Darren Clarke Foundation 
Following the huge success of the Darren Clarke Foundation Champions Weekend in September 2002, the dates for the 2003 Champions Weekend have now been confirmed. So as to facilitate Darren's heavy schedule, including his tour commitments, this year's get together of the boys and girls champions will take place on the 11th and 12th of October.
Once again Portmarnock Golf Club and Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links have made their facilities available for the Foundation Weekend. These gestures were warmly welcomed yesterday by Darren who is currently at Firestone, competing in the NEC Invitational.
He said: "We are very fortunate to secure the support of Portmarnock Golf Club and Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links once again. I have had a long and happy association with Portmarnock Links which is an excellent golf course and was in fantastic condition the last time I played it.
During this year's Irish Open, Portmarnock Golf Club proved why it is one of the best courses in the world. All of the Tour Pros loved it and it is, without doubt, one of my all time favourite golf courses.
I am delighted to be returning to both of these great golf courses at Portmarnock and I know that the participants of this year's Champions Weekend will enjoy playing them".
Once again, the invitees will be the Irish and Provincial winners of the girls and boys championships. The list of invitees is currently being finalised and personal invitations from Darren to attend the Champions Weekend will be going out within the next two weeks, on his return from the USA.
Last year's successful format is likely to be repeated, with the participants benefiting from a weekend's coaching from Darren, while also being afforded the opportunity of playing with him. The programme will address all aspects of the short game, long game, wedge play, iron play as well as mental and physical preparation for tournament golf.
Last year's Champions Weekend was an unqualified success with most of the participants acclaiming it as one of the highlights of their golfing year. They enjoyed a hands-on approach from Darren, with specific emphasis on their achievements to date, their goals, their ambitions and the steps they were taking, or hoped to embark on, with a view to achieving their golfing ambitions.
The Darren Clarke Foundation has recently received a considerable boost in relation to funding with Darren passing on the €10,000 charitable donation he received from O2 for being best Irish player at the European Open. He has also agreed to donate all his winnings from the "Northern Ireland Challenge", a European Challenge Tour event being held at Castlerock Golf Club on the 11th to 14th September 2003. As a further bonus, Barclays Capital, one of Darren's major sponsors, have committed funds to the Foundation.
As it gains momentum, it is hoped that in the not too distant future, the Foundation will go on to fulfil its second objective of bringing the game of golf to the younger generation within Ireland who, for a variety of reasons, might experience difficulty in accessing or participating in golf as a sport.

[Ends]

For further information contact International Sports Management Limited:

Dublin - Dougie Heather - 01 6703232/087 2552543

UK - Andrew Chandler - 0044 156 5832100