Killeen to host 2012 Ladies Open

Killeen Castle, host of this week's Solheim Cup, will stage the 2012 Ladies Irish Open, it has been confirmed. The Ladies European Tour (LET) has announced that the Ladies Irish Open will be marking its third successive year at the Dunsany venue. Alexandra Armas, executive director of the Ladies European Tour said that the Ladies Irish Open has grown to become one of the most popular events in the European ladies golf calendar: "We are delighted that Killeen Castle has agreed to host the 2012 Irish Open. Since the event moved here in 2009 it has taken on a new lease of life with large crowds coming to see the world's best lady golfers in action. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Killeen Castle is one of the finest courses on the European Tour and I want to thank Killeen Castle for their continued support for the Ladies Irish Open." Killeen Castle General Manager, Barry O'Connor, said that he was delighted that Killeen Castle would once again be hosting the Ladies Irish Open. "We are very ambitious for this wonderful golf course and hosting The Solheim Cup this week is evidence of that but we are also anxious to host other big events and the Ladies Irish Open fits right in with that plan. Since we opened in 2009, the course and the golf club have gone from strength to strength. We have a vibrant and growing membership which has increased by 10 per cent this year; the first number of residents have recently moved into their new homes on the estate; our green fee revenue has seen a 20 per cent rise and the Dave Pelz Shorts Game School continues to attract a worldwide attendance, with the US Solheim team utilising the facility this week. We are working to achieve continued growth in the coming years at Killeen Castle and the 2012 Ladies Irish Open will play a role in achieving this growth."