Iconic golf trophy comes from the famous Dark Hedges

A trophy which some of the world’s top golfers are to compete for is made from wood from the famous Dark Hedges in Co Antrim.
By Jonathan McCambridge
Published 26th Aug 2020, 14:07 BST
The tropy made from wood from the Dark HedgesThe tropy made from wood from the Dark Hedges
The tropy made from wood from the Dark Hedges

In just a few days’ time golfers will swing into Mid and East Antrim to take their best shot at winning this year’s Northern Ireland Open.

The Northern Ireland Open supported by The R&A was added to the European Challenge Tour’s 2020 Road to Mallorca schedule and will be played at Galgorm Castle from September 3-6.

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The iconic trophy, which was first introduced to the competition back in 2017, was made from trees from the Dark Hedges near Stranocum.

Gary Henry (Galgorm Castle Director), Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Chief Executive Anne Donaghy and Mayor Cllr Peter JohnstonGary Henry (Galgorm Castle Director), Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Chief Executive Anne Donaghy and Mayor Cllr Peter Johnston
Gary Henry (Galgorm Castle Director), Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Chief Executive Anne Donaghy and Mayor Cllr Peter Johnston

Some of the trees from the mysterious tunnel-like avenue of beech trees, made famous by HBO series ‘Game of Thrones’, were blown down during Storm Gertude in January 2016.

Fergus Wallace, the founder and chief executive of PerformanceACTIVE, the Northern Ireland Open’s technology partner, decided that a trophy for the tournament could be made from the trees that had fallen.

His concept would be that it would tip its hat to some of our most famous landmarks.

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At the time, local wood tuner Gerard Grey was asked By Fergus to harvest and craft the sacred wood into a new trophy for the event at Galgorm Castle and it has since been a very special part of the tournament.

Despite the challenges that Covid-19 has presented, Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort has been successful in securing two of golfing’s biggest tournaments next month with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open also being held at the location from 24-27 September.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, said he was delighted both tournaments were coming to Mid and East Antrim which would showcase the beauty of the borough around the globe.

Related topics:Mid and East AntrimPeter Johnston