The LET Access Series (LETAS) has today announced a new event on the 2025 calendar, the Women’s Irish Challenge, which will take place in late August.
Malahide Golf Club, located on Dublin’s north coast, will host the 54-hole stroke play tournament from 27-29 August, with a prize fund of €45,000.
Following on from the huge success and growth of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, which was voted LET’s Tournament of the Year in 2024 by LET members, the ForeFront Group decided it was a natural progression to increase their support of the professional women’s game with a tournament on LETAS.
A field of 126 players will be teeing it up at the venerable Irish Golf Club, home to Ryder Cup legend Phillip Walton.
The addition of the Women’s Irish Challenge to the 2025 LETAS schedule means there are now 17 events across the tournament year, with Ireland becoming the fourth new country the Tour will visit this season, alongside Portugal, Austria and Morocco.
Dr Úna May, Sport Ireland CEO, said: “At Sport Ireland we’ve long championed women’s sport and we have a proud association with golf through initiatives such as the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme, which supports golfers who have the potential to become established players on the main international tours.
“We’re now very happy to back the inaugural Women’s Irish Challenge. I have no doubt it will be an excellent addition to women’s golf in Ireland and will provide a great testing ground for upcoming amateurs and pros from across Europe. I’d like to wish all the competitors the very best.”
Eddie Farrell GM of Malahide Golf Club said: “Malahide Golf Club is thrilled to host the Women’s Irish Challenge, a landmark event celebrating the rise of Irish female professional golf. We are witnessing a golden era, with outstanding players like Leona Maguire, Stephanie Meadow, Sara Byrne, Lauren Walsh, Annabel Wilson, and Anna Foster making their mark on the world stage.
“At Malahide, we are committed to supporting the next generation of stars on their journey. Our Championship Course will provide a true test of skill, ensuring a thrilling showcase of talent for players and spectators alike.“
Cian Branagan of ForeFront Group said: “The Women’s Irish Challenge has been in the works for a long time and I am so grateful to Sport Ireland, Novellus Finance, the Ladies European Tour Access Series and Malahide Golf Club for helping us get to this stage.
“It’s a very exciting time for the sport in Ireland and I am so thrilled that we have another platform to give so many talented players another opportunity to follow in the footsteps of their golfing heroes. Also, a special mention to Donal Casey who helped us find this incredible venue and introduced us to Eddie and the team at Malahide Golf Club.”
Ana Larraneta, LETAS Tour Director, added: “We are excited to announce this addition to the schedule and visit Ireland for the first time as a Tour. It is great to work with the ForeFront Group who share our vision of providing female professionals more opportunities to play competitively. Since 2022, they have done fantastic work with the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, and we can’t wait to work with them to stage a successful event.”
This will be a free ticketed event, and more information will be available at www.womensirishchallenge.ie
The 2025 LETAS season kicks off next week in France for the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, taking place April 4-6.
For more information on the LET Access Series, visit letaccess.com and follow @LETAccess on Facebook, Instagram and X– #Access2LET.
