McElroy and McCrudden exit at Portrush
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Masterful McElroy hits Dunluce 63 to top North qualifiers
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Top class field following in Rory's footsteps at Rosapenna
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Dunbar wins Irish Amateur Open
Sean MacMahon (President GUI) presents the Irish Amateur Open Trophy to the winner, Alan Dunbar (Rathmore Golf Club). Also included are John Rice (General Manager AIB, sponsors), left, and David Kennedy (Captain The Royal Dublin), right.
The Ulster golf conveyor belt produced yet another outstanding champion when Rathmore’s Alan Dunbar held off a final round challenge from Scotland’s Kris Nicol to end Ireland’s seven-year wait for a home winner in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.
Lennox two clear in Irish Amateur Open
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The 20-year old Ulsterman, who was runner up to Paul Cutler in last year’s East of Ireland at Baltray, defied a northwest wind that gusted over 20 mph to put himself in pole position to become the first home winner of the title since the prolific Portmarnock talent Noel Fox lifted the trophy at the Bull Island links in 2003.
New date for Mullingar Scratch Cup
The Mullingar Scratch Cup is changing dates next year with Banbridge’s Connor Doran expected to return to defend the title from August 28-29.
The prestigious 72 hole strokeplay event is moving from its traditional August Bank Holiday date to avoid a clash with the European Amateur Championship, which will be played at Vanajanlinna Golf Club in Finland from 4-7 August.
Memorable summer continues for Doran
Less than a month after he picked up a €50 "tip" from Padraig Harrington, Connor Doran landed his first major amateur title when he beat Portstewart's Paul Cutler in a play-off for the Grant Thornton Mullingar Scratch Trophy.
The Banbridge man, 27, claimed the title with a birdie three at the first tie hole - Mullingar's first- to add to a miserable week for Cutler, who learned on Sunday that he had missed out on Walker Cup selection.
For Doran, however, things couldn't get much better.