The Irish PGA Championship is on the move after it was confirmed The European Club will not be hosting the event in 2010.
Michael McCumiskey, secretary of the PGA Irish Region, revealed talks were on-going with a number of other venues to succeed the Wicklow club which has staged the tournament for the last three years.
McCumiskey also remains hopeful that Padraig Harrington, who used the Irish Championship as a successful warm up for his Open and USPGA triumphs, may still compete in the 2010 event.
“We would like to thank Pat Ruddy and The European Club for their fantastic support of the event over the past three years and they undoubtedly played an important part in Padraig Harrington’s preparations for the Open Championship,” said McCumiskey.
“We have discussed with Padraig what his plans for 2010 are but his manager confirmed he will not be making any decisions until the end of the 2009 season.
“In the meantime we are talking to a number of golf courses with a view to staging the Irish PGA Championship next year and are considering all options in particular with regard to the financing and sponsorship of the event.”
The Irish PGA Championship is the Emerald Isle’s oldest professional golf tournament and dates back to 1907 and the event is peppered with great names who have all won the trophy during its history.
Legendary duo Christy O’Connor and Harry Bradshaw top the honours board having each claimed the title an impressive 10 times while Harrington and Des Smyth have each notched up six victories. Other winners include Paul McGinley, Eamonn Darcy and Darren Clarke.
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