PIC SHOWS: Tourism companies from Ireland with Ruth Moran (front, left), Alison Metcalfe (front, sixth right) and Paul McDonagh (front, right), all Tourism Ireland, at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida.
~ Top US golf journalists hear all about our world-class golf ~
Tourism Ireland’s golf promotional programme for 2025 kicks off this week at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida. Thirty-three (33) golf and tourism operators from Ireland are taking part in this important event in the golfing calendar. The PGA Show is one of the biggest golf exhibitions in the United States and attracted around 30,000 golf professionals and journalists last year.
2025 is an important year for golf and golf tourism to Ireland – with The Open returning to Royal Portrush this summer and the Irish Open returning to The K Club in September. Tourism Ireland will be pulling out all the stops to leverage the tourism potential of these prestigious sporting events, in the US and in our other important golf markets.
Before the PGA show in Orlando kicked off, Ireland’s world-class golf was highlighted to around 120 golf pros and buyers, at a special Ireland Golf Day – sponsored by Tourism Ireland, North & West Coast Links Golf Ireland and SWING Golf Ireland – at the Reunion Resort & Golf Club near Orlando.
On day two of the show, Tourism Ireland organised a panel discussion for top American golf journalists. Hosted by Matt Ginella, formerly of NBC Golf Channel, the panel included Gary McNeill, head professional of Royal Portrush Golf Club; Jerry Tarde, editor-in-chief of Golf Digest; and Irish golfer Aine Donegan. The panel discussion provided an excellent opportunity to highlight our superb golf, as well as the fact that The Open will return to Royal Portrush in July and the Ryder Cup will take place at Adare Manor in 2027.
Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America, said: “The American golf market remains a priority for Tourism Ireland in 2025 and we will continue to promote Ireland as a top golf destination. We’re also taking every opportunity to highlight the fact that The Open will return to Royal Portrush in July, the Amgen Irish Open takes place at The K Club in September and that Adare Manor will host the Ryder Cup in 2027. Tourism Ireland will be pulling out all the stops once again to leverage the tourism potential of these prestigious sporting events, in the US and in our other important golf markets.
“Golf is the world’s largest sports-related travel market and Tourism Ireland, together with our partners Fáilte Ireland and Tourism NI, is working hard to drive home the message that Ireland offers American golfers the complete package – with some of the very best golf in the world, stunning scenery and the warmest of welcomes.”
