THE OWNERS OF Lough Erne Resort have criticised the European Tour’s decision to move next year’s Irish Open away from the County Fermanagh venue.

Tour bosses confirmed on Monday that the 2017 tournament will not be held at the Nick Faldo-designed course as planned, although they have not yet announced a replacement venue.

Portstewart Golf Club in Derry is thought to be the leading alternative.

“We are extremely disappointed that the European Tour has announced a change in its decision to hold the 2017 Irish Open Championship at Lough Erne Resort,” Lough Erne’s owners and management said in a statement.

“Over the last several months, senior tour officials began telling us that European Tour management was considering a ‘traditional links course strategy’ for future Irish Opens, and because of that new strategy there had been indications that the 2017 date at Lough Erne might be in jeopardy.

From the beginning of those conversations, we have remained steadfast in our position not to accept this change from the Tour, and we have spent the last few months trying to work with Tour officials at the highest level to persuade them to keep their commitment to Lough Erne Resort and the region.

“However, despite our willingness to work with the Tour in every way to convince them to maintain their commitment, they have made the decision to change the venue to a traditional links course in 2017 and at this point we have no choice but to accept it.”

Announcing the decision on Monday, European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said he is “confident” that the course will host a tour event in the future.

Lough Erne added:

While we are clearly disappointed with the European Tour’s decision, the Resort’s ownership group remains committed to working with Tour officials towards bringing a future Irish Open or an equivalent event to Lough Erne Resort.

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