Now in its 27^th year the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) celebrated in style with its annual conference and Gala Awards at the Radisson Hotel & Spa in Sligo and the annual golf day at County Sligo Golf Club.

At the end of a long season for the Irish golf industry this conference brings product providers and sellers from all types of businesses, and from every region of Ireland who work with golf tourism, together for networking, planning and a little bit of fun in between.

The networking day is always well attended but this year was oversubscribed and there were presentations from Sporting Insights highlighting the over €93m in value IGTOA tour operator members bring in golf tourism to Ireland each year. Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland explained their golf strategies and overseas marketing activities and the conference finished with a presentation that spoke to the upcoming 2027 Ryder Cup, the plans being put in place and the value it can bring to the economy.

Golf is to the forefront in discussions and County Sligo Golf Club provided a tough challenge for those who took it on day two of the conference. Their struggles were well documented in photographs but they were made feel like very special visitors as they were transported to and from the course by helicopter courtesy of Executive Helicopters.

There was also a charitable element to the event this year with golfers afforded the opportunity to Play in Pink in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. There were those who took it to the max but everyone showed a flash of pink colour, bringing a fun element to the day with a special prize for the “Most Pink Team” and they raised over €2500 for the charity in the process.

Then there were the Gala Awards. These are much sought after and with over 200 people in attendance at the black-tie affair MC for the night Shane O’Donoghue led the applause and accolades for the various winners.

2024 Gala Irish Golf Awards Winners List

• The Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf: Leona Maguire
• Golf Manager of the Year:  Keith O’ Neill , Enniscrone Golf Club.
• Links Golf Course of the Year : Waterville Golf Course
• Parkland Golf Course of the Year: Killarney Golf and Fishing Club
• Boutique property of the Year: Vaughan Lodge, Lahinch
• Large Golf Hotel of the Year: The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
• Service Excellence Awards
  • Gerry Maguire, Carne Golf Course
  • Peter Murphy, Dott’s Bar, The Rose Hotel, Tralee
• Sustainability Awards
  • Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, Tralee
  • Royal Dublin Golf Club

Irish Golfer were delighted to be in attendance as Media Partner for the event.

Well done to everyone involved, with particular mention to the Radisson Hotel in Sligo, iNua Hotels, County Sligo Golf Club, Executive Helicopters, BEM Ireland and everyone else involved in sponsorship and organisation.

Roll on 2025 and the K Club in October!

Event Sponsors
The Radisson Hotel and Spa, Rosses Point, County Sligo Golf Club, Rosses Point, Sligo County Council and Sligo BID, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, Waterford, Executive Helicopters, Kinsale Spirits, Hertz, Wildan Sports & Turtleson, Eno WINE, Match Play Media and iDirect Productions, White Hag Beer, Sligo Oyster Experience, Aer Lingus, Ireland West Airport, The Buggyman and Media Partners Irish Golfer Magazine.

About the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA)
The Association established in 1996 has represented many of Ireland’s leading tour operators, resorts, hotels, courses, venues, transportation providers and other organisations that embody the national Irish golf tourism industry.

For further information please contact the event organisers BEM Ireland.
Phone: +353 (0) 91773 833   or
Barry Maye, CEO of IGTOA
Email: info@igtoa.com, , barry@igtoa.com
Web : www.igtoa.com

On behalf of the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association.