The KPMG Women’s Irish Open takes centre stage next weekend at dromoland Castle but in advance of heading south Sports Direct, one of the key sponsors, hosted an innovative Get a Grip event at Leopardstown Golf centre this week.
Áine Donegan who leapt to fame with her performance at the US Open this summer, will be vying with Leona Maguire for star appeal next week and was on hand to show fellow amateurs what they might try to improve their own game.
RTÉ Sport presenter Marie Crowe and fellow sports journalist Valerie Wheeler were among a crew of invited guests trying their hand on the driving range, the putting green and with a few exercise routines.
There was a 360 degree camera to show off your swing action and lots more as the focus shifted away from the elite towards getting more women involved and playing the game.
Sports Direct will be on site with a number of similar activations at the tented village adjacent to the castle and close by the 18th green throughout next week.
Another special element of the activation will be the presence of artist Orla Walsh who will be hand painting golf balls to take away as mementos of the tournament.
Last year’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open was the first staging of the event in ten years. It was a brilliant success with 25,000 visitors coming through the gates and large galleries following the players, larger than on any other Ladies European Tour event and right up there with the feeling of a major.
We will be there on the course throughout the week, and we have an interview with Trophy designer Chupi Sweetman on Monday, our Tuesday Podcast with Mark Nolan, General manager of Dromoland Castle and plenty more through the week.
