Golfers at the IGTOA will enjoy scenic views in Westport, including Croagh Patrick

National golf tourism conference coming to westport

Westport will host a major national golf showcase this month. The Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA), in association with Mayo County Council and mayo.ie, will host its 17th national golf tourism conference and Irish Golf Awards in Westport from Saturday to Monday, October 18 to 20.

This event is the largest gathering of golf tourism industry professionals across the island of Ireland and each year attracts delegates from Scotland, Wales, the United Kingdom, Europe and North America. The event has developed to be a national showcase for the Irish golf tourism industry and for the region that hosts it each year.

Speaking about the launch of the conference, IGTOA chairman Denis Kane announced the confirmed venue for the 2014 IGTOA golf classic will be Westport Golf Club.

The chief executive of Mayo County Council, Peter Hynes, welcomed the conference to Westport. He commented: “Golf tourism is a vital component of our tourism industry here and it attracts many international golfers to play our world class links and parkland courses. This event allows us to showcase Mayo's excellent tourism product and for the wider golf tourism industry to experience first hand the wonderful golf we have on offer in Mayo along with the variety of accommodations, restaurants and the warm hospitality that we are renowned for.

“We look forward to welcoming the golf tourism industry to Westport and we wish the IGTOA every success in the staging of the forthcoming event in Westport.”

The Irish Golf Awards are the pinnacle of the overall conference, recognising the very best in the Irish golf industry, and will be hosted by international golf commentator and sports presenter Shane O’Donoghue.

Full details are available on igtoa.com.