Tom McKibbin Named New Touring Professional for Galgorm

Landmark acquisitions and investment plans represent a major uplift and confidence in Northern Ireland’s hospitality and tourism industry

Galgorm Collection, Northern Ireland's premier luxury hospitality group, today Monday 11 November 2024, announced a landmark £50 million investment in the region’s hospitality and tourism sector following the acquisition of two of the region’s most iconic properties: Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena and Roe Park Resort in Limavady.

This combined spend, which includes acquisition costs and a multimillion-pound transformation plan for both properties, represents one of the region’s largest investments in Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector and underlines Galgorm Collection’s position as the leading provider of luxury hospitality in the region.

Galgorm Collection, which owns a suite of leading properties including the iconic Galgorm, The Rabbit Hotel and Retreat, and The Old Inn, acquired the historic, internationally renowned Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena and the four-star Roe Park Resort & Spa, set in in a magnificent countryside estate in Limavady, for a combined £28 million.

In addition to acquiring both properties, Galgorm Collection has committed an additional £22 million to enhance the properties and estates over the next five years, further enriching their local, national and international appeal.

Building on Galgorm Collection’s vision for exceptional luxury experiences, this investment promises to transform and confirm both properties as must-visit destinations.

At Roe Park Resort, guests will experience an enhanced family-friendly atmosphere, a new bespoke adult-only spa designed for ultimate relaxation, and continued improvements to its renowned golf offering. The developments will position Roe Park as a top destination for families, golf enthusiasts, and those seeking a luxurious escape.

Meanwhile, golf enthusiasts can look forward to significant developments at Galgorm Castle Estate, as its already impressive golf course is elevated with the bold ambition of becoming the top parkland course in Ireland. Detailed plans will be unveiled in the coming months, solidifying the Estate’s reputation as a premier destination for world class golfing experiences.

Colin Johnston, Managing Director of Galgorm Collection, said:

“We are delighted to welcome both Galgorm Castle Estate and Roe Park Resort to the Galgorm Collection family. These are two iconic properties with strong legacies, and we are committed to building on their successes. Our £22 million investment will further enhance their offerings, creating new opportunities for guests to enjoy unparalleled experiences.

“Most importantly, we are excited to welcome the dedicated teams from Galgorm Castle and Roe Park into our collection. Together, we will continue to drive innovation and excellence, shaping an exciting future for these renowned destinations.

“We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the people of Ballymena. As the home of our flagship property, Galgorm, Ballymena has been at the heart of our journey, and its support has been integral to our success. We look forward to continuing our commitment to this community as we grow Galgorm Collection and welcome these new properties into our family.”

Conor Murphy MLA, Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Economy, said:

“This significant £50 million investment by Galgorm Collection represents a major boost to the wider economy and local communities and will also help cement the north’s international tourism reputation. Galgorm Collection is already a key player in our hospitality offering and this investment demonstrates their commitment to the sector and is a vote of confidence in the tourism potential here for local and international visitors.

“The investment very much aligns with my economic plan of delivering good jobs and a regionally balanced economy where economic development is felt beyond our main urban centres. This kind of investment helps ensure that the benefits of tourism are felt across the north, supporting long-term growth and prosperity.”

John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI, added:

“These landmark acquisitions by Galgorm Collection represent a new and transformative milestone for Northern Ireland’s growing tourism industry. The significant investments planned for Roe Park Resort and Galgorm Castle Estate will greatly enhance Northern Ireland’s attractiveness to local, national, and international visitors, helping us drive tourism’s positive impact on the local and regional economy.

“By further developing these iconic destinations, Galgorm Collection is reinforcing Northern Ireland’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination, creating a lasting positive impact on our international brand and the guest experience.”

Christopher Brooke, Owner of Galgorm Castle, said:

“We are both delighted and saddened with today’s announcement - developing Galgorm Castle estate from a state of disrepair to a thriving development has been a life’s work. Securing its future was critical and we have now achieved this; it has been an honour and a privilege to have played a small part in Galgorm Castle’s rich history.

“We felt the time was right for the estate to further evolve and becoming part of a larger organisation will help achieve this. In particular, the Galgorm Collection team has the expertise to develop the Castle into something very special. We wish them well on the next phase of Galgorm Castle’s story.”

Speaking on behalf of the Roe Park Resort, Alan Wilton, Board Chairman said:

“Roe Park Resort holds a special place in our hearts, and we are extremely proud of the team and all that’s been achieved as we’ve grown and developed. The resort’s continued success is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our exceptional team. Their commitment to providing top-class service and excellent hospitality is the reason that our guests return to the resort time and again.

“After almost 30 years at the helm, we believe now is the right time to hand over the reins to new ownership, ensuring the resort is poised for the future. This transition marks a significant milestone for Roe Park Resort, and we are confident that this new ownership will bring fresh vision and drive continued growth.

“Galgorm Collection has an outstanding reputation in the hospitality industry, and we are confident that the resort will go from strength to strength under its ownership. We extend our sincere gratitude to those involved in the resort’s success over the last 30 years and wish the new owners the very best of luck as they embark on this exciting new venture. We would also like to thank CBRE who acted for us on the sale.”

Through this significant investment, Galgorm Collection reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation, and enhancing Northern Ireland’s standing as a world-class destination for both local and international visitors.

With exciting plans set to unfold over the coming years, this transformational investment will contribute to the continued growth of Northern Ireland’s tourism industry, benefiting both visitors and local communities.

Galgorm is pleased to announce the Academy at Northern Ireland’s premier tournament venue is now powered by Toptracer Range and available to use by golfers of all abilities. 

Most golfers will be familiar with Toptracer from televised global golf coverage. Toptracer technology is used on PGA Tour and DP Tour World coverage to track the shots of the game’s best players. Viewers will have seen it in use when world number one Rory McIlroy won this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour.

The Galgorm golfing experience just got even better as it becomes one of only a handful of venues in Northern Ireland that has Toptracer technology. “Toptracer is transforming the everyday driving range experience, where guests of all ages and ability can play a variety of fun and skill-based games. They can compete against friends, see their shot trace, and receive instant data on interactive game screens in the dedicated bays.

“We are delighted to partner with Toptracer and for Galgorm to become the latest Toptracer Range in this part of the world,” explains Ross Oliver, Director of Golf at Galgorm. “Toptracer technology brings the range experience to a whole new level and it’s great that we can roll it out here at Galgorm to complement the other top-class facilities we have on site.

“This really is a facility for golfers of all ability, and for non-golfers who perhaps want to try the game but have never been sure how to get started. At Galgorm, anyone can use the Toptracer Range; it’s a great option for warming up before your game or your group golf day, beginners can hit their first shots, while elite players can work on their game and get the data and feedback they require.”

The new Toptracer Range can also be enjoyed socially where friends can get together to play their favourite virtual courses. Toptracer is a great experience for families to spend a few fun hours before grabbing a bite to eat at Castle Kitchen + Bar or enjoying the newest clubhouse offering in the Barn. Similarly, hotel guests at the resort can now enjoy a new leisure activity as part of their stay.

Toptracer is the market leader in range technology and has over 750 installations globally, including renowned venues such as the Home of Golf at St Andrews Links. It is also the ‘Official Range Technology’ of the PGA of America. Toptracer technology has transformed the range experience and now golfers in Northern Ireland have a new facility they can use at Galgorm. Bays at the Toptracer Range at Galgorm are currently available on a first come, first served basis.

Galgorm is already recognised as Northern Ireland’s premier tournament venue. It is home to the ISPS HANDA World Invitational that will be played from August 17-20, 2023 as a $3 million tri-sanctioned event between the DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour

Galgorm is delighted to announce one of the world’s leading short game coaches Dave Pelz will set up his Scoring Game School at the Northern Ireland venue to serve as one of his main European coaching hubs.

Pelz is one of golf’s most well-known coaches who has dedicated a large part of his life to analysing the golf swing and paying particular attention to the short game. Through his Scoring Game School and team of dedicated coaches, he has helped thousands of golfers improve their game.

The American has worked with the very best in the game to complete beginners and every time believes he can improve a player’s short game. Pelz’s most recognisable student is Phil Mickelson and he worked with the lefthander as he won his six majors. Pelz says 11 of the professionals he has worked with over the years have won 18 majors between them.

“I can’t tell you how much we are looking forward to working with Galgorm, it really is very exciting,” said Pelz, who will offer one day clinics to three-day Scoring Game Schools at the Ballymena venue in 2023. 

“Galgorm has some of the best facilities in the country. It is a wonderful property and has so many great features that we can use for teaching The Scoring Game. The coaching team who visited Galgorm were very impressed with the entire setup. 

“We all know about the many tour events staged at Galgorm on the DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and other tours. They have the wonderful Castle championship course, teaching academy plus the ‘wee course’, a six-hole par three layout that will be great for our teaching.”

The author of the highly acclaimed Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible and Dave Pelz’s Putting Bible added: “We have specialised our coaching over the years. We love the game; we are all golfers and our family has been involved in the game for almost 50 years. We focus on the short game, wedges and putting. My background is in research. I used to be a research scientist working with NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center.”     

In the early days, Pelz was a player with designs of making it on tour. He won a scholarship to Indiana University at the same time a certain Jack Nicklaus attended Ohio State University. 

“My record against Jack was zero and 22 in direct competitions. I simply couldn’t beat the guy - nobody could,” said Pelz, who majored in physics. “I wanted to play golf for a living, tried to make it on tour but wasn’t good enough. As an analytical scientist, I set about trying to figure out why I wasn’t good enough. From that moment it’s been a 50-year journey of research and coaching in golf.” 

As the only Pelz Scoring Game School in Northern Ireland, there will be at least two qualified coaches for the bespoke residential teaching schools and clinics at Galgorm. The Pelz philosophy is that up to 68 per cent of golf shots for golfers of all ability occur inside 125 yards and on the putting green, the area of the game he refers to as ‘The Scoring Game’.

Scoring Game Schools identify mechanical issues in any swing before fixing them. From there, coaches can start to fine-tune, work on timing, rhythm and provide golfers with the tools they need to improve their short game - and ultimately lower their scores. A lifetime of experience will now be available exclusively at Galgorm in 2023.

“We are delighted to be working Dave Pelz and his team to bring a world class coaching product here to Northern Ireland,” said Gary Henry, Galgorm Castle Managing Director. “Over the years we have built up a wonderful and wide-ranging golf product and it is entirely fitting that such a respected name as Dave Pelz and his Scoring Game School now have an Irish home here at Galgorm.    

“Golfers of all ability from Ireland, the UK and elsewhere in Europe will have the chance to tap into the short game experience and expertise of the Dave Pelz method. In conjunction with the Dave Pelz team, we will be running residential clinics and schools from May 2023 and key dates are now available to book online at pelzgolf.com.”     

Galgorm is recognised as Northern Ireland’s leading tournament venue, hosting 15 professional events in the last decade, including the 2020 Irish Open on the DP World Tour. Galgorm is also home to the $3 million ISPS HANDA World Invitational - a tri-sanctioned event between the DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour – and the Northern Ireland Open.  

For more information on Galgorm, please visit

galgormcastle.com

The European Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour will join forces for another innovative mixed tournament at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management in Northern Ireland, hosted by Galgorm from July 28 – August 1, 2021.

The European Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour will join forces for another innovative mixed tournament at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management in Northern Ireland, hosted by Galgorm from July 28 – August 1, 2021.

The agreement heralds an exciting new chapter for the event, which has been elevated to European Tour status following a hugely successful inaugural edition on the European Challenge Tour in 2019. The 2021 event will continue to be played over two courses, Galgorm Castle and Massereene and will form part of the European Tour’s 2021 UK Swing, taking in tournaments in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England across July and August.

It will be the first time an event of this format is tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour in the northern hemisphere – following in the footsteps of the ISPS HANDA Vic Open in Australia which has the same format.

The ISPS HANDA World Invitational will attract a field of 288 players, 144 men and 144 women. The women’s field will be split equally between the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour. The $2.35 million purse will be split evenly, with men and women competing for two equal prize funds.

The tournament will count towards the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and carry Team Europe Ryder Cup points, while the women’s tournament will count towards the Race to the CME Globe for women on the LPGA Tour, the Race to Costa del Sol on the Ladies European Tour (LET) and Solheim Cup points for both Team Europe and Team USA.

ISPS HANDA Founder and Chairman, Dr Haruhisa Handa, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to continue our support as Title Sponsor of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational, an event which epitomises our belief in the Power of Sport to unite communities and break down barriers. To see the tournament grow to a European Tour and LPGA sanctioned event is a testament to the importance of providing equal playing opportunities for men and women. I am grateful to the dedication to this cause by all tournament partners; Modest! Golf, Galgorm, European Tour, LPGA and LET.”

Economy Minister Diane Dodds said: “The decision to bring the ISPS HANDA World Invitational back to Galgorm is another ringing endorsement for golf in Northern Ireland. It is wonderful to welcome this innovative tournament which will bring together the best that both the men’s and women’s games have to offer. Following the recent successes of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2019 and last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm, I have no doubt this event will further strengthen Northern Ireland’s reputation for delivering high-profile international competitions.

“It is my hope that the situation with Covid 19 restrictions will improve sufficiently to allow as many spectators as possible to attend the event. However, as the event will reach hundreds of millions of homes across the globe, I am delighted that once again Northern Ireland will get the opportunity to show the world that it is made for golf.”

Niall Horan, owner of Modest! Golf Management, said: “This is a key moment for professional golf in this part of the world, and with the help of ISPS HANDA along with both the LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and European Tour we have been able to take the ISPS HANDA World Invitational to a new level, which will without doubt reach new audiences around the world.

“The message behind the tournament perfectly aligns with Modest! Golf’s ethos of providing opportunities for all and ensuring golf is a game for everyone. These are vital messages which we plan to further develop with The R&A having recently announced our partnership with them.

“I have been attending European Tour events for as long as I can remember. To host a co-sanctioned LPGA Tour and European Tour event on the island of Ireland gives me so much pride and I cannot wait to return to the amazing Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort this summer, the perfect venue to host such a tournament.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “We are excited to once again work alongside ISPS HANDA and Modest! Golf Management, both of whom share our vision of driving golf further through innovation and inclusivity.

“We thank Dr Handa for his continued support of the European Tour, and also Niall Horan and Modest! Golf Management for their hard work and determination in helping elevate this event after building strong foundations on the Challenge Tour in 2019. Galgorm Castle was a hugely popular addition to our Race to Dubai schedule in 2020 and we are all looking forward to returning there in July.”

Michael Whan, LPGA Commissioner, said: “ISPS HANDA has long been a visionary in how sports can be an agent of change, and now we are excited to help them move to a whole new level and deliver a message of equality to fans in Northern Ireland with the ISPS HANDA World Invitational.

“To have the best women and men compete alongside each other at the same venue for the same purse, is exciting for fans and it showcases what is great about this global game.”

Alexandra Armas, LET Chief Executive Officer, added: “Our members are delighted to be playing in this ground-breaking tournament, which marks another significant development for the LPGA-LET joint venture, and I would like to thank all of the sponsors and organisers for their support of our vision and desire to elevate European women’s golf to new heights.

“We are committed to providing more playing opportunities for Europe’s most talented golfers to thrive and flourish and to enable them to reach the highest levels in golf. This tournament offers a unique platform which will no doubt raise the game and inspire more women and girls to take up the sport.”

John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI, said: “The ISPS HANDA World Invitational is an exciting opportunity that will deliver significant participant bed nights and positive media attention for Northern Ireland. The exposure will come at a critical time in our recovery, helping to rebuild our tourism economy and bolster consumer confidence. As demonstrated with golfing events last year we can still leverage opportunities for our destination with restrictions in place. Looking further ahead we are very eager to welcome spectators back when it is safe and appropriate to do so.”

A traditional 72-hole stroke play format will be in place with men and women competing at two venues, Galgorm Castle Golf Club and Massereene Golf Club, over the first two days before a halfway cut reduces the field to the top 60 professionals, including ties, in the men’s and women’s draws.

The third round will take place at Galgorm Castle before a further 54-hole cut takes place with the top 35 and ties from the men’s and women’s draws advancing to the final round on Sunday.

Fans can register their interest for tickets and be the first to receive updates by registering online at www.worldinvitational.golf or 

www.europeantour.com.

A new pro-only pre-qualifier event for men and women will take place ahead of the tournament in June with further details to follow, while Golf Ireland’s Ulster Stroke Play Championship will provide elite amateurs with the opportunity to qualify and compete in this ground-breaking event. Amateurs will be able to enter for the Ulster Strokeplay Championship through the Golf Ireland website.

With extensive live coverage via Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland plus international broadcasters globally, the ISPS HANDA World Invitational will enjoy a daily global audience in the region of 640 million, with a unique reach into Asia and North America due to the demand for LPGA coverage in these markets.

Tournament golf has been played at Galgorm for over a decade with the first Northern Ireland Open hosted at the Ballymena venue in 2010. Since then the tournament has evolved and grown every year to now become one of the most visible events in world golf. After last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, the 2021 ISPS HANDA World Invitational has an exciting new dimension as an LPGA Tour sanctioned event.

Players will once again compete at Massereene over the first two days. The Fred W. Hawtree designed parkland is one of Northern Ireland’s oldest venues dating back to 1895.

“We are delighted that our home-grown event has been elevated to this level and a special thank you must go to Tourism Northern Ireland, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, who have been ardent supporters of the event since its inception in 2010,” said Gary Henry, Tournament Promoter and Managing Director Galgorm Castle. “Thanks must also go to Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, Tourism Ireland, Sport NI and Golf Ireland for their continued support. I would like to make a special mention to the hundreds of volunteers who I’m sure will be thrilled and excited for what is to come in July, their ongoing support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.”

The ISPS HANDA World Invitational is now a key driver for the overall Golf Tourism Strategy within Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland. Through international sponsors and stakeholders and extensive global reach, the ISPS HANDA World Invitational is a unique opportunity to connect the NI business community with new networks around the world.