Casey hails woman's touch
Brian Casey hailed his girlfriend for her course knowledge as he took a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Alps Tour Q-School in Spain. The Headfort star, 22, fired a two under 70 on the Asia Course at La Cala to lead by a shot on nine under par in the race for 35 full cards on the satellite circuit next season.
McAlpin leads Alps ascent
Matt McAlpin led the quintet of Irishmen who will join Alan Dunbar at next week’s final stage of the Alps Tour Qualifying School in Spain. The Royal Portrush man shot a two under 70 at La Cala’s America Course to finish tied for second in his section of the First Stage Qualifier on five under par.
Dunbar to scale Alps
Alan Dunbar during the third round of the Alstom Open de France, at Le Golf National, Versailles. Picture: David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie
There’s life after the European Tour Q-School and while it’s a far cry from the Race to Dubai millions, seven Irishmen have decided to part with €600 to continue their golfing odyssey at next month’s Alps Tour Qualifying School in Spain.
Irish face Q-School battle at The Roxburghe
Damian Mooney made a solid start at Q-School in Scotland. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieBallyliffin’s Damian Mooney and Cork’s Peter O’Keeffe were the only Irish players inside the qualifying places after the opening round of the European Tour Qualifying School First Stage qualifier at The Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course in Scotland.Claremorris deny Newlands in Irish Mixed final
Claremorris captain Brendan Mellett (centre) celebrates with team members Christina Rush and Ger Noone after the club’s victory in the I Need Spain sponsored Irish Mixed Foursome Final on the 16th green at Douglas Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman/www.cashmanphotography.ieClaremorris claimed the I Need Spain Irish Mixed Foursomes with a clear-cut 4-1 victory over Newlands at Douglas.Claremorris and Newlands in Mixed decider
Claremorris’ Stephen Healy, who will play Stage One of the European Tour Qualifying School this year, helped Claremorris qualify for the final of the I Need Spain Irish Mixed Foursomes at Douglas Newlands and Claremorris will meet in the final of the I Need Spain Irish Mixed Foursomes at Douglas Golf Club on Friday after they saw off the challenges of Clonmel and Mannan Castle.
Just 12 of 34 Irish survive PQ1
Michael McGeady agonisingly failed to qualify by a single shot at Stage One of the European Tour Qualifying School.Derry’s Ruaidhri McGree and Ballymena’s Chris Devlin lived to fight another day but there was no luck for the rest of the Irish at the European Tour Qualifying School Stage One Section D qualifiers in England and Portugal.
Selfridge defeats Grant in play-off for East crown
Winner winner. Chris Selfridge roars with delight after sinking his putt for a winning par four at the ninth. Picture by Pat Cashman.Moyola Park’s Chris Selfridge captured his second amateur major in the space of eight days when he beat Knock’s Nicky Grant by a stroke in a three-hole aggregate play-off for the East of Ireland Amateur Open at Co Louth. In winning, he became the first man since Garth McGimpey in 1988 to claim the ‘Close’ and the ‘East’ in the same season.Selfridge comes of age at Portrush
Chris Selfridge in full flow at Royal Portrush. Picture: Pat CashmanWhile some took the “never hurry” part of Walter Hagen’s famous phrase far too literally, Moyola Park’s Chris Selfridge was faithful to the rest as he cruised to a seemingly effortless six under 66 to claim the first round lead in the Golfsure sponsored Irish Amateur Close Championship at a sun-kissed Royal Portrush.
Oliver hungry for more at Q-School
Carrickfergus’ Ross Oliver fired a three-under par 69 to move into the qualifying places at the halfway stage of the European Tour School’s First Qualifying Stage Section B qualifier at Wychwood Park.
The top 25 and ties progress to December’s Second Sage from the Cheshire venue and Europro Tour regular Oliver, 24, is tied for 23rd on the current one-over par target score, nine strokes behind leader Steve Uzzell.
Grant starts well at PQ1 in Germany
Stephen Grant started well at the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in Germany. Picture by Pat Cashman, courtesy of the Golfing Union of Ireland.Former professional footballer Stephen Grant is the only Irish player inside the qualifying places after the opening rounds of the Section B qualifiers in the First Stage of the European Tour School.Top class field following in Rory's footsteps at Rosapenna
A lot has happened in Rory McIlroy’s life since he won the inaugural Rosapenna Senior Scratch Cup in 2005.Walker Cup players Alan Dunbar and Paul Cutler have had to pull out to meet up with the Great Britain and Ireland team ahead of next week’s joust with the US, but there is still a top quality field for tomorrow’s Rosapenna Senior and Junior Scratch Cups in spectacular Donegal.Hopkins sets sights on Walker Cup place
Former stopper Jeff Hopkins has set his sights on becoming a Walker Cup swinger this season.
The Skerries star, 19, took up golf just five years ago after his cross-channel soccer dreams were smashed by injury problems.
But he tees it up at Royal Dublin today as one of the favourites for the Irish Amateur Open, believing he can become a serious contender for a place in the Walker Cup side to face the US at Royal Aberdeen in September.
Hopkins tied second in Lytham Trophy
Skerries’ Jeff Hopkins tied for second place behind Jack Senior in the Lytham Trophy after three days of carnage at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
The 19-year old talent finished five shots behind Walker Cup squad member Senior on 24-over par after rounds of 74 and 77 on the final day at Royal Lytham and St Annes.