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AIB Ladies Irish Open 'A five-star fare'
The 2008 AIB Ladies Irish Open was one of Irelands sporting highlights of the year. Not only was it the revival of the Ladies Irish Open last held in 2003, it also assumes the distinction of being the first Professional golf Championship to be held in the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links 15-year history. The event also had the honour of being the only major women’s professional golf tournament in the world during 2008 to be played on a genuine ‘links’ golf course.
Another element which added to the revival of the AIB Ladies Irish Open was the strong field of world class competitors. This field included three of the top fifteen in the world. World number three Suzann Pettersen, Solheim Cup player Maria Hjorth and the sensational American Morgan Pressel. As predicted the favourite Suzann Pettersen captured the victory at the first AIB Ladies Irish Open. Not to be outdone fellow Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord made it interesting on the final day to take the runner up place.
Testimonials from national press relating to the event widely praised the event as a success. “Anyone who took the time or trouble to traipse along to the AIB Irish Women’s Open at Portmarnock Links yesterday was rewarded. Not only did the sun appear, along with a breeze sufficiently strong to make players use creative shot-making in negotiating the links, but the class act of the tournament , Suzann Pettersen, duly obliged by taking the title with a display of supreme confidence that only hinted at greater things ahead” wrote Philip Reid of The Irish Times. The Irish Independent’s Liam Kelly stated “The years rolled back at sun-splashed Portmarnock yesterday where golf, crowds and a festival atmosphere brought memories of the good old days when the Irish Open was an annual summer highlight”. Colin Byrne of The Irish Times added “It was a five-star fare” “From a spectator’s viewpoint, last week’s event would win the Gourmet Open of the year award anywhere in the world. I have never been to an event that offered such a varied selection of delicious and nutritious food”
Suzann Pettersen, the winner of the Ladies Irish Open also added “I had such a memorable week at the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links in July 2008. It was one of those weeks where everything was just perfect. I love the challenge the course provided and wish we could play courses like that more often. The hotel looked after my family and I beautifully and the Irish welcome and hospitality lived up to its excellent reputation”.
The following report has been put together to document the events and facts of the 2008 AIB Ladies Irish Open for future reference.
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