INTERNATIONAL stars and world class golfers are heading to Limerick to participate in the fifth staging of the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am, which tees off on Monday, July 5 in the grandeur of Adare Manor.
Twelve of the world’s top 15 ranked players, including Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington, Erni Els and Rory McIlroy, as well as world number one Tiger Woods, will be joined by an illustrious list of global stars including lSamuel L Jackson, Michael Douglas and Hugh Grant along with popstars Westlife.
Summing up local enthusiasm for this major sporting event, Richard Butler, cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said the contribution the event brings to the region is immeasurable.
“There is no other sporting event like it in the country and it is the only opportunity most Irish people will have to see these world-class players in action”, he told the Limerick Post.
“The nearest to it is the British Open and most will never get there. The boost it brings not only to the economy but to local charities can’t be compared. The charities will tell you they could never raise the kind of money that the Pro-Am pump into them”.
On the last occasion of the Pro-Am, hosted by in excess of €30 million was raised for nominated charities in the Mid West region and it is expected that a similar figure will be achieved from this year’s event.
Mr McManus has confirmed that there have been more requests to play in this year’s tournament than spaces available.
The inaugural Pro-Am made its debut in 1990 and since then the star studded event has gone from strength to strength, putting Limerick on the map as a destination for the stars and drawing in thousands of spectators, with 30,000 fans expected next Monday and Tuesday, which will bring a significant and much needed boost to the economy.
A spokesperson confirms that the colours of Munster and Ireland will be dappled across the greenery of the Adare setting as spectators choose caps from one of eight different colours, representing Ireland and each of the counties in Munster, at a cost of €50 for entrance to both days of the event.
Bringing the tournament bang up to date, McManus wasted no time in introducing an iPhone application which is available free of charge to download, offering up to date information and previews of the event and once again promoting the region.
With a staggering €55 million raised for local charities since its inception and providing an immeasurable boost to the local economy, it is widely acknowledged that the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am has made an outstanding contribution to Limerick life and has portrayed a glowing image of the region around the world.
