Ted Higgins Jnr
Last season Ted Higgins finished in seventeenth place in the Irish PGA Lexus Race to Mount Juliet, in association with PING and Failte Ireland, playing an impressive round of golf on the final day of the season at the Mount Juliet venue – coming close to winning the one day tournament. In the end the more natural order of things ensured that it was his cousin David Higgins, the full time professional, who took all the honours, and deservedly so after a seven under par round of 65.
It was a memorable return to the Kilkenny course for Ted Higgins, who had been Head Professional and Assistant Director of Golf at Mount Juliet between 1997 and 2002 proving his talent at the season finale on the Irish PGA Region. Since leaving Mount Juliet has regularly played Irish PGA Tour, Euro Pro Tour, European Challenge Tour and Mini Tour events in the U.S.A during the winter months, which culminated in the European Tour Qualifying School in 2007 where he secured a European Challenge Tour ranking for the 2008 season.
Prior to Mount Juliet in 1997 Higgins was Senior Assistant Professional at Royal County Down Golf Club, in Newcastle, County Down.
After returning to Northern Ireland in 2002 Higgins became involved in cross community teaching in association with several local schools and golf clubs in Fintona and his experience included the Irish Special Olympic team, individual coaching for Curtis Cup and Ladies European Tour player, Susie O’Brien. In 2005 the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) awarded Ted the status of “Advanced PGA Professional”.
As an amateur Higgins played junior and senior golf winning competitions at national level in individual and team events. In addition was selected for Cork, Munster and Irish Teams with selected golfing achievements as an amateur that include, Runner up Munster Youths Sports Star of the Year, Player of the Year in Christian Brothers College, Won Senior Presidents Prize in Ballybunnion, County Kerry and Amateur Course Records
In September 1995 he turned Professional in September and became a fully qualified PGA professional in November 1997.
In 2009 Ted Higgins put his time into building a team of Irish professionals all focused on breaking through European Tour Qualifying School into the major ranks within two seasons and as a result created FORE Ireland, which also included David Mortimer, Michael Collins and Mark Staunton. In 2010 the team was joined by 1995 Ryder Cup star, Philip Walton.
Although the objective of reaching the major paid ranks was not achieved the team enjoyed much success on the Irish Region for two seasons and all finished with improved records in 2010. For David Mortimer it was a bumper year winning the Irish PGA Championship at Seapoint Golf Club and the Glenmuir PGA professional Championship at The Oxfordshire. For Michael Collins a top eight finish in the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet last October ensured a return trip to the Irish Open in Killarney next July, with Mark Staunton narrowly missing out his chance by a few points.
This week Ted Higgins embarks in his new role as the Professional at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in Tullow, County Carlow, returning to his natural vocation having given the game his full attention for last two seasons.
Factfile:
Date of Birth: December 28th, 1972
Attachment: FORE Ireland / Mount Wolseley
Turned Pro: 1995