Des Smyth will lead a large field of Irish players this week in the Handa Irish Seniors Open presented by Fáilte Ireland at Carton House where he will be joined by Eamonn Darcy, Jimmy Heggarty, Liam Higgins, Denis O’Sullivan, Eoin Feely, Christy O’ Connor Jnr, Peter O’Hagan and Eddie Polland.
The 2006 Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam will get his first opportunity to defend a European Senior Tour when he returns to action in Ireland 12 months after he produced one of the most remarkable final day displays of last season at Ballybunion Golf Club last year - coming from six shots back to tie with Bob Boyd on two under par 211 – to defeat the American on the third extra play off hole.
Woosnam will be hoping his record on Irish soil continues, having won back-to-back Irish Open titles on The European Tour in 1988 and 1989 – and then leading Europe to Ryder Cup glory at The K Club in 2006.
He is also an ambassador for new title sponsors, International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS) and its Chairman Dr Haruhisa Handa, as is another former Ryder Cup Captain, Sam Torrance, who won the Irish Seniors Open in 2006.
Both former Captains will take on the Montgomerie Course at Carton House, designed by the 2010 Ryder Cup Captain, Colin Montgomerie.
Three of the support team from The K Club in 2006 join the action this week- Assistant Captains Sandy Lyle and D J Russell – along with Des Smyth.
Carl Mason, the 2004 Irish Seniors Open Champion, could become the first player to pass the €2million mark in career earnings on the Senior Tour, needing to win just €2,718 at Carton House to achieve that feat.
Mason, who could also created another piece of history by matching Tommy Horton’s record of 23 Senior Tour titles, is in good form after finishing joint runner up with Bobby Lincoln behind Brand Jnr in Jersey last weekend.
The Spanish Armada also arrive in Maynooth – albeit less Seve Ballesteros – with Antonio Garrido, Manuel Piñero, Jose Rivero and 2008 Seniors Winner, Juan Quiros, all down for action.
Former Ryder Cup player, Constantino Rocca of Italy, is also a previous winner in Ireland having taken the AIB Irish Seniors Title at Palmerstown House in 2007.
New Zealander, Simon Owen, is also competing this week. Twice a winner on The European Tour in the 1974 German Open and the 1976 Double Diamond Stroke Play, Owen is best remembered for finishing second behind Jack Nicklaus in the 1978 Open Championship at St Andrews.
Kevin Spurgeon, son of former Ajax FC coach Keith Spurgeon, arrives with one victory already this season under his belt having won the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open last December.
The Handa Irish Seniors Open presented by Fáilte Ireland will tee of on June 11th with a total prize fund on offer of €250,000.
