Europe’s largest Pro-Am is back for the third successive year as The K Club gears up to host the next instalment of the revered MCM-sponsored PGA Pro-Am, held across the Kildare resort’s Palmer North and Palmer South courses on August 10-11.

The Irish PGA Championship, one of the oldest professional golf tournaments in the world, is heading for a new venue with a new title sponsor for the 116th staging this year.

The PGA in Ireland season came to its now traditional close with the Sutton PGA 9-Hole Matchplay in October, and when all was done and dusted, Simon Thornton stood head and shoulders above the rest on the Elavon Order of Merit.

Simon Thornton enjoyed a sensational wire-to-wire win to land his fourth Brown & Brown Irish PGA Championship at Monkstown Golf Club that was made even more memorable with his son Ryan on the bag with him all week.

As one of the most storied careers draws to a close, the long-time Royal County Down Head Professional and a litany of former pupils take Paul Gallagher for a walk down memory lane.