Des Smyth, the former Ryder Cup and European Tour star, has been named as the joint tournament host of the 2023 Irish Legends at Seapoint Golf Links, alongside his fellow former Tour professional-turned-Irish golf business afficionado Roddy Carr.
Seapoint, located just north of Dublin, will play host to the major professional tournament from June 22-25, when many of golf’s greatest legends will descend upon the scenic coastal venue for the Legends Tour event.
Smyth, a local hero who co-designed and co-built Seapoint Golf Links in the early 1990s, has enjoyed a decorated career on the professional circuit.
He starred in two Ryder Cups, was an eight-time winner on the European Tour, and continues to hold a unique place in golf history as one of only two players to have won on the Tour in four separate decades, alongside Lee Westwood. He is also a five-time winner on the Legends Tour and a two-time winner on the PGA TOUR Champions.
Smyth will be joined as co-host by his close friend Carr, a former East of Ireland Champion and Irish international golfer who sunk the winning putt at the 1971 Walker Cup at St Andrews, before a decade playing professionally on the European Tour.
The Dubliner has since become a prominent figure in global golf business, managing Seve Ballesteros for a decade and representing Jack Nicklaus Design, developing golf courses around the world.
The Irish Legends returned to the over-50s Tour schedule in 2021 following an 11-year hiatus and has proven a huge success. European golf legend and winning 2018 Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn of Denmark emerged victorious in the 2021 Irish Legends while Welshman Philip Price – who famously beat Phil Mickelson in the singles on the way to Europe’s 2002 Ryder Cup triumph – claimed the title last year.
Speaking on his delight at the 2023 Legends Tour event coming to Seapoint Golf Links, Smyth said: “We’re immensely proud of the golf course we designed and built at Seapoint. The closing stretch of holes are set on some of the most beautiful links lands and I am sure it will challenge these great players. I look forward to welcoming and hosting friends old and new on the links in my home County.”
Roddy Carr commented: “Des and I are delighted to come together again to welcome the Legends Tour to the wonderful links at Seapoint. During my decade travelling with Des on the European Tour, he was one of the most popular of all in the locker room. He helped all the Irish lads coming through at the time, the likes of McGinley, Clarke, Harrington, teaching them the ropes and about life ‘on tour’. Des is a big part of the success Irish golf has had over the years.”
Speaking on behalf of Seapoint Golf Links, Marty Carr of Carr Golf, added: “It’s fantastic to have both Des and Roddy co-host this prestigious event. They have a rich European Tour history, and it will be wonderful to have them welcome legends of the game to Termonfeckin. It’s fitting we will play host on the adjacent links land to that my father JB and Roddy won the East of Ireland Championship 13 times between them. It’ll be a wonderful week for all at Seapoint Golf Links.”
Players competing in the 2023 Irish Legends will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the June 2023 event are now on sale, with once in a lifetime playing experiences also available. For more information, visit legendstour.com.