Major golf tournament coming to Carton House with 'Athlete Village' in Maynooth

The World Amateur Team Championships is coming to Ireland for the first time next month - to  Carton House hotel and golf resort. The Championships run from 26 August-8 September while the town of Maynooth will be transformed into a golfing hub for two weeks with 10,000 spectators plus 1,000 players and officials attending. The first shots will be struck on Wednesday 29 August when the women’s teams begin the battle for the Espirito Santo Trophy. Republic of Korea are defending champions following their victory in Mexico two years ago but Ireland will present a strong home challenge having finished third in 2016 to take the bronze medal for the first time. Ireland’s chances of another successful championship are enhanced by the presence of Olivia Mehaffey in this year’s side. Mehaffey played alongside Leona Maguire and Annabel Wilson in 2016. Not only will fans get to see the best players in the world right now but they are sure to witness future stars of the game in action during the two weeks of competition at Carton House.   The first round of the Eisenhower Trophy begins on Wednesday 5 September and notable past players include Jack Nicklaus (1960), Phil Mickelson (1990), Tiger Woods (1994), Sergio Garcia (1996 & 1998), Rory McIlroy (2006), Rickie Fowler (2008), Justin Thomas (2012), Jon Rahm (2014) and Paul Dunne (2014). Hosted by the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union, teams from 72 countries will stay in Maynooth during the World Amateur Team Championships, the majority of whom are residing at a special ‘Athlete Village’ style campus in Maynooth University. Players will be tested on the world-famous O’Meara and Montgomerie courses at Carton. The Championships together represent an international festival of golf, during which time a Championship Gala Dinner for all participants will be staged at Maynooth University and the Biennial Meeting of the International Golf Federation will be held in Carton House on Monday 3 September. Mark Wehrly, Championship Manager for the GUI said: “The World Amateur Team Championships coming to Ireland is a landmark moment for Irish golf. This is the first time that the event has been hosted in Ireland or the UK. Teams from 72 countries are competing, bringing together the world’s best amateur golfers in Ireland. This is a rare treat for golf fans.” Sandra Barnett, Tournament Manager for the ILGU said: “This is the largest amateur event to be hosted in Ireland in the last 125 years. Golf events are always well supported by the public in this country and more than 10,000 spectators are expected to attend.” Tickets for the events are free of charge but those wishing to attend are asked to register for them in advance at www.watc2018.ie