Annesley Williams Škoda is proud to mark its fifth consecutive year as title sponsor of the Irish PGA Nine-Hole Matchplay, taking place at Sutton Golf Club from 3rd–5th October.

The tournament, now firmly established on the Irish PGA calendar, is unique as the only matchplay format event on the circuit. First introduced in 2019 by Sutton Golf Club Professional Paddy Devine, the championship has quickly built a reputation for excitement and innovation.

Among its notable winners, Tim Rice secured the first two titles, while this year all eyes will be on Brian McElhinney, who returns as the defending champion.

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Cian Bennis of Annesley Williams Škoda highlighted the company’s pride in supporting the event. 

“I suppose being a member of Sutton for 25 years, and being the MD of Annesley Williams Škoda, we really look forward to this event every year. There is a real sense of excitement in the club,” said Cian Bennis, a former Captain of Sutton Golf Club and a Director at Annesley Williams who have been on board from the beginning. “It is rare to have an event so close to home and the event gives both the golf club and Annesley Williams great exposure.”

Since its first appearance on the region in 2019, the event has become one of the most eagerly anticipated on the PGA in Ireland calendar and is a fitting end to the race to secure top spot in the Elavon Order of Merit. Preceded by a Pro-Am on Friday, 3 October, 32 of the leading players in the Elavon Order of Merit rankings will compete in the game’s oldest format over Saturday and Sunday.

Once again, thanks to Annesley Williams and the hard-working team at Sutton Golf Club, a healthy prize fund is on offer and all 32 participants are guaranteed a cheque. The format sees the 32 professionals divided into eight groups of four players with everyone guaranteed three matches on Saturday in a round-robin format.

The eight group winners advance to contest Sunday’s quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. The draw for the composition of the groups will take place after the Pro-Am on Friday evening and it open to anyone to attend.

Brian McElhinney of North West Golf Club in Donegal is the defending champion, and 2023 winner Neil O’Briain and Tim Rice, who won the inaugural event and then successfully defended his title on the second staging, are all in the field. Simon Thornton, the reigning Irish PGA Championship winner and leading player in the Elavon Order of Merit rankings, Cormac Sharvin, ranked number two, and Colm Moriarty, who secured five wins in the past six weeks, are also in attendance and headline a top-class field.