Irish Golf News
Graeme McDowell, Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Ireland's amateur
stars.
Another big loss for Irish golf as designer Paddy Merrigan passes away
Slieve Russell Hotel Golf and Country Club in County Cavan is one of the late Paddy Merrigan's best designs
Irish golf suffered another major loss with the death on Wednesday of the respected golf course designer Paddy Merrigan after a battle with cancer.
Just a few days after the passing of Christy O'Connor Jnr, and coming so soon after Bobby Browne and Arthur Spring went off to design their fairways in heaven, his loss will be sorely felt in the Irish golfing family.
O'Connor Jnr, Merrigan, Spring and Browne left their imprint on some of Ireland's finest courses.
While Eddie Hackett's list of Irish course designs will never be equalled, Paddy Merrigan left his mark on more than 60 courses with Faithleff, Tulfarris, Slieve Russell and the Old Head Golf Links amongst the best.
Some of the courses designed or revamped by Paddy Merrigan:
- Castle Dargan (with Darren Clarke), County Sligo
- Delgany Golf Club in County Wicklow
- Elm Park Golf and Sports Club in County Dublin
- Faithlegg Golf Club in County Waterford
- Grange Castle Golf Club in County Dublin
- Nenagh Golf Club in County Tipperary
- Newcastle West Golf Club in County Limerick
- Old Head Golf Links in County Cork
- Oughterard Golf Club in County Galway
- Rathfarnham Golf Club in County Dublin
- Royal Curragh (redesign), in County Kildare
- Slieve Russell Hotel Golf and Country Club in County Cavan
- Sutton Golf Club in County Dublin
- Tulfarris Golf Club in County Wicklow
- Tullamore Golf Club in County Offaly
- Water Rock Golf Club in County Cork
- Woodenbridge Golf Club in County Wicklow
A funeral service for Paddy Merrigan will be held on Saturday 16th at 3.30pm in the Victorian Chapel at Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross Dublin 6w. (No flowers)
As for Christy O'Connor Jnr, the outpouring of positive stories about the Galway man since his sudden death in Tenerife on January 6 at the age of 67 is a testament to his popularity.
Newstalk spoke to Roddy Carr and Paul McGinley before re-running a 2012 interview with O'Connor Jnr that was recorded to coincide with the launch of his autobiograph.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamnacha
Harrington keeps up positive vibes with 66 in Sony Open; McDowell forced to battle
Pádraig Harrington
Pádraig Harrington's positive start to 2016 continued in Honolulu when he opening with a four under par 66 in the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club.
The 44-year old claimed his first top 10 finish for 10 months in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions on Maui last week, taking a share of sixth place, albeit it 13 strokes behind runaway winner Jordan Spieth.
Ranked 120th in the world, he needs a win or a handful of big finishes, to qualify for the Masters and boost what he admitted over the winter were his slim chances of making Darren Clarke's Ryder Cup team.
While his odds are lengthening with each passing season, he cannot be dismissed as a major championship threat having led The Open after 59 holes last year before a lost ball at the 60th resulted in a dispiriting slide to 20th place.
His good golf is still good enough but it remains to be seen if he can get his game to a consistently high level again — the benchmark when it comes to regularly getting into contention for golf's major titles.
His putting, much improved over the past 18 months, is still liable to fail, as he showed when (according to Shotlink) he missed a two footer for par at the opening hole last night.
After that early mistake, Harrington kept the errors off his card for the remainder of the day, clocking up just 26 putts in a five-birdie round for an 11-way share of 11th place.
To avoid more bogeys he had to pull off some trademark escapes, such as a 15 footer for par at the 16th — a hooked drive forced him to get up and down from the left rough for his four — or the par-three 17th, where he chipped to six feet and holed the putt.
He's four shots off the pace set by veteran Vijay Singh, Ricky Barnes and Morgan Hoffman with seven under par 63s for a one shot lead over Korea's Si Woo Kim.
Graeme McDowell, 57th in the world following his 29th place finish last week, opened with a level par 70 to find himself tied for 79th.
Starting on the back nine, the Rathmore player had an average day off the tee and dropped early shots at the 14th and 17th before a two putt birdie at the par-five 18th and a chip in from 39 yards at the first got him back to level.
After following four battling pars with a three-putt bogey from just over 50 feet at the par-three seventh, McDowell got up and down from 52 yards for birdie at the ninth, where he holed a 10 footer.
Phelan heads Irish at Joburg Open
Mount Juliet's Kevin Phelan
Mount Juliet’s Kevin Phelan dropped just one shot in a three under 68 to lead the Irish challenge after the opening round of the Joburg Open.
As Paul Dunne, Ruaidhri McGee and Michael Hoey posted one under 71s on the East Course at at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, Phelan did his scoring on the easier West to share 26th place behind South Africa’s Justin Walters.
Walters fired a seven under par 65 on the tougher East Course at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club to move one ahead of six players.
Swedes Michael Jonzon and Johan Carlsson and South African Haydn Porteous signed for 66s on the East Course, while English duo David Howell and Anthony Wall and Zimbabwean Mark Williams carded 65s on the par 71 West layout.
A field of 210, the biggest of the season, had gathered in Gauteng with three places at The Open Championship available to non-exempt players who finish in the top ten.
And with only five players - including Howell - in the field currently exempt, this week presents a golden opportunity to get to Royal Troon in July.
Ernie Els, making his debut on at the Joburg Open, was one under after a 70 on the West Course with playing partner Brandon Stone, who won last week at Glendower Golf Club, a shot ahead.
Late double dents Kearney's Asian Tour Q-School challenge
HUA-HIN-THAILAND - Kevin Mclister of USA in action during round two of the Asian Tour final stage qualifying school on Thursday, January 14, 2016, at the Springfield Royal Country Club, Hua Hin, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney only made the halfway cut by the skin of his teeth after a damaging double bogey on his final hole in the Asian Tour Q-School in Thailand.
The two-time Irish Professional champion took six on the ninth at Springfield Royal Country Club in a four over par 75 that saw him slip from 18th to tied 97th with two rounds to go.
Only the top 100 and ties made the cut and Kearney made it on the one over par limit in the race to finish inside the crucial top 40 and ties following the last two rounds over the Springfield Royal Course in Hua Hin.
Kearney is just four strokes outside the top 40 and ties but a massive 13 shots behind American Kevin McLister, who shot a five-under par 66 to lead by one shot at the halfway stage on 12 under par.
The 26-year-old American, who missed the halfway cut in his first attempt at the Qualifying School last year, fired seven birdies against two bogeys at the Springfield Royal Country Club
India’s Chikkarangappa S. put himself in contention at the Qualifying School for the second year straight when he carded a flawless 64 thanks to one eagle and five birdies at the Imperial Lakeview Golf Club to take second place.
Kearney made two birdies and four bogeys in his first 13 holes before a six on the ninth left him perilously close to the cut mark.
Leading second round scores:130 - Kevin MCLISTER (USA) 64 66
131 - Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 67 64
132 - Tom JOHNSON (USA) 65 67
133 - Michael WRIGHT (AUS) 66 67, Yikeun CHANG (KOR) 63 70
134 - Kodai ICHIHARA (JPN) 66 68
135 - Sebastian HEISELE (GER) 68 67, Marcus BOTH (AUS) 68 67, Thriston LAWRENCE (RSA) 66 69
136 - Wolmer MURILLO (VEN) 68 68
137 - Seunghyun CHOI (KOR) 72 65, Jobim CARLOS (A) (PHI) 69 68, Victor OSTERBY (DEN) 70 67, Shubhankar SHARMA (IND) 68 69, Darren TAN (AUS) 69 68
138 - Lindsay RENOLDS (CAN) 73 65, Raphael DE SOUSA (SUI) 69 69, Scott VINCENT (ZIM) 70 68, Niclas JOHANSSON (SWE) 68 70, Johannes VEERMAN (USA) 70 68, Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) 68 70, Richard JUNG (CAN) 69 69, George GANDRANATA (INA) 72 66, Shunya TAKEYASU (JPN) 69 69, Tichakorn SAWADEE (THA) 69 69, Rory HIE (INA) 68 70, Hamza AMIN (PAK) 72 66, Quincy QUEK (SIN) 66 72
Another Open qualifying chance for Paul Dunne
Paul Dunne in action at Leopard Creek Country Club in South Africa last November. Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Paul Dunne will have a chance to secure his third Open Championship appearance in a row and his first as a professional when he finally gets 2016 underway in this week's Joburg Open.
Illness forced the Greystones player to withdraw before the start of last week's BMW SA Open. But he's expected to tee it up at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington, where he will be trying to win the tournament and one of three places at Royal Troon via the Open Qualifying Series.
The leading three players, who finish in the top 10 and ties and who are not already exempt, will earn a place in The Open from 14-17 July.
Dunne qualified via Final Qualifying at Woburn both in 2014 and last year, when he went on to play brilliantly and joint lead into the final round over the Old Course at St Andrews, eventually finishing tied 30th after a 78.
The 23-year old is keen to build on that experience and also to win on the European Tour. And the Joburg Open, where he will tee it up on the East Course today with South Africans Breyten Meyer and Andrew Curlewis, could be a good place to start.
There are just four of the world's top 100 in the field while the Irish challenge is completed by Michael Hoey, Ruaidhri McGee and Kevin Phelan.
Players in the field at the 2016 Joburg Open who are already exempt for The Open at Royal Troon are Ernie Els, David Howell, Paul Lawrie and Jaco Van Zyl
In the event of a tie for a qualifying place, the player with the higher ranking in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) at the beginning of the week commencing 11 January will be awarded a place at Royal Troon.
A total of 44 places in The Open are available through The Open Qualifying Series (TOQS), which gives players the opportunity to qualify at events around the world on the PGA TOUR, the European Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Asian Tour, the Japan Golf Tour and the Sunshine Tour.
The Emirates Australian Open was the first chance for players to secure a place in golf’s most international Major Championship, followed by the Thailand Golf Championship in December 2015. The Series continues at the Joburg Open in South Africa in January and the Mizuno Open in Japan in May.
Three events on the European Tour are included in the Series, the Nordea Masters, the ALSTOM Open de France and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. On the PGA TOUR, the FedEx St Jude Classic, the Quicken Loans National and the Greenbrier Classic will all offer places in The Open.
The Open Qualifying Series (TOQS) will offer the following qualification places in The 145TH Open:
The Open Qualifying SeriesEvent No of places Detail- TOQS-Australia — Emirates Australian Open 3. Three places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties
- TOQS-Thailand — Thailand Golf Championship 4. Four places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties
- TOQS-South Africa — Joburg Open 3. Three places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties
- TOQS-Japan — Mizuno Open 4. Four places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties
- TOQS-Sweden — The Nordea Masters 1. One place to the leading player (not otherwise exempt) who finishes in the top five and ties
- TOQS-France — ALSTOM Open de France 4. Four places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties
- TOQS-Scotland — Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open 4. Four places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties
- TOQS-USA — FedEx St Jude Classic 4. Four places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties
- TOQS-USA — Quicken Loans National 4. Four places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties
- TOQS-USA — The Greenbrier Classic 1. One place to the leading player (not otherwise exempt) who finishes in the top five and ties
- TOQS-Final Qualifying — Gailes Links, Hillside, Royal Cinque Ports, Woburn (Marquess') 12. Three places available at each venue
NB: Any player who has qualified through The Open Qualifying Series is deemed an exempt player. In the event that that player subsequently fulfils other exemption categories those places in the starting field will be subject to Section F of The Open Entry Form.
Strong start for Kearney at Asian Tour Q-School
Niall Kearney. Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images
Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney got off to a superb start in the first round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School presented by Sports Authority of Thailand on Wednesday.
The two time Irish Professional champion bogeyed the first and third on the Lake Course at Springfield Royal Country Club but erased those errors with five birdies in a three under 68 worth a share of 18th place in the race to finish in the top 40 who get full cards after 72 holes.
Kearney birdied the second, fifth and eighth to turn in 34 and then picked up two more shots coming home with further birdies at the 10th and 11th.
Korea’s Yikeun Chan made three eagles in a nine under par 63 on the Springfield Royal Course to lead by one stroke from American Kevin McLister with another American, Tom Johnson, alone in third after a 65.
A total of 244 players teed it up in the Final Stage where the top-40 and ties will earn an Asian Tour card for the 2016 season.
The first two rounds are played over the Imperial Lakeview and Springfield Royal courses with the top-100 and ties qualifying for the final two rounds at Springfield Royal
Chang, 22, hit an eight iron to three feet at the fifth to set up the first of his three eagle threes before holing a five-footer on 12 and a 20-footer on the 18th.
“This is the first time I had three eagles in a round,” he said. "I eagled all the par-fives at the Springfield Royal Country Club. I hit the ball really good. I knew I had to hit it good on the front nine because it gets pretty tough when the wind gets up on the back nine.
"I was trying to hit the greens and make putts out there.”
Kearney came through the first stage of the Asian Tour Q-School with just a shot to spare at Springfield Royal last Saturday but Headfort’s Rory McNamara missed out by eight shots at nearby Windsor Park on one over.
Harrington impressed by Learning Centre; recalls Christy Jnr "double act" with Darcy
Tadhg Harrington, Padraig Harrington and Stephen Ennis at the opening of The Learning Centre at Balcarrick Golf Club
Padraig Harrington's brilliant start to the season is a great advertisement for proper winter practice. And that will have pleased his brother Tadhg, who has just opened The Learning Centre at Balcarrick Golf Club in conjunction with local professional Stephen Ennis.
Players sign on for a six-month tuition programme that uses the latest, state of the art technology, video analysis and monitoring to help ambitious golfers achieve major improvements.
Those who are accepted into the programme have two, two-hour sessions per month with compulsory check-ups in between to ensure they are up to speed with their drills and doing them correctly.
Covering the long game, short game, physical fitness, mental skills, and competition performance the six-month commitment from pupils and teachers appeals to three-time Major winner Harrington, who attended the opening recently.
"I like this concept," Harrington told the Irish Independent. "The uniqueness is the fact of the commitment from both sides. "It has always been the bane of the PGA pros - 'I've given him a quick fix this week, will he come back to me next week?'
"The difference here is they're looking for a different sort of person. They are looking for that person who genuinely wants to change, and maybe not the easy change or the soft change.
"They're looking for that person, the good amateur who's not quite making the grade. They're looking for the young pro who's not quite there.
"They're looking for the retiree who's saying, 'Right, I'm going to get to single figures.'
"It's for somebody who already has a goal in their own life. They're not providing the goal. You come with the goal, and they'll figure out how to get you there," he said.
Harrington recorded his first top 10 for 10 months when he finished tied sixth in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Sunday, moving up 22 places to 120th in the world rankings ahead of this week's Sony Open.
As a result, the 44-year old Dubliner was unable to join Des Smyth, Eamonn Darcy and other Irish tour players for Christy O'Connor Jnr's funeral in Galway on Tuesday.
Despite that he too a moment to remember "Junior" and his other mentors with affection when asked about his early days on tour by AP golf writer Doug Ferguson.
"It was a big bunch of us at the time, nearly 12 of us at dinner every night," he said. "Socially, it was brilliant. A big part of having the elder guys is we weren't going to get too cocky around them. Des was 'Dad.' Christy and Eamonn were like a double act. They were fantastic."O'Driscoll fifth in Copa Andalucia; O'Rourke seventh
Tommy O'Driscoll (left) with his brother Eamonn following his fifth place finish in the Copa Andalucía
Killarney's Tommy O'Driscoll closed with a five under 67 to finish fifth in the Copa Andalucía at the Real Club de Golf Guadalmina near Marbella.
The 19-year old (71-71-77-67), who plans to play on the Alps Tour this year, made six birdies and just one bogey on the final day to end the 72-hole event on two under par.
The former Boys international finished a massive 10 strokes behind world amateur No 19 Ivan Cantero, who closed with a 66 to win by an impressive eight shots from compatriot Pablo Heredia on 12 under par 276.
Naas' Conor O'Rourke (75-72-70-71), called up to the Irish senior panel for 2016, had five birdies in a one under par 71 to claim a creditable seventh place on level par 288 with clubmate Jonathan Yates (74-82-71 -80) slipping to 50th after a closing 80.
O'Driscoll had a good day on the greens thanks to the green-reading skills of his brother Eamonn, who carried his bag having missed the cut.
Singh and Clarke braced for EurAsia Cup battle
Captains Darren Clarke and Jeev Milkha Singh are predicting another close contest when the cream of Europe goes up against the might of Asia in the second edition of the EURASIA CUP presented by DRB-HICOM, writes the European Tour.
The inaugural tournament in 2014 ended 10-10 after a thrilling final day fightback by the Asian team and, given how closely the sides are again matched this week, neither man would be surprised if it were to end in another draw at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
Clarke, who can call on the might of Ryder Cup veterans Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood in his 12-strong team, believes that whilst Europe may boast a marginally stronger line-up on paper, home advantage could prove pivotal for Singh’s side.
He said: “We are playing in the Asian team’s backyard, so they are a bit more used to the heat and humidity than we are, which may give them a bit of an advantage. When the humidity comes with this sort of heat, it is quite oppressive. And it probably feels even hotter than the last time we were here. But with the co-sanctioned events we have in Asia, the Europeans do have experience playing here.
“So it’s too close to call, and I think there’s a pretty good chance it could end in another draw. You have two very strong teams, and because it’s match play anything could happen. Hopefully it will be every bit as exciting as last time. Although I don’t know how our nerves will be at the end of the week!”
Those sentiments were echoed by Singh, who revealed it was an honour to be asked to follow Thongchai Jaidee as captain of the Asian team.
Much like his predecessor, the genial Indian has vowed to adopt a relaxed approach to the role and will allow his charges to express themselves.
“I believe in our players,” Singh said. “I know that all of them have the experience. They are used to the weather. They have played in Asia many times, and they play these kind of courses all the time.
“So I just basically have to make sure they are comfortable, happy, and relaxed. When all of these things are given to him, that’s when a player plays his best. And I don’t even have to tell them to try their best, because I know they are all going to give 100 per cent.”
The action gets underway on Friday with six fourball matches, followed by the foursomes on Saturday and concluding with Sunday’s 12 singles matches.
Harrington re-signs with Wilson Golf
Eighteen years since he first signed with the brand, three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington has again pledged his allegiance to Wilson Golf in a deal that will see him continue to play Wilson Staff clubs on a global stage.
The 44-year, who won on the PGA Tour last year and finished tied sixth as the leading European at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii last weekend, will be joined in using Wilson Staff equipment at leading tournaments by Marcel Siem from Germany and Englishman Anthony Wall.
In winning three Majors in 13 months with Wilson Staff clubs, Harrington became the first European player to win back-to-back Open Championships and the first to defend his title since James Braid in 1906.
Wall has been a Wilson Staff player since 2004 and returned to form last year with a strong performance at The Open, while Marcel won the BMW Masters in China and enjoyed his best season on Tour after signing with the brand in 2014.
Harrington will continue to play with the Wilson Staff FG Tour irons that helped him last February to win his second Honda Classic title in a decade.
Alongside them in his Wilson Staff Pro Tour bag are FG Tour wedges, the latest hybrids and the Infinite South Side putter. The Wilson Staff brand logo also features prominently on his headwear. Both Wall and Siem play the same irons, hybrids and wedges and wear similar headwear branding.
“My association with Wilson Staff clubs is one of the longest and most successful in the game and I’m delighted to see it continue,” Harrington said. “I can always rely on Wilson Staff clubs when I get into contention and the support I get out on the Tour is second to none.”
In his role as a Wilson Staff Advisory Member, Harrington will continue to play a part in developing new clubs for the brand that has delivered an unrivalled number of Major wins with its irons (61) and wedges (82).
Commenting on the retention of the three European stars for the 2016 season, Doug Wright, Global Commercial Director of Wilson Golf said: “Padraig, Marcel and Anthony are genuine brand ambassadors who contribute a great deal both on and off the course to the progress of the Wilson Staff equipment on offer to golfers of all abilities.”
For more information on Wilson Staff clubs, visit www.wilson-staff.com
Dominant Spieth moves further ahead at No 1; Harrington begins Masters climb
Most PGA TOUR wins before age 23 (since 1970): Tiger Woods, 7 Jordan Spieth, 7 Rory McIlroy, 3 Sergio Garcia, 3 pic.twitter.com/D6EjvPeFuZ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 11, 2016Rory McIlroy observers expect the former world No 1 to sweep back to the top with a dominant display in 2016. He may well do so but the Co Down man has his work cut out on the evidence of Jordan Spieth's impressive victory in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
The 22 year old Texan crushed the winners-only field by eight strokes over the Plantation Course at Kapalua, closing with a six-under 67 to become only the second player in PGA TOUR history to finish a 72-hole tournament at 30-under par or lower.
An 8-foot birdie on the final hole put him at 30-under 262, one short of the record Ernie Els set at Kapalua in 2003.
It was Spieth's eighth win since he captured the 2014 Emirates Australian Open with a closing 63, leaving McIlroy 15 strokes behind. He also matches Tiger Woods in the list of players with the most PGA Tour wins before age 23 (since 1970) with seven — four more than Rory McIlroy or Sergio Garcia.
The Hyundai Tournament of Champions was also a good week for Pádraig Harrington, who closed with a six under par 67 to snatch a share of sixth place on 17 under and his first Top 10 anywhere since he won the Honda Classic last year.
The 44-year old Dubliner rises 22 places to 120th in the world as he battles to return to the top 50 who will qualify for the Masters in April.
Patrick Reed's last four finishes worldwide ... • Solo second • Solo second • Tied for 10th • Solo second pic.twitter.com/jA0G2JvQ8U
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 11, 2016Harrington has had just four top 10 finishes in 60 events since January 2014 - a share of fifth int he Volvo Golf Champions two years ago, his wins in the BANK BRI Indonesia Open at the end of 2014 and the Honda Classic last year and Sunday night's T6 in Hawaii.
Graeme McDowell tied for 29th in the 32 player field in Hawaii, posting a two under 71 on the last day.
Both Harrington and McDowell have entered this week's Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.
Darren Clarke (with Shane Lowry in the side), leads Europe against Asia in the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM in Malaysia.
Lowry, who secured the biggest win of his career to date at last year’s WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, said: “I am looking forward to it – to play for Europe at any level is an honour, but to be able to do it as a professional playing alongside so many great players is going to be fantastic.
“One of the main reasons I wanted to play the EURASIA CUP so much was to get invaluable team experience in a Ryder Cup year. A lot of the lads on our team next week are looking to qualify for The Ryder Cup this year and next week gives us a great chance to show Darren what we are capable of and hopefully impress him.”
On the European Tour, Paul Dunne returns to action in the Joburg Open after missing last week's BMW SA Open due to food poisoning.
The Greystones player, who has received invitations for the Farmers Insurance Open and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am on the PGA Tour, is joined at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington by Michael Hoey, Kevin Phelan and Ruaidhri McGee.
Paul Dunne's stock rises with Torrey Pines start and Davy deal
Paul Dunne shows off his Davy Group logo
Paul Dunne's US PGA Tour debut won't come at Pebble Beach after all but later this month in the $6.5 million Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
The Co Wicklow star, who rose to fame by leading the Open in the final round as an amateur last year before winning the Walker Cup and his European tour card, has received an invitation to join the likes of Shane Lowry, Dustin Johnson and three-time winner Phil Mickelson in La Jolla from January 28-31.
It remains to be seen if Dunne can secure a place alongside Lowry and Pádraig Harrington in the following week's Waste Management Open in Phoenix before joining the Irish duo at Pebble Beach for the AT&T Pro-Am from February 11-14.
A stomach bug forced Dunne to withdraw from this week's BMW SA Open in Johannesburg before the first round.
However, the 23-year old plans to tee it up in the Joburg Open next week with a new sponsor in his stable after signing a two-year deal with wealth management provider, The Davy Group.
According to Davy, the young and ambitious Dunne is "a natural fit" for the Davy Group brand and will wear the company logo on his clothing.
Davy will help Dunne look at his future financial planning with Brian McKiernan, CEO of the Davy Group, adding: "For over 90 years Davy has consistently invested in talent and ambition to deliver the best results for our clients.
"As an Irish owned business we are delighted to support Paul as he begins his journey to compete with the best golfers in the world and continue a proud tradition of Irish golfing
Dunne said: "I am really excited to have The Davy Group supporting me as I embark on my European Tour career. It’s great to be associated with a Dublin based company, and I look forward to working with them in the months ahead.
"I hope I can give the company some great exposure as I compete around the world."
Tommy O'Driscoll to turn pro next month; Alps Tour beckons
Tommy O'Driscoll with the 2014 Ulster Boys trophy
Killarney's Tommy O'Driscoll has decided to bite the bullet and turn professional before the first Alps Tour event of the season next month.
The 19-year old former Boys international will say goodbye to the amateur ranks at next week's Copa Andalucia in Spain, where he will be joined by Waterford's Eanna Griffin, Naas duo Conor O'Rourke and Jonathan Yates and New Mexico based Limerick talent Mark MacGrath.
An Alps Tour card winner as an amateur at last December's Qualifying School in Spain, O'Driscoll said: "After due consideration and having taken on board the opinion of many others, I have decided to commit myself to the Alps Tour in 2016.
"There are 20 events which will involve a lot of travel to different countries so it's an opportunity for me to really find out about myself and my game.
"There will be a big learning curve, but having already experienced what it's like having played in three events in three different countries in 2015, I feel that I am ready for the challenge.
"It's exciting and something to really look forward to in 2016."
Paul Dunne set for Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Open Championship hero Paul Dunne will get his first taste of PGA Tour action in next month’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California.
The 23-year old from Greystones has landed a precious invitation to tee it up alongside Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and PGA Tour stars such as Phil Mickelson, Jason Day and Bubba Watson at Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Country Club’s Shore Course from February 11-14
“It's an exciting opportunity for me to play in a world class field on one of the world’s best golf courses,” said Dunne, who spent four years in the US playing collegiate golf for the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB).
Well this arrival in the post this morning brightens up a dull day! Officially have my tour card! #happyman pic.twitter.com/LqkNNqGirU
— Paul Dunne (@dunners11) December 21, 2015Dunne has no other PGA Tour invitations lined up and will make to make his 2016 debut on the European Tour starting with next week’s BMW SA Open hosted by City of Ekurhuleni at Glendower Golf Club and the following week’s Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington.
While he brilliantly earned his European Tour card at the Qualifying School last November, Dunne’s Category 16 card does not guarantee him starts in any of the desert swing events, though he may receive invitations.
“I'm playing the first two European Tour events in South Africa, but my category gets me into no desert events so we will see,” he said.
Dunne is the only Irish player currently in the BMW SA Open field but he will be joined in the Joburg Open by Peter Lawrie, Kevin Phelan and Ruaidhri McGee.
UAB graduate Graeme McDowell won the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach and Dunne is simply happy to get a game there.
“I’ve played at Bayonet and Black Horse, which are not too far away,” Dunne said. “I’ve only walked Pebble. It's amazing.”
Grehan and Dawson finish well in Arizona
Great pitch from @dawson_robin on No18 #nipped. He's +2 thru 8 holes currently lies T46th #PatriotGolfAZ #MU_Golf pic.twitter.com/7EKMXLB0ja
— Harrington Scholars (@MU_Golf) December 31, 2015Maynooth University's Stuart Grehan and Robin Dawson finished strongly in the Patriot All-America event in Arizona.
East and South of Ireland winner Grehan made an eagle, two birdies and four bogeys in a level par 71 to finish tied 15th on six over par at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park.
He ended the 54-hole event eight strokes behind Braden Thornberry, who shot a 71 to win by one stroke on two under 211 from David Kocher (69) and overnight leader Adam Wood (73).
Fathlegg player Dawson made four birdies in one over par 72 to share 36th spot on 13 over par.
Really good week @PatriotAllAm! Really enjoyed it and probably the toughest course I have played! @MU_Golf #onwards #golf
— Stuart Grehan (@Stewyy69) January 1, 2016All set for the final RND @PatriotAllAm with @dawson_robin @Stewyy69. Goodluck lads #GoLow #PatriotGolfAZ #MU_Golf pic.twitter.com/XfTCdquKYr
— Harrington Scholars (@MU_Golf) December 31, 2015@Stewyy69 +1 thru 8 holes. Currently lies T20th. Live scoring at: https://t.co/qodlZ1QmTd #PatriotGolfAZ #MU_Golf pic.twitter.com/AwZE4BBmdn
— Harrington Scholars (@MU_Golf) December 31, 2015Rosses Point changes taking shape
County Sligo Golf Club
The new year will bring many changes in the game and some of them will be in evidence at County Sligo Golf Club for the West of Ireland Amateur Open at Easter.
The great Harry Colt track is undergoing a major upgrade under the watchful eye of Pat Ruddy and many of the first phase changes, additions and enhancements will be in play when the curtain-raising “West” takes place at the Rosses Point links from March 25-29.
A run of good weather in the period before Christmas proved conducive to progress with new fairway bunkering on the sixth and seventh, an extension to the 10th green and the construction of a new 11th tee all complete.
Bunkers on 6th complete @CountySligoGC #westofireland #sligo @wildatlanticway pic.twitter.com/aPPy2p1KOy
— County Sligo GC (@CountySligoGC) December 22, 2015New bunker left of 2nd fairway @CountySligoGC! A good addition to the hole in my eyes! pic.twitter.com/uldCKx3DN8
— Barry Anderson (@Banterson_) December 26, 2015There are plans to add five fairway bunkers to the 12th later this month and complete the new fairway bunker on the left side of the 11th.
The "new” first, second and third greens will be in play for the West as well as the new fairway bunker on the second, the new fifth tee and the remodelled sixth green.
The new fairway bunkers on the sixth and seventh (20m beyond the two bunkers on the right) will be of the risk-reward variety and offer players who are trapped the chance to take on the green if they draw a decent lie.
The extension to the seventh green has also been done but while it brings the stream more into play and leads straight to the new, eighth tee (15m further back), it won’t be in play until the end of 2016.
We're told the club has received positive feedback from members and visitors on the changes carried out so far but there are no plans to begin work on the second phase of the redevelopment plan until the first phase has been completed.
Bunkers on 6th complete @CountySligoGC #westofireland #sligo @wildatlanticway pic.twitter.com/aPPy2p1KOy
— County Sligo GC (@CountySligoGC) December 22, 2015Plans are in place to budget for the proposed Phase Two changes to the 14th, 15th and 17th holes and present those plans to the members.
We understand that a new 14th tee would be built further back up the hill with two new fairway bunkers down the right hand side. The green would then be flipped over on itself into the hill on the right, closer to the beach and the stream that traverses the fairway.
This would clear the congestion in the current 15th/7th tee area and there would then be room for a new tee for seventh on the medal/championship tee for the 15th.
Changes to the 15th have yet to be decided but it is possible that the green could be moved 25m further back into the rough.
As for the famous 17th hole, there are plans for a fairway bunker on the right and another bunker on the hill on the left. The elevated green could be extended to the right and the false front removed, increasing the number of viable pin positions.
A lifetime at Lahinch; Robert McCavery and a family tradition
PGA professional Robert McCavery, who retired in 2015 after a 54-year relationship with Lahinch
A few years before Alister MacKenzie journeyed to Georgia to build Augusta National with Bobby Jones, he spent considerable time in Co Clare, redesigning Lahinch Golf Club with the help of the professional Bill McCavery.
A native of Newcastle, where he’d served his apprenticeship at Royal County Down under Mr Robertson, McCavery had jumped at the chance to move to Lahinch in 1927 and help MacKenzie with the layout of the new links.
He remained there as head professional until he passed away just 48 hours after Lahinch had staged the Home Internationals in 1987 and it fell to his son Robert, who has recently retired after 54 years at the renowned links, to assume the reins.
In his book, a century of Golf at Lahinch, Enda Glynn writes that Bill McCavery was appointed for a term of six weeks and his first wage was £3 a week.
“Because of his Northern Protestant background and with the memories of the War of Independence still fresh, it was a difficult transition for ‘Gentle Bill’. But he made Lahinch his new home, married a local woman and gave his life to Lahinch Golf Club.”
His work in laying out the new links under MacKenzie cannot be understated, though his son has come way with this memory of the great architect.
“He just said MacKenzie was an awkward man to work for — very demanding and very cranky,” Robert said when recalling his father’s memories of the creation of the Lahinch we know today.
Cranky or not, MacKenzie’s handiwork eventually proved to be good for the McCavery family as the links’ fame eventually spread worldwide.
No doubt it was old Bill’s attention to detail that helped. He arrived for work at 8.30am every morning and worked until dark.
“As he made his way home for lunch, he examined the second green and removed any undesirable grass from the green. Bill McCavery gave wonderful attention to detail. As he went around the links, he always carried a scissors in his pocket. He used it to cut any weeds from the greens or unusual grass from around the holes.
“His only break from work was a few holes on Saturday afternoons with some local members, When Summer came, they left him to play with visiting golfers. When they returned again to play with Bill in the Autumn, he always greeted them: ‘When all fruits fails, welcome haws.’”
“Lahinch will make the finest and most popular golf course that I, or I believe anyone else, ever constructed,” MacKenzie had said. The cost of the development was set at £2,000 and both the golf club and the town of Lahinch has certainly made good on the investment since then.
In fact, Lahinch has been utterly transformed over the past 50 years and the days of Percy French’s “Are Ye Right There Michael” are now very much a thing of the past.
The famous song was composed at the turn of the 20th century, when Lahinch Golf Club in its infancy. It was created to parody the state of the West Clare Railway system , which stopped at Lahinch and helped keep the great Lahinch Golf Links Hotel (burned to the ground in 1931) well stocked with golfers.
Because of a slow train and the decision of the driver to stop for no apparent reason, French, though having left Sligo in the early morning, arrived so late for an 8pm recital that the audience had left. He was sued for libel by the railway but arrived late for the hearing. Asked why he was late, he told the judge, he’d arrived by the West Clare Railway. Needless to say, the case was struck out.
West Clare was another world in the 1920s and 1930s and when Robert was born in 1941, it was still a quiet backwater, even if the annual South of Ireland Amateur drew some visitors in summer.
“There are thousand in the village in the summer now,” he says. “In my time, Lahinch was just the main street and a few side streets but there are houses all the way to Ennistymon now.”
Robert with Phil Mickelson...
Glynn writes how McCavery Snr would use one of his favourite sayings when greeting the annual Lahinch visitor: “Welcome back to the salty waters.”
Still, it was the centre of the universe for Robert, especially when the South was in full swing.
“I saw a lot of finals,” he says. “From 1948 I saw most of them. But Lahinch was a very quiet place in those days. The village population was no more than a couple of hundred and there was nothing to do except play golf. So most people played golf as there was no GAA or hurling team in the town at the time.”
McCavery vividly remembers John Burke, winner of 11 South of Irelands.
“He was good. Very good,” he says. “He had a very good short game.”
That’s exactly what’s required to do well at Lahinch, especially when the wind is blowing. And event though is has changed greatly since the last batch of changes were made by Martin Hawtree at the turn of the century, “ground hurling” still works well.
“The changes have been a marvellous improvement because up to that the course was not always in great repair. Now it is has been in top condition for the last 15 years.
... and Tom Watson
“Back in the 1950s, the only visitors were the ones from Galway or Limerick or Ennis, or occasionally from Dublin. The Americans didn’t start coming until the mid 1960s when TV became popular and golf took off in Ireland after we won the Canada Cup.”
Slowly, life changed for the club professional at Lahinch, who only worked for seven months a year until more recent times.
“My son works up at the club at the shop now and he does five days week, eight hours a day. But in my day, we had seven days a week for seven months and then it was quiet.
“The season started in March in those days and went on until the end of August. Then there was a members’ week in September and after that the locals would play. Winter was quiet with the bad weather in the west, with all that wind and rain.
“Keeping the ball low to the ground was always the way to play Lahinch. Leave the wedge in the bag on a windy day and just get that chip and run shot going.”
Robert didn’t get a huge amount of time to hone his own game but there was a period in the 1960s and 70s when he made it his business to get out and about on the Irish circuit.
It wasn’t easy in an era when money was scarce and transport tough to come by.
“You could get the West Clare Railway until the end of the 1950s but it was very difficult to get around in those times. We didn’t have cars and there were that many cars in the country in the 60s and 70s anyway. So if I wanted to go to Dublin or Dundalk to play golf, I had to get a lift from one of the boys. It was a full day for me to travel to Milltown in Dublin and a full day job to get to Warrenpoint and a full day to get back. But I loved it, loved to play in an Irish Championship or a Pro-Am.”
In an era when visitors were still thin on the ground and the members of Lahinch paid just three guineas a year in fees, club repair and club-making, which he had learned from his father, was all part of a day’s work.
The former professional's shop at Lahinch.
“My first memories of Lahinch were starting out as a caddie when I was a youngster,” Robert recalls. “I went to the Christian Brothers in Ennistymon, left in 1959 and started my apprenticeship with my father.
“We did a lot of club-making in those days. It really was the big thing. There was no such thing as Ping or Titleist or TaylorMade back then as far as we were concerned.
“We’d make woods by the batch, which was what all the pros in the country did at that time. You’d shape the heads and insert the lead behind the head and under the plate. Then the club would be plated and shafted and varnished and gripped. It was a very satisfying way to work and I still make wooden putters with wooden shafts, though I need an operation on my hand right now.”
An honorary life member of the club, Robert is a living link, a precious connection between the great origins of Lahinch and the characters that made it the much loved club it remains today.
“I had 54 years of life as a PGA professional and I would thoroughly recommend it,” he says with obvious pride. “You always meet nice people in my line of work and I made more than my share of friends, both from here and abroad.
“As the assistant, I was the one shoved out to play with many visitors because the Americans loved to play with the pro. It was a pleasure to do it and I still have all those pictures I used to have up in the shop.
“Of course, the big stars came too — Ken Venturi was one of the first overseas members and there was Tom Watson and Phil Mickelson and all the others that came after them.
“It’s was a very healthy place to live and work and that’s what I enjoyed most about it. I was out in the fresh air, working in a beautiful place with great colleagues and meeting wonderful people from all over the world. What more could you want.”
Fighting Irish show desert grit
Robin Dawson
Maynooth University’s Robin Dawson and Stuart Grehan showed their fighting qualities in the second round of the Patriot All-America Invitational in Arizona.
Faithlegg’s Dawson recovered from an opening 81 with a 73 to move up to tied 48th heading into today’s third and final round.
And while East and South of Ireland win Grehan slipped from tied ninth to 17th on six over, nine shots off the lead, he did well to post a second round 76 after ballooning to five over par after six holes.
Scholar @dawson_robin going with a 3wood for position on No8 in RND 2 2day @PatriotAllAm #PatriotGolfAZ #MU-_Golf pic.twitter.com/SZI7FNseCJ
— Harrington Scholars (@MU_Golf) December 31, 2015“Today was a little different story to yesterday,” the Tullamore player explained. "I didn't hit the ball as well off the tee and the course is punishing for any sort of poor shot.
"I got off to a poor start with a bogey on No 1 and a triple bogey 8 on the par-five fourth and I was five over after six holes and fearing the worst.
“But I managed to steady the ship and ground out level for the remaining 12 holes which was a good effort on this course. I'm just going to go out there tomorrow and enjoy it and see what happens.”
Dawson scored poorly on day one but he was far more efficient in the second round, posting a two over par 73.
"I hit the ball as well as I did in round one but managed to score much better and played the par fives in four shots better overall,” Dawson said.
"I felt much more comfortable on the course and I was better able to focus on each shot throughout the round."
Duke University’s Adam Wood posted a one-under-70 to lead on three under on the Gold Course at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park.
Adam Wood
University of Mississippi’s Braden Thornberry was the biggest mover of the day, firing a four under 67 to move up 14 spots to second place, one shot off the pace.
The Patriot All America is a 54-hole event featuring 84 collegiate players including one player from each military academy and select international players compete in a 54-hole championship.
Each player honours the US military by carrying a bag with the name, rank and service of a fallen or severely wounded soldier embroidered on the pocket.
Following the championship, the bags go to the players’ school for auction, with proceeds benefiting the "Folds of Honour".
For more information, visit www.patriotallamerica.com.
Top 10 Individual Results1. Adam Wood 69-70=139 (-3)
2. Braden Thornberry 73-67=140 (-2)
T3. Carson Jacobs 71-71=142 (E)
T3. Shotaro Ban 70-72=142 (E)
T3. Chris O’Neill 70-72=142 (E)
6. David Kocher 72-71=143 (+1)
7. Sean Crocker 71-73=144 (+2)
T8. George Cunningham 69-76=145 (+3)
T8. Will Grimmer 74-71=145 (+3)
T8. Chris Petefish 72-73=145 (+3)
T8. Carson Schaake 71-74=145 (+3)
T17 Stuart Grehan 72-76=148 (+6)
T48 Robin Dawson 81-73=154 (+12)
Stuart Grehan tied ninth in Arizona; Dawson struggling
Stuart Grehan (left) and Robin Dawson in Arizona. Picture via @MU_Golf
Stuart Grehan is just four shots off the pace after the opening 72 in the Patriot All-America Invitational in Arizona.
As Faithlegg’s Robin Dawson opened with a disappointing, 10 over 81 to share 70th, reigning East and South of Ireland champion Grehan posted a one over par round to trail Italy’s Federico Zucchetto by just four strokes at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park.
Warming up with @dawson_robin on practise area. He's off at 10:50 (17:50 Irish time) on No1 #PatriotGolfAZ #MU_Golf pic.twitter.com/U70Bkp1WHe
— Harrington Scholars (@MU_Golf) December 29, 2015Last year’s runner-up George Cunningham and Adam Wood sit on stroke back after two-under 69s with Maynooth University’s Grehan tied for ninth.
"I played solid golf today,” Grehan said. “The course was setup was tough and I needed to respect some pins. I started off the 10th tee and got off to a nice start.
"I was two under after five and stayed that way until 18 where I three-putted from the back edge for bogey to be out in one under.
"I played nicely on the front nine also but made a poor swing on the fifth tee where I pulled a drive into the wasteland and had to chip out and didn't salvage a par.
"Then had a poor three-putt for bogey on the par-three sixth and I had chances on seventh and eighth from close range but narrowly missed.
"My game is in good shape and I plan on staying focused and working on the speed of the greens and see where I stand at the end of the week."
The Wigwam Gold Course s a tough test according to Maynooth University’s Barry Fennelly.
1st tee announcement for @dawson_robin honouring Irish patriot Padraig Pearse @ireland2016 #PatriotGolfAZ #MU_Golf pic.twitter.com/UMb8De4C32
— Harrington Scholars (@MU_Golf) December 29, 2015"It's a long track and the greens are very difficult — quite undulating and are running firm and fast. It is difficult to get close to the pins even with wedge a hand,” Fennell reported. "There is a premium on accuracy with approach shots so as to leave a uphill or relatively flat putt.
"Tom Lehman was recently brought in to make some changes to improve the course for the tournament. He removed and reworked some fairway and greenside bunkers and has brought the rough more into play.”
It certainly proved testing for many with Maynooth University talent Dawson one of the victims on day one.
“I played some good and bad golf out there today but it was certainly not the start of the tournament I was hoping for,” the Waterford man explained.
"I was punished badly early on for some average shots and from five over after four holes, it was always going to be tough to claw it back.
"From holes 5-15 I played solid golf shooting one over but had a poor finish, bogey, bogey and a double bogey on 18.
"I had sloppy bogeys at 16th, a short par-three, and on 17th where I three putted from 20ft. On the 18th, i got unlucky with my approach which jumped from the hazard out of bounds.
"The speed of the greens is something I'm not too used to but my game is good so Im hoping I can put some good scores together in last two rounds.”
Patriot All-America Invitational, Top 10 after Rd 1 at The Wigwam, Litchfield Park, Az.1. Federico Zucchetti 33-35=68 (-3)
T2. George Cunningham 36-33=69 (-2)
T2. Adam Wood 33-36=69 (-2)
T4. Shotaro Ban 37-33=7- (-1)
T4. Chris O’Neill 35-35=70 (-1)
T6. Sean Crocker 36-35=71 (E)
T6. Carson Jacobs 37-34=71 (E)
T6. Carson Schaake 31-40=71 (E)
T9. David Kocher 37-35=72 (+1)
T9. Joey Mayo 34-38=72 (+1)
T9. Kyle Mueller 36-36=72 (+1)
T9. Trevor Smith 37-35=72 (+1)
T9. Christopher Petefish 37-35=72 (+1)
T9. Carter Jenkins 35-37=72 (+1)
T9. Stuart Grehan 35-37=72 (+1)
T70 Robin Dawson 40-41=81 (+10)
Tributes flow for Bobby Browne
RJ Browne in action during one of Laytown and Bettystown's centenary year events in 2009. Picture: Pat Cashman
Bobby Browne was given an emotional send off at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Laytown on Monday and the tributes continue to pour in for the much loved Laytown and Bettystown professional, who passed away on Christmas Day at the age of just 73.
His list of former students is a who's who of Irish golf and as has already been mentioned on social media today, a coaching or Junior golf award or event in his honour would certainly be a fitting way to recognise his efforts, especially with young people.
Bobby and Robbie with the Irish Amateur Open trophy
Balbriggan's Robbie Cannon won the South of Ireland title as one of Bobby's Laytown and Bettystown stable and pens a heartfelt tribute on his blog, entitled "Thank you pro."
PGA professional Kelly wrote a Facebook post, summing up the feelings of many on the loss of a great servant to the game.
"His passion for golf was infectious. I travelled to a lot of pro ams with Bobby in the mid 90s everyday was a priceless experience every field we passed was a possible golf hole, every round he played should have been better and a lot of nights was a trip to the dogs. His brutal honesty some times rubbed people up the wrong way but he believed in his principles. He always looked after the welfare of every PGA professional. He was the meaning of the PGA for me."Please feel free to leave your thoughts and reminiscences in the comments section below.