**Children** throughout **Ireland** are being invited to *‘Roar For Rory’* and win some fabulous prizes for their school and family as part of a nationwide competition organised by the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation.The ‘Roar For Rory’ competition will give two lucky children across the island of Ireland a chance to win a unique opportunity for their schools to host a visit from the prestigious Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Trophy – as well as a family pass and VIP Tour at the tournament during Pro-Am day.
To enter the competition, children of all ages – or their parents and teachers – should simply submit a short video or fun photograph of themselves, their friends or classmates shouting ‘Come on Rory’ (or any other player they choose) in support of Dubai Duty Free Irish Open 2016 champion Rory McIlroy and the other top golfers who will be competing for what has become one of the most sought after titles on the European Tour.
Entries should be sent to [email protected] along with contact details clearly stating the child’s name, age, address and school.
Alternatively, parents and teachers can tweet their videos and photos to @ddfirishopen or post on the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Facebook page with the hashtags #ddfirishopen and #roarforrory.
Closing date for entries is Wednesday **June 7** with the prize to be taken by June 23 or before the end of term.
The two winning children, as chosen by the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open judging panel, will receive an amazing **‘money can’t buy’** prize package that includes a chance to get their hands on the prestigious trophy, a Q&A session with representatives of the European Tour and Rory Foundation at their school, and an insight into the life of a professional golfer from Ireland’s Dubai Duty Free golf ambassador Des Smyth.
Each winning pupil’s class will also receive tickets to go to the Pro-Am on Wednesday July 5.
Not only that, the two winning children will each receive a family pass for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Pro-Am and a VIP tour with a chance to see Rory and some of the world’s top golfers up close!
Picture: *The children of Straffan National School in Co. Kildare, pictured with Tom Walsh of Waterford Crystal, Dubai Duty Free Golf Ambassador Des Smyth, Antonia Beggs from the European Tour and Brian McIlroy of the Rory Foundation*
The European Tour’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Championship Director Simon Alliss said: *“We’re thrilled to launch this fun competition for children. We can’t wait to see them ‘Roar for Rory’ and show their support for defending champion Rory McIlroy and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open tournament that he has hosted so successfully for the past three years.*
*“It is such a great way for kids to get involved with such a huge and important sporting event in the island of Ireland’s sporting calendar which attracts so many high-profile professional golfers and worldwide interest,”* he added.
Brian McIlroy of the Rory Foundation said: *“Our annual children’s competition is such an important part of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and something that Rory himself is very passionate about as it encourages kids to become involved in golf or even to take the sport up at a young age.*
*“What is so fantastic this year is that children now have an opportunity to show us – and Rory – how much they are supporting this year’s tournament in the form of a video or photo. We’re all looking forward to seeing the enthusiasm and passion that school children from both the North and South of Ireland have for Rory and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open,”* added Brian.
The 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation is set to be the biggest in the tournament’s history, with an increased prize fund of US$7million to be matched by an enhanced fan experience outside of the ropes.
A portion of all tickets sales this year will go towards the Rory Foundation which was established by McIlroy in 2013 to help children live better lives by raising funds and offering support to children’s charities around the world.
The tournament enables the Rory Foundation to build a platform for positive change reaching into the community and developing innovative initiatives to help children and young people in most need. Sport Changes Life are the primary beneficiary of this year’s tournament.
For more information on the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation or to purchase tickets, click on **www.dubaidutyfreeirishopen.com.**
**Cover pic**: *The children of St Ita’s Primary School in Belfast, pictured with Brian McIlroy of the Rory Foundation, Antonia Beggs from the European Tour and Dubai Duty Free Golf Ambassador Des Smyth*
