Fairweather, McElroy, Galbraith, Campbell and McLarnon set for Galgorm Castle
John Ross Galbraith. Photo: GUI/Ulster Branch
At this point of the season Ireland’s elite amateurs juggle an extremely busy schedule and the same can be said for the international duo of Colm Campbell and John-Ross Galbraith, the recently crowned North of Ireland champion - both of whom have been nominated by the Golfing Union of Ireland Ulster Branch to compete in next week’s Northern Ireland Open, in Association with SPHERE Global and Ulster Bank.
With this week’s announcement of the Irish Home Internationals team, Campbell and Galbraith will move straight onto Portrush to prepare for the defence of the team title Ireland won in Southerndown Golf Club in Wales last year where both players featured.
“Firstly, I'm delighted to get picked for the Home Internationals, it was a goal of mine this year. I wanted to make the team so bad because it's at Portrush and it’s going to be a class week,” enthused Galbraith, who won the North of Ireland Championship at Portrush earlier this month after defeating Rosslare’s Gary Collins in a thrilling final that was decided on the second extra playoff hole.
“I'm especially looking forward to NI Open because I feel my game is in better shape than it was this time last year. I know if I play well I can do really well. I'm looking forward to the challenge and playing in front of the home crowd is going to be amazing,” added the 21-year-old, who plays out of Whitehead Golf Club.
Galbraith already has his eye on European Tour Qualifying School at the end of September and competed at Galgorm last year after completing a rare double by winning the Irish Close and Ulster Youths. He made the cut in 2014 but will look to improve on his tied 56th finish.
Campbell is also hoping to make an impression when competing against the professionals at Galgorm.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in Galgorm next week. It’s a great event and great to play against these great players in front of home support, then head on to Portrush the following week to represent Ireland in the Home Internationals on home soil will be extra special again,” said the 28-year-old from Warrenpoint, who won the prestigious East of Ireland title in 2014 and has enjoyed another good season.
Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy and Knock’s Colin Fairweather, who will earn his first senior cap after reaching the final of the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch last week, will join Galbraith and Campbell in Portrush.
McElroy was originally entered in the International European Amateur Championship in Slovakia alongside Robin Dawson, Paul Dunne, Alex Gleeson, Jack Hume, Gary Hurley, Paul McBride, Gavin Moynihan and Cormac Sharvin
Tiarnan McLarnon is the third amateur who will tee it up at Galgorm after the Massereene golfer won this year’s North of Ireland Strokeplay title at Galgorm.
Irish entries
- Michael HOEY
- Damien MCGRANE
- Brian CASEY
- Alan DUNBAR
- Simon WARD
- Richard KILPATRICK
- Niall KEARNEY
- Colm MORIARTY
- Michael MCDERMOTT
- Michael McGEADY
- Chris SELFRIDGE
- Niall TURNER
- Dermot McELROY (AM)
- Colm CAMPBELL (AM)
- John Ross GALBRAITH (AM)
- Tiaran MCLARNON (AM)
- Colin FAIRWEATHER (AM)
- Chris CARVILL
- Gary WARDLOW
- Reeve WHITSON
- Gareth SHAW
- Stephen GRANT
- Simon THORNTON
- Peter LAWRIE
- Ruaidhri MCGEE
