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Former Irish Ryder Cup Stars Set For AIB Irish Seniors Open Contact European Tour Communications Division (April 1, 2003) - Ireland has always exerted influence on the history of The Ryder Cup Matches, right up to last September when Dubliner Paul McGinley holed the winning putt, and the prospect of watching former Irish Ryder Cup heroes Christy O'Connor Jnr and Eamonn Darcy in action is sure to attract large galleries to Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort on May 16-18, 2003, when it plays host to the seventh AIB Irish Seniors Open. It is the first time in the tournament's history that it has returned to the same venue, a fact marked by an increase in prize money by E20,000 to E330,000, and one which pays testament to both the excellence of the Robert Trent Jones Snr layout and the warm welcome received in County Limerick in 2002. Then Seiji Ebihara produced one of the most exciting finishes to the year to pip Denis Durnian and claim one of his three title victories on the way to topping the 2002 Seniors Tour Order of Merit. It was the second year in succession that Ebihara had won the AIB Irish Seniors Open and the good news for golf fans in the Emerald Isle is that the talented Japanese golfer will return in May to aim for a hat-trick. In the aftermath of victory, Ebihara ensured his place in Irish hearts when he donated O10,000 of his prize money to local children's charities, receiving almost as warm a reception as Joe McDermott did when he won the AIB Irish Seniors Open at Woodbrook Golf Club in 1998, still the only Irishman to win the title. O'Connor Jnr, forever remembered for his defeat of Fred Couples in The 1989 Ryder Cup Matches which helped Europe retain the trophy, finished in a tie for third behind Ebihara and Durnian last year and the big man from Galway, now the Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort host professional, would love to emulate McDermott this year and win on his 'home' patch. Darcy showed in his rookie Seniors season last year, with second place finishes in both the Bovis Lend Lease European Senior Masters at Woburn and the European Seniors Tour Championship in Portugal, that he is on the verge of success and like O'Connor Jnr, would like nothing better than to win on home soil. Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Seniors Tour, said: "We saw last year what a wonderful venue Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort is and what a superb tournament it presented - we have every reason to believe this year will be even better. "With more household names playing on the European Seniors Tour every year, the standard of play continues to improve and I am sure the spectators who come to this lovely part of Country Limerick will enjoy watching wonderful golf. "As always, we are indebted to many people who make this golf tournament possible and especially to our main sponsors AIB, Bord Failte and Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, whose unstinting support is much valued. "In addition we must also thank the other event sponsors and suppliers, Singland Motors, Newbridge Silverware, bmi, Cutter & Buck, Maverick Marketing Group, An Post, Dan Dooley Rent A Car, Cantec, Coca-Cola and Guinness, who will all play a significant part in what I am sure will be a very special week in the European Seniors Tour season." Billy Andrews, General Manager, AIB Bank, said: "AIB continues to build its association with golf in Ireland and our involvement now includes a number of significant events, including the European Open, the AIB Irish Amateur Open and in association with the GUI and ILGU the AIB Golf Club of the Year. We are also delighted to be a Proud Partner to The Ryder Cup 2006 in Ireland, and Official Bank to The 2004 Ryder Cup Matches." Chris Kane, Bord Failte General Manager, Corporate Relations and Services said: "We at Bord Failte are committed to on-going investment in the promotion of Ireland as a premier golf tourism destination. This year Ireland's excellent golfing product will continue to be showcased to the world through high profile tournaments such as the AIB Irish Seniors Open. This is just one of four prestigious tournaments that will together, serve to greatly enhance Ireland's reputation as the golfing Mecca of Europe." Tom Kane, owner of Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, said: "On behalf of the Kane family and the management and staff of Adare Manor, we are thrilled to welcome the AIB Irish Seniors Open back to our course for a second year. Having recently been named the Number One European Resort by the Conde Nast Reader's Choice Awards, we promise to live up to that standard of excellence and ensure a first class experience for all the players, sponsors and guests alike." |