PING

A star-studded field headed by Niall Horan is lined up as celebrities from across the island of Ireland will play in next week’s ISPS HANDA World Invitational Pro-am at Galgorm and Massereene to mark the start of tournament week.
Pro-am days are always a fun day out as teams and celebrities mix it with the professionals at both venues before the serious business of the US $3 million event gets underway from next Thursday. Spectators will get their chance to watch their favourite sporting and entertainment personalities in action at the championship venues on Wednesday July 28.
Unquestionably, one of the biggest draws will be Horan’s team at Galgorm. The global music star and owner of Modest! Golf will swap the microphone for golf clubs for a day on the course with his team.
For music enthusiasts there will be further opportunity to see their idols as Westlife pair, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan, will also be in action at Galgorm. These guys have no problem hitting their notes but next Wednesday they will be looking to hit fairways and greens instead.
The list of sporting names cuts across a range of sports and includes something of a family rugby thing with brothers, Rob and Dave Kearney, swapping their Leinster and Ireland jerseys for a day on the golf course.
Closer to home, Ulster and Ireland rugby legends will be on show at Massereene in the form of Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace and Andy Ward. A cricket theme will also be evident at Massereene with Ireland players Kyle McCallan, Andrew White and Garfield Harrison swapping the crease for manicured, tree-lined fairways.
At Massereene, spectators will also be able to watch a team of soccer legends in the form of Gerry Anderson, John O’Neill alongside Gerry Kelly. This team will be closely followed by Liam Beckett’s self-proclaimed ‘team of hackers’ that includes George McCartney and Oisin McConville. Who knows, perhaps this is Beckett’s tactic to underplay their chances and get into the winner’s circle?
Galgorm will also have a strong soccer theme when former Northern Ireland stars Chris Brunt and Keith Gillespie tee it up alongside BBC NI broadcaster Stephen Watson.
Further big names include Northern Ireland DJ Pete Snodden and Rory Best; the Ulster, Ireland and Lions legend is a long-time supporter of tournament golf at Galgorm.
“I can’t wait to get playing in the ISPS HANDA World Invitational Pro-am next week,” explained Niall Horan, whose company Modest! Golf is the tournament’s Presenting Sponsor. “You all know how much I love golf, but when we are on the road there isn’t always the chance to get a game and that’s why I love getting back to Galgorm to take part in the Pro-am.
“It’s always a great day for players and spectators, everyone is relaxed and enjoys themselves. I’m delighted to see so many great names coming to play and support the event. It’s the perfect way to kickstart tournament week.”
To join in the fun of Pro-am day at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational, tickets can be purchased through the tournament’s official ticketing platform Eventbrite. Children’s tickets are just £5 for the full day and adult tickets are £15.
For spectators planning their day at Galgorm or Massereene, the celebrity groups along with their professionals will tee off from around 12.30pm – 2.30pm at both venues. The full Pro-am timesheets will be published online and through social media channels when finalised.