The Ladies European Tour (LET) is pleased to announce that the 2012 Ladies Irish Open will be staged once again at Killeen Castle, marking its third successive year at the venue.

Making the announcement Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of the Ladies European Tour said that the Ladies Irish Open has grown to become one of the most popular events in the European ladies golf calendar: “We are delighted that Killeen Castle has agreed to host the 2012 Irish Open. Since the event moved here in 2009 it has taken on a new lease of life with large crowds coming to see the world’s best lady golfers in action. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Killeen Castle is one of the finest courses on the European Tour and I want to thank Killeen Castle for their continued support for the Ladies Irish Open.”

Killeen Castle General Manager, Barry O’Connor, said that he was delighted that Killeen Castle would once again be hosting the Ladies Irish Open. “We are very ambitious for this wonderful golf course and hosting The Solheim Cup this week is evidence of that but we are also anxious to host other big events and the Ladies Irish Open fits right in with that plan. Since we opened in 2009, the course and the golf club have gone from strength to strength. We have a vibrant and growing membership which has increased by 10% this year; the first number of residents have recently moved into their new homes on the estate; our green fee revenue has seen a 20% rise and the Dave Pelz Shorts Game School continues to attract a worldwide attendance, with the US Solheim team utilising the facility this week. We are working to achieve continued growth in the coming years at Killeen Castle and the 2012 Ladies Irish Open will play a role in achieving this growth.”

Over the past few years the field at the Ladies Irish Open has grown from strength to strength, cementing its place on the Ladies European Tour and showcasing some of the world’s top players. A host of Solheim Cup Stars competing this week have become regular Irish Open participants and favourites with the Irish crowd including America’s Christina Kim and England’s Laura Davies. The past two champions Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson (2010) and world number two Suzann Pettersen from Norway, who shot a course record 63 this year, will be leading the charge for Europe this week as they attempt to grasp The Solheim Cup from the Americans.