The Irish Challenge takes place this week, from August 7-10 at Killeen Castle, with FREE tickets available for all four days in Co. Meath. Whether you’re there in person or following from home, here’s everything you need to know…
A new host venue
Killeen Castle makes its debut as a HotelPlanner Tour venue this week and does so with plenty of pedigree. In 2010 it played host to the Ladies Irish Open, with Swede Sophie Gustafson firing a closing 66 to make sure of a one stroke win. It returned in both 2011 and 2012 as the venue for the same event, with Norwegian Suzann Petersen and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew adding their name to the list of winners. Alongside hosting duties for the Ladies Irish Open in 2011, the Solheim Cup also took place on the Sir Jack Nicklaus designed layout, with Team Europe coming out on top. Tied at eight-all heading into the Sunday singles, Team Europe went 7-5 on the final day to regain the Cup for the first time since 2003.
Nicklaus design
The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course will provide a unique test for the 156-strong field this week. The course was constructed in 2008 and is one of only two courses in Ireland designed by the 18-time Major Championship winner, which he describes as ‘one of my proudest designs’. Measuring 7,700 yards from the back tees, the par-72 course it’s one of the longer ones to feature on the HotelPlanner Tour this year and is statistically one of the hardest courses in world golf. Typically, with any Nicklaus course, there are several strategically-placed hazards the players will need to avoid this week, with greenside bunkers prevalent throughout. Jack has sent a message for the players teeing it up this week, which you can watch above.
Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Trophy
The leading Irishman at the end of the week will earn both the Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Trophy and a spot in the 2025 Amgen Irish Open at The K Club. Four-time DP World Tour winner O’Connor is one of Ireland’s most beloved golfers and sadly passed away in 2016, when the Memorial Trophy was founded in his honour. Past recipients of the trophy include DP World Tour winners Tom McKibbin and Jonathan Caldwell, Dermot McElroy who has won the trophy on two occasions, Ruaidhri McGee, Connor O’Rourke, Cormac Sharvin and last year’s winner, Mark Power.
There are several Irishmen enjoying an impressive 2025 campaign on the Road to Mallorca that will be vying to add their name to that list, including the likes of Liam Nolan and Max Kennedy, who both currently reside inside the top 25 in the season-long Rankings.
HotelPlanner support
This week marks the fourth of six events on the 2025 Road to Mallorca where the winner will not only secure the trophy but also £10,000 worth of HotelPlanner vouchers. HotelPlanner were announced as Title Partner of the HotelPlanner Tour earlier this year, in a multi-year agreement which allows players to compete for a record prize fund this season. The £10,000 voucher is an addition to the €300,000 prize fund in Ireland this week.
