Galgorm Collection launches first-of-its-kind childcare initiative for team members

NI Collegiate Invitational to Bring Leading U.S. University Golf Programs to Galgorm Castle for International Competition

A landmark moment for collegiate golf is set to arrive in 2027 with the launch of the NI Collegiate Invitational, a new international championship set to become the first Division I collegiate golf tournament held in Northern Ireland. Scheduled for September 5-9, 2027, at the acclaimed Galgorm Resort the inaugural event will bring leading U.S. university golf programs together for a world-class competition in one of golf's most celebrated elite destinations.

Developed through a strategic partnership between Cara Group Travel, Boardwalk Sports, and Galgorm, the NI Collegiate Invitational brings together leaders in international sports travel, collegiate event management, and championship golf operations to create a new global showcase for collegiate golf. The partners share a vision of establishing Northern Ireland as the home of one of the most distinctive and prestigious events on the collegiate golf calendar.

"College golf continues to evolve, and we believe the next frontier is global competition," said Sara Stanton, Managing Director of Cara Group Travel. "The NI Collegiate Invitational is about much more than golf. It is about creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience where student-athletes compete at the highest level while gaining exposure to a different culture, a European golfing environment, and a broader perspective on the game that originated in the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland offers a championship setting unlike anywhere else in the world."

The tournament is expected to feature up to 16 leading Division I men's golf programs competing in both team and individual championships as part of their regular-season Division I schedules. Organizers believe the event represents a significant step forward in the globalisation of collegiate sports and could serve as a model for future international competitions.

Hosted at the acclaimed Galgorm Castle Golf Club, the championship venue stands among the most distinguished tournament courses in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Home to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2020 and a long-time host of the Northern Ireland Open, Galgorm Castle has welcomed some of the biggest names in professional golf while earning an international reputation for championship-calibre competition. Most recently, the venue hosted the NI Legends on the European Legends Tour, with Steve Alker (New Zealand) victorious, making it three wins in three weeks for the Kiwi following two PGA Tour Champions wins before travelling across the pond for the NI Legends. Against this backdrop of professional excellence, the championship will offer student-athletes a rare opportunity to compete on the same fairways that have challenged tour winners and major champions, while experiencing the rich golfing culture that has made Northern Ireland one of the sport's most revered destinations.

"Galgorm has earned an international reputation for delivering exceptional championship golf experiences, and we are delighted to play a role in bringing this groundbreaking event to Northern Ireland," said Gary Henry, Group Golf Director, Galgorm Collection. "Welcoming some of America's premier university golf programs to compete here reflects both the quality of the venue and Northern Ireland's standing as a global golf destination. We believe this event has the potential to become one of the most prestigious international experiences in collegiate golf. It represents a unique opportunity to showcase our championship course, our hospitality, and the incredible golf offering that exists throughout Northern Ireland to the next generation of elite players."

Northern Ireland has established itself as one of the world's premier golf destinations, home to iconic courses, major championship venues, and a rich tradition of golfing excellence. The NI Collegiate Invitational aims to leverage that momentum while building stronger connections between collegiate athletics, international travel, and sport tourism.

"This is exactly the type of innovative event that can help redefine what's possible in collegiate golf," said Rich Ensor, Chief Executive Officer of Boardwalk Sports. "Today's student-athletes are looking for experiences that combine meaningful competition with personal growth, international exposure, and lifelong memories. By creating a championship of this calibre in Northern Ireland, we are providing universities with an opportunity unlike any other currently available in collegiate golf. We believe the NI Collegiate Invitational can become a marquee event that attracts many of the top programs in collegiate golf while helping to further internationalise the sport."

Recent changes to collegiate athletics travel regulations have created new opportunities for institutions to expand their international competition schedules, helping pave the way for innovative events such as the NI Collegiate Invitational. Organisers expect the combination of elite competition, a world-class venue, and an extraordinary destination experience to make the championship one of the most attractive events on the collegiate golf calendar. The organisers expect to soon announce the 2027 field and its broadcast partner.

In addition to competition at Galgorm Castle, participating student-athletes will have the opportunity to experience Northern Ireland's culture, hospitality, and globally acclaimed golf landscape, further distinguishing the event from traditional collegiate tournaments.

With interest already building among leading Division I programs and key industry partners, organizers believe the NI Collegiate Invitational has the potential to become a defining event in collegiate golf. Envisioned as an annual fixture on the collegiate golf calendar, the championship aims to establish a new benchmark for international competition by bringing elite university programs to one of the world's great golf destinations. More than a tournament, the NI Collegiate Invitational seeks to connect student-athletes, universities, and the global golf community while showcasing Northern Ireland's unique place in the game and helping shape the future of international collegiate golf.

Award winning hospitality group, Galgorm Collection has announced its support for local tennis ace, Emma Mezei, who recently finished runner-up in the prestigious William Fry All Ireland Under 10 Junior Championships, hosted at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin.

Aged just 10, Emma has achieved remarkable results at tournaments across Ireland and against some of the best junior players the country has to offer. Her recent All-Ireland achievement has also claimed her a place in the history books by being the first member of Ballymena Lawn Tennis Club to reach an All-Ireland junior final in over 40 years. 

With ambitions to progress to Tennis Europe competitions, the three-year partnership with Galgorm Collection will support Emma with entry fees and equipment, helping her to continue developing and competing at a high level. 

“Huge congratulations to Emma on her recent All-Ireland result. Going up against some of the country’s top junior players and finishing in second place is certainly no mean feat. We’ve no doubt that Emma’s talent and success will continue and we’re so proud to support such a determined local athlete,” said Colin Johnston, CEO of Galgorm Collection.

“Sport develops so many skills that are equally valuable in the workplace from teamwork and perseverance to dedication and problem-solving. As a Collection that employs over 1,400 people across Northern Ireland, we see those qualities every day in our teams.

“We’re really looking forward to supporting Emma in her ventures over the next three years and we wish her the very best of luck.”

Commenting on the partnership, Emma’s father, Csabi Mezei added: “We’re so proud of Emma’s accomplishments so far and are very grateful to Galgorm Collection’s support which will help her continue to develop her skills and experience on the court.

“Emma is passionate about tennis and loves the challenge of competing. Her ambition is to experience more high level competition, including selected Tennis Europe tournaments, and the support from Galgorm Collection will help make those opportunities possible. We’re excited to see where her hard work will take her over the next few years.”

This partnership forms part of Galgorm Collection’s wider community engagement programme, which includes support for Ballymena Hockey Club, All Saints GAA, Netball NI and a range of local sports clubs, schools, charities and societies.

As one of Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality groups, with a portfolio encompassing hotels, restaurants and golf experiences, Galgorm Collection continues to invest in organisations and individuals that drive participation, wellbeing and positive social impact at a local level. As the Group continues to grow, its focus remains firmly on delivering meaningful economic and social impact across the region.

The Staysure Legends Tour welcomed professionals, sporting personalities, special guests and media to Galgorm today for a Par 3 Challenge against the clock as preparations continue for this summer’s NI Legends tournament that takes place at the same venue from September 4th – 6th, 2026.

Home players from the Staysure Legends Tour, Gary Murphy, Damian Mooney and Cameron Clark, led the teams alongside local celebrities and sporting heroes.

Teams of three took to the signature par-three 7th hole on the championship Castle Course at Galgorm to try and make as many pars as possible within their five-minute window. The professionals hit the tee shots before other team members gathered around the green to play alternate shots as they tried to beat the clock.

Former Northern Ireland internationals Keith Gillespie, John O’Neill, Jim Magilton, Tommy Wright, George McCartney and Steven Penney were present alongside former Ulster rugby star Ian Humphreys. Galgorm’s own icon Liam Beckett put local knowledge to good use along with UTV’s Ruth Gorman and BBC NI’s Stephen Watson.

In the end it was the team of Clark, O’Neill and Wright that came out on top after a tense play-off, beating Mooney’s team of Galgorm experts, Beckett and Penney with an impressive tally of seven pars in sudden death.

As the May heatwave continues, Galgorm provided a morning of fun as player interviews, filming and content creation gave a flavour of what’s to come during tournament week in September.

Clark, who was born in Ballymena, was excited to return to his hometown. “I was born at the Cottage Hospital here and my dad was Head Pro at Ballymena golf club so it’s wonderful to be back here. It’s the first thing I looked for on the schedule and I’m so excited to be coming back with the family for the tournament in September. It’s going to be a special week.

Today has been really good fun. Obviously, I’ve known Murph and Damian for a long time and it was great to have the footballers and the sports people involved. I really enjoyed it and it was great to get the win!”

Murphy added: “I'm a big fan of Galgorm. My first experience here was with a microphone commentating and I thought the course looked pretty easy. And then when I got the clubs out, I realised it wasn't. It's a really good test of golf and last year, even though the weather was so inclement, the course held up extremely well. It tests all parts of your game and really looking forward to the challenge again this year. “

Mooney added: “It’s a great venue for a tournament and spectators coming for free will be able to watch the feature holes and then the stadium finish. It's a fabulous 18th hole, with the water protecting the left side of the green and a grandstand so people see plenty. There will be plenty of big names to enjoy watching, names that people recognise from the main Tour, so it’s going to be an exciting week in September for sure.”

The NI Legends is set to attract another world-class field featuring Major champions, Ryder Cup legends and Tour winners, with some of the biggest names in senior professional golf lined up to return to Northern Ireland as part of the Staysure Legends Tour’s international schedule. Tickets for the NI Legends in September are free. Register to attend

HERE.

In 2025 Austria’s Markus Brier produced a composed final round performance in difficult conditions to secure victory by two shots over Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg, claiming his first Staysure Legends Tour title since 2021. Brier is in line to defend his NI Legends title at Galgorm in September.

Galgorm is recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s premier tournament venues and this year’s NI Legends event will mark the 21st professional event staged there since 2010. Galgorm previously hosted the Irish Open on the DP World Tour (2020), four World Invitationals (2019, 2021-23), a tri-sanctioned event between the DP World Tour, LPGA and LET. The Ballymena venue also hosted the homegrown NI Open on the Hotel Planner Tour for years.

Alongside the championship action, the NI Legends provides amateur golfers a unique opportunity to be inside the ropes and play alongside Ryder Cup legends, Major champions and Tour winners in the Pro-Am or as part of the Legends Experience during tournament rounds. For more information on playing experiences and ticketing, visit

HERE

“We are delighted the NI Legends is returning to Galgorm in September, and today’s Par 3 Challenge was great fun and a great way to launch the 2026 event,” said Ross Oliver, Director of Golf at Galgorm. “Galgorm has a rich pedigree of tournament golf over the years, and we look forward to working with the Staysure Legends Tour once more.

“The Pro-Am format on the Staysure Legends Tour lends itself so well to enhanced player experiences, both for the professionals and amateurs. Tournament week is like a festival of golf, especially when spectators can come and watch household names, former Major winners and Ryder Cup players for free.”   

Further tournament details and player announcements for this year’s NI Legends at Galgorm will be announced in the coming weeks.

Extended Three- Year Partnership with Galgorm Collection

Netball Northern Ireland (Netball NI) is delighted to announce the extension of its partnership with Galgorm Collection, confirming a renewed three‑year agreement that reinforces a shared commitment to supporting local sport, community wellbeing and meaningful member engagement.

A valued supporter of Netball NI since 2022, Galgorm Collection continues to lead the way in its support of local sport. This extended collaboration builds on a strong and trusted relationship, united by a belief in the positive impact that sport and active lifestyles have across Northern Ireland.

The renewed alliance will ensure that Clubs have the resources necessary to operate effectively and will also continue to support Netball NI’s delivery of educational programmes and pathways at every level of the sport, from grassroots participation through to performance environments.

In addition, funding will support training costs for the National team known as the Warriors, as they prepare for a busy international calendar of fixtures including the Commonwealth Games, which are currently taking place in Glasgow. The Warriors are competing in Pool A alongside Australia, England, South Africa, Malawi and Tonga. The experienced team will also be hoping to make it to the World Cup, with qualifiers taking place later this year.

Karen Rollo‑Stewart, Chief Executive of Netball NI, welcomed the partnership extension, saying:

“We are incredibly proud to extend our partnership with Galgorm Collection, an organisation that has consistently demonstrated leadership in supporting local sport. Their long‑term commitment is invaluable to Netball NI and, importantly, delivers tangible benefits for our members including exclusive offers to promote players’ health and wellbeing. This partnership allows us to reward our netball community while continuing to invest in participation, development and performance across Northern Ireland.”

Galgorm Collection’s focus on excellence, wellbeing and community aligns strongly with Netball NI values, making the partnership a natural and impactful fit.

Georgie Briota, Business Development Manager at Galgorm Collection, commented:

“As a major employer with a team of over 1,400 staff across Northern Ireland, we see every day how sport can impact both people and associations, showing that teamwork and commitment really do get results. We are delighted to extend our relationship with Netball NI and continue our support for a sports body that makes such a positive difference across communities. Netball NI’s focus on inclusion, development and empowering people through sport closely reflects our own values.

“We would like to wish them all the very best for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the Commonwealth Games, which they have qualified for on the last four occasions, and that is an amazing achievement. We’ll be behind them all the way.”

Netball NI looks forward to an exciting next chapter in this enduring partnership, continuing to work alongside Galgorm Collection to support the growth of netball and deliver meaningful benefits to its members.

Galgorm Collection is committed to supporting local communities which it does through charitable donations, educational partnerships and creative interactive initiatives for local schools and colleges, that showcase the wealth of careers in hospitality and inspire the next generation to take up one of the many rewarding roles in this sector.

The company is a major local employer and has dramatically scaled up its hospitality footprint and workforce over the last decade. As its growth continues, so does the company's unwavering commitment to both economic impact and community support.