Aug, Munster Eileen Roughan Girls, Lahinch (Castle)
13-15 Aug, AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship, Portumna
21-Aug, Munster U14/16/18 Boys and Girls Close, Cahir Park
21-23 Aug, Irish Men's Mid-Amateur Open Championship, Castle Dargan
September
5-6 Sep, The Walker Cup, Lahinch
5-6 Sep, Dun Laoghaire Scratch Cup 54 Hole (Men's and Women's), Dun Laoghaire
8-Sep, Connacht Senior Women's Close Competition (Over 50s), Connemara
12-Sep, Ballybunion Scratch Cup (Women's), Ballybunion
15-Sep, Ulster Boys and Girls Post Primary Schools Nett Qualifier (North), Ballycastle
15-Sep, Ulster Boys and Girls Post Primary Schools Nett Qualifier (South), Carnalea
24-Sep, Ulster Boys and Girls Post Primary Schools Scratch Qualifier (North), Gracehill
24-Sep, Ulster Boys and Girls Post Primary Schools Scratch Qualifier (South), Spa
24-Sep, Connacht Boys Post Primary Schools NET Qualifier 2026/27 (Zone 1), TBC
24-Sep, Connacht Boys Post Primary Schools NET Qualifier 2026/27 (Zone 2), TBC
30-Sep, Munster Post Primary Boys and Girls Schools Scratch Qualifier 2026/27, Thurles
October
1-Oct, Connacht Boys Post Primary Schools Scratch Qualifier 2026/27, TBC
1-Oct, Connacht Girls Post Primary Schools Scratch & Net Qualifiers 2026/27, TBC
1-Oct, Munster Post Primary Boys and Girls Schools Scratch Qualifier 2026/27, Limerick
7-Oct, Munster Post Primary Boys and Girls Schools Scratch Qualifier 2026/27, Cahir Park
7-9 Oct, Irish Intervarsity Championship, Belmullet (Carne Links)
9-Oct, Munster Post Primary Boys and Girls Schools Scratch Qualifier 2026/27, Charleville
13-Oct, Leinster Senior Women's Close Competition (Over 50s), Woodenbridge
13-Oct, Munster O50's Senior Women's Close, Dooks
14-Oct, Munster Post Primary Boys and Girls Schools Scratch Qualifier 2026/27, Maine Valley
22-Oct, Ulster U19 Boys' and Girls' Scratch Schools, Kirkistown Castle
