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Host of stars confirmed for Irish Open Pro Am in Portstewart

Portstewart Golf Club will next week host the Irish Open. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Portstewart Golf Club will next week host the Irish Open. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Portstewart Golf Club will next week host the Irish Open. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

FAMOUS faces from the world of sport, television and film will be teeing-off in Portstewart next week at this year's Irish Open Pro Am.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, TV presenter Vernon Kay and Hollywood actor Aidan Quinn are among the host of celebrities set to hit the fairways.

The celebrity event on July 6 takes place on the eve of the start of the prestigious Irish Open tournament at Portstewart Golf Club.

Among the sports stars due to play are Northern Ireland football manager Michael O'Neill, former snooker world champion Dennis Taylor and former Tottenham and Arsenal goalkeeper Pat Jennings. Completing the representation of the sporting world is the voice of golf and BBC commentator Peter Allis.

From the world of music, former Westlife singer Shane Filan will play as well as Kevin Baird and Sam Halliday from Two Door Cinema Club before they officially open the tournament with a concert in the tented village later that night.

Fresh from his hosting duties at an Evening with Rory on July 4 with Holywood golfer Rory McIlroy and special guest Guardiola, Coleraine actor James Nesbitt will also take to the course alongside star of The Fall, Jamie Dornan.

The Irish Open is supported by the Rory Foundation, with host McIlroy looking forward to the the star-studded Pro Am event.

"I think this is one of the best Pro-Am line-ups you could ask for," said McIlroy.

"We're certainly in for an entertaining day and I'm delighted everyone wants to come here and play.

"There’s no better place to come and play golf than Northern Ireland. It's nice to be able to call this place home."

John McGrillen from Tourism NI said the Irish Open has "gone from strength to strength since returning to Northern Ireland five years ago".

"The tournament is an investment in our tourism industry that will pay dividends for decades to come, drawing visitors from across Ireland and further afield and making a vital contribution to local economies," he said.