Tourism Minister Arlene Foster attended Thursday’s launch at the nearby Galgorm Resort & Spa and said the staging of the tournament again this year would help “Northern Ireland’s position as a ‘must-play’ destination for golfers”.
“The visitors that will pack the Galgorm fairways in August will see golfing stars of the future and will enjoy a superbly well-run tournament in beautiful surroundings,” added the Minister.
“Golf tourism currently generates £14m each year for the local economy and its further development will be an important drive to meet ambitious targets which aim to grow tourism to a £1 billion industry by 2020.”
Wilson described last year’s event as the “best Challenge Tour event I have ever played” while Dougherty said that “the whole set-up and conditioning of the course was worthy of the European Tour”.
This year’s players will be battling for a £140,000 prize fund with £22,400 going to the winner.
This year’s tournament will also include a food festival which will aim to showcase the best of local produce while, once again, PGA tour professionals will be on site giving free golf lessons to children attending the event.
Local elite amateurs can book their berth at the Northern Ireland Open by winning the North of Ireland Strokeplay title at Galgorm on 24 June.
Ballymena man and Irish international Dermot McElroy did precisely that last year and went on to finish a superb tied ninth in the big event.
“Both the North of Ireland Strokeplay and especially the Northern Ireland Open are crucial events for the development of our young players,” added Galgorm Castle’s managing director Gary Henry.
“To stage a European Challenge Tour here in Northern Ireland is vitally important for our home players like former Walker Cup team-mates, Alan Dunbar and Paul Cutler.
“This event opens up so many doors and invites across European and allows players to build a playing schedule for the season.”