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IRELAND VOTED INTERNATIONAL GOLF DESTINATION OF THE YEAR 2004

240,000 international golfers enjoy Ireland's golfing product.

Ireland, which attracts over 240,000 golfers from across the world each year, has been voted International Golf Destination of the Year - 2004 by the members of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).

The Association's 145 members in 28 countries gave Ireland the highest
rating for:

• Customer satisfaction,
• Quality of golf courses and accommodation,
• Value for money,
• Professional conduct of suppliers,
• Support from the local tourism industry,
• Accessibility to tee times.

Top World and European ranked golfer Padraig Harrington says: "I'm not surprised at this latest recognition for Irish golf. I play all over the World and in my experience Ireland's whole golfing package in terms of choice and quality of courses, combined with that distinctive Irish welcome, is something special".

Ireland's nomination as International Golf Destination of the Year - 2004, reflects the significant investment that Ireland has made in the development and marketing of Ireland's golfing product in the past 10 years. This features Ireland being nominated to stage the Ryder Cup in 2006 at The K Club, near Dublin.

Ireland now attracts in the region of 240,000 golfing visitors annually, generating close to €200 million for the Irish exchequer. The breakdown of visitors into Ireland shows approximately 153,600 from the UK; 45,600 from the USA; 40,800 from Continental Europe and 6 per cent or 14,400 representing the Rest of the World.

A further measure of Ireland's high profile in golf is that in 2004, Fáilte Ireland will sponsor four major International tournaments:

• AIB Irish Seniors Open at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, June 4th - 6th
• Smurfit European Open at the K Club on July 1st - 4th
• Nissan Irish Open at Baltray, Co Louth July 22nd - 25th.
• WGC - American Express Championship at Mount Juliet on September
  30th - October 3rd.

Ireland has over 400 golf courses including one third of the world's links courses. For more information on Ireland's golfing product visit www.golf.ireland.ie.

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