Omagh Golf Club makes history with first-ever night golf event in County Tyrone

OMAGH Golf Club made history on Friday when it hosted the first-ever Night Golf event in County Tyrone, starting off at 7pm under illuminated fairways in a spectacle that brought a new twist to the traditional game.

The innovative format, organised in partnership with Night Golf Ireland, transforms the course after dark with glowing golf balls, illuminated flags and hundreds of lights lining the fairways and greens.

Night Golf has grown steadily worldwide since the invention of the patented Nite Golf Ball in 1986. Today, events are held in 62 countries, with more than 150,000 tournaments organised globally.

Speaking of the landmark event, John McCance from Omagh Golf Club’s marketing team explained how the idea came about.

“It is Night Golf Ireland and a man named Geoff got in touch with us from the company,” he said. “He has been doing work in different clubs around Northern Ireland, and he had a few slots free, so he approached us and asked us if we would be interested. We thought, yes, let’s do it.”

After meeting with Geoff Johnston two weeks prior to the event to go over logistics, numbers and safety procedures, the club opened bookings to members. The response was immediate.

“We needed a minimum of 40 players, and we ended up with 64. Within two days, we were fully booked, and then we started praying that the weather was going to be good,” John said.

The event featured nine holes played in a scramble format, with teams of four. Each player tees off, the best shot is selected, and the team continues from that position. The format encourages teamwork and keeps the atmosphere relaxed and inclusive.

Players used specially designed illuminated balls in a variety of colours, including pink, blue, green and orange. To protect equipment, only irons were permitted, with no metal drivers allowed. The course was shortened accordingly, with tee shots played from mats approximately 300 yards from the holes.

The course itself was transformed with around 700 lights installed across the nine holes. Blue lights marked the fairways, green lights highlighted the greens, and flag poles were illuminated with strip lighting. One par-three hole featured a dartboard-style lit green for a special closest-to-the-pin competition.

“We start with what is called a shotgun start,” John explained. “There are eight players on the first hole, eight on the second and so on. It’s slightly different, but it sounds like it’s going to be great craic.”

The evening began with a health and safety briefing delivered by Night Golf Ireland between 6.30pm and 7pm. Participants were required to wear safety vests and bring head torches. Food was provided before play, and prizes were awarded at the end of the competition. While nine holes would normally take around two hours, organisers expected the Night Golf format to run closer to two and a half hours.

Geoff Johnston, from Newtownards and representing Night Golf Ireland, said the concept has been hugely successful internationally.

“Night Golf is massive in the States. It all really started in 1986, and it hasn’t happened much in Ireland, so it was an opportunity to do something different,” he said. “It’s really nice to see the balls flying through the air all lit up.”

Geoff added that he is fully booked for the year, with many clubs hosting events for charity. He is also scheduled to bring Night Golf to Fintona in April, marking another first for County Tyrone.

Beyond the novelty factor, organisers see Night Golf as a way to attract new members and energise the club during quieter months.

“At this time of year, it’s good to get more people into the club,” John said. “The bar is quiet, the course is quiet, and it’s when members are joining. You might get interest from people who want to join, so that was another reason we got behind Night Golf Ireland.”

The club is also undergoing significant renovations to improve drainage and course conditions after a particularly wet spell. Work on one of the greens is expected to take eight to ten weeks, with hopes of completion in time for the Captain’s Drive on Saturday March 21. Fundraising efforts are ongoing, including a major draw on April 11 with a top prize of £6,000 and a ten-year membership.

Following the success of the event, Omagh Golf Club is already considering making Night Golf an annual fixture.

“After the first ever Night Golf, I’d say we will probably do it again,” John said. “It’s golf with a twist. It brings a different perspective. It’s shorter shots, it’s a team event, and basically your whole family can play. It’s great for growing the sport.”

For one night at least, golf in Omagh proved that the game does not have to end when the sun goes down.