The NI Collegiate Invitational is expected to bring up to 16 U.S. men’s programs to Ballymena for regular season competition.
Northern Ireland’s tournament golf calendar is getting a new addition. The inaugural NI Collegiate Invitational is scheduled for September 5–9, 2027, at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena, where it is set to become the first Division I college golf tournament held in Northern Ireland.
Organizers expect up to 16 U.S. men’s programs to compete for team and individual titles as part of their regular season schedules. The field has yet to be announced, and organizers say details of a broadcast partner are also forthcoming. Cara Group Travel, Boardwalk Sports and Galgorm are developing the event, which they hope to stage annually.
For the players, the draw goes beyond an overseas trip. Galgorm Castle hosted the 2020 Irish Open and has an established professional tournament history. Its Championship Castle Course measures 7,276 yards, with the rivers Maine and Braid coming into play on several holes. It should give visiting teams a demanding test in a setting few college golfers will have experienced in competition.
“College golf continues to evolve, and we believe the next frontier is global competition,” said Sara Stanton, managing director of Cara Group Travel. Organizers also plan to give participating student athletes opportunities to experience Northern Ireland beyond the course.
The announcement gives college golf fans an intriguing event to watch as the 2027 season takes shape. The course and dates are set. The next question is which programs will make the trip to Galgorm.