BALLYMENA, NORTHERN IRELAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Joakim Lagergren of Sweden tees off on the 18th hole during Day Three of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort on September 26, 2020 in Ballymena, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
NI Collegiate Invitational to Bring Leading U.S. University Golf Programs to Galgorm Castle for International Competition
BALLYMENA, Northern Ireland & QUINCY, Massachusetts (September 23,2026). – 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.
BALLYMENA, NORTHERN IRELAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Padraig Harrington of Ireland chips on the 18th green during Day One of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort on September 24, 2020 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
“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 globalization of collegiate sports and could serve as a model for future international competitions.
Ryan Fox (NZL) winner of the Tayto Northern Ireland Open in partnership with Ulster Bank at Galgorm Castle Golf Club, Ballymena Co. Antrim on Sunday 31st July 2016.
Picture: Golffile | Thos Caffrey
All photos usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Thos Caffrey)
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-caliber 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.
BALLYMENA, NORTHERN IRELAND – AUGUST 31: Markus Brier of Austria makes his way to the first tee box on day three of the Black Desert NI Legends 2025 at Galgorm Castle Golf Club on August 31, 2025 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Seb Daly/Getty Images)
“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 caliber 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 internationalize 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. Organizers 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 organizers 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.
An aerial view of Galgorm Resort & Spa taking in the stunning surroundings of Galgorm.
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.
Learn more: https://caragrouptravel.com/ni-collegiate-invitational/
About Cara Group Travel
Cara Group Travel is a leading provider of customized international travel experiences for collegiate athletics, alumni organizations, affinity groups, and incentive travel programs. Based in Quincy, Massachusetts, the company specializes in creating immersive travel experiences that combine education, competition, cultural exploration, and exceptional service.
About Boardwalk Sports
Boardwalk Sports specializes in the development and management of premier collegiate sporting events and international competition opportunities designed to elevate the student-athlete experience and create memorable competitive environments.
About Galgorm Collection
Galgorm Collection is Northern Ireland’s leading luxury hospitality group and home to the internationally acclaimed Galgorm Castle Golf Club, host venue of the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and numerous professional and amateur championships.
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