Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

IGTOA News

2015 Gala Irish Golf Awards

IGTOA Golf Awards 2015

National Ireland Golf Industry honours Sir William Hastings at the 2015 ‘Gala Irish Golf Awards

Sir William Hastings, owner and chairman of the Hastings Hotels in the Northern Ireland was recognised for the pivotal role he has played in Irish Golf tourism at the 2015 “Gala Irish Golf Awards” by the national Irish golf tourism industry on Monday night at The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa Hotel, Newcastle, Co.Down.  Wishes of Congratulations came in to Sir William Hastings from Archbishop Robin Eames (Rtd), Sen. George Mitchell, and Rory McIlroy.

Sen. George Mitchell: “I’m pleased to join the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association and the many friends and supporter of Billy Hastings in this well-deserved tribute to Billy’s hospitality, his support for the economy and people of Northern Ireland, and his desire to be a good host to anyone who comes his way.”

Rory McIlroy: “Congratulations from me to Sir William Hastings on winning the Jerry Donworth Award for what he has done for tourism and golf travel in Ireland, very well deserved”

Archbishop Robin Eames (Rtd): “It is a great privilege and pleasure for me to add my congratulations with those of many others to Billy on this recognition of his worth, his leadership, and all he has done for the province. I’ve known him for many years and in my role as Archbishop and in his, as leader of the tourist trade in Northern Ireland, through the work of his hotels, it’s been my pleasure to see something of the success that he has gained. His integrity, his courage and his vision has taken us very far along the road of recognition as a province in the world.”

The 2015 “Gala Irish Golf Awards” was hosted by hosted by Northern Ireland media broadcaster and TV personality Gerry Kelly. The event was supported by the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Tourism NI, Royal County Down Golf Club and The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa as Title Sponsors and was attended by representatives from leading international golf and tourism organisations such as Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. This event was also supported by the European Tour, Hertz, John Deere, Waterford Crystal, Golf Digest Ireland and various companies in the Irish Golf Tourism industry.

A selection of leading Irish companies in the golf tourism industry received accolades on the night with winners in the hotel, golf course and golf resort categories.

The companies accepting awards on the night were as follows:

IGTOA 2015 Boutique Golf Hotel of the Year – Vaughan Lodge

IGTOA 2015 Parkland Golf Course of the Year – Galway Bay Golf & Country Club

IGTOA 2015 Large Golf Hotel of the Year – Killarney Park Hotel

IGTOA 2015 Golf Resort of the Year – The K Club

IGTOA 2015 Links Golf Course of the Year – Old Head Golf Club

IGTOA 2015 Golf Manager of the Year – Bert Mc Kay, Castlerock Golf Club.

IGTOA 2015 Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf – Sir William Hastings

The gala black tie event is part of the overall annual three day National Golf Tourism Conference and is the largest gathering in the Irish golf tourism industry. The event is held each year by the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA), an organisation that represents the National Irish Golf Tourism Industry and is pro-active in the promotion, growth and development of the Irish Golf Tourism domestically overseas.

Photo: IGTOA 2015 Jerry Donworth Outstanding contribution to Golf Winner – Sir William Hastings
Presented by James Finnigan, Commercial Director, PGA European Tour, Kyra Donworth, CEO  JD Golf Tours and David McCoy, Sales and Marketing Director Waterford Crystal to Sir William Hastings pictured on Monday 19th October in the Slieve Donard-Resort & Spa, Newcastle, Co Down – Picture credit JDM Photograph.

Share this news item