The Irish Golf Club Gazette: 2016

9/01/2016

Europe Win Third Ryder Cup

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Europe added another layer of Ryder Cup dominance on Sunday behind Rory McIlroy big start, two big rallies and a rookie who hit the shot of his life to give this performance a finish it deserved.

Jamie Donaldson, unaware he already had done enough to retain the Ryder Cup, hit a 9-iron that settled 2 feet from the cup on the 15th hole. Keegan Bradley walked onto the green, saw Donaldson's ball next to the hole, removed his cap and conceded the birdie. And the celebration was on.

The result in the record book was Europe 16½, United States 11½. It's an old story for the Americans.

Europe won for third straight time, and now has won eight of the last 10.

"It came down to me to close it out, but it's all about the team," Donaldson said. "Everyone played their heart out to retain the Ryder Cup. And that's what it's all about."

McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose made sure the Americans would not get their redemption from the meltdown at Medinah two years ago as the first team to blow a four-point lead at home.

McIlroy was 6-under par on his first six holes and trounced Rickie Fowler to set the tone. The Americans put plenty of red on the board early, just not for long. McDowell was 3-down after five holes and Rose was four behind after six holes. McDowell rallied to beat Jordan Spieth, while Rose earned a halve against Hunter Mahan.

Martin Kaymer, who holed the winning point at Medinah, put Europe on the cusp of victory when he chipped in for eagle on the 16th to beat Bubba Watson. That set the stage for Donaldson.

"The shot of my life," he called it.

Europe captain Paul McGinley, who spoke all week about a template for success, stood by the 15th green with the rest of the players who had finished their matches. Donaldson was mobbed by his teammates, another happy occasion for Europe.

Asked for the highlight of the week, McGinley turned to Donaldson and said, "When you look at a face like that." He put both hands on Donaldson's face and hugged him.

The Americans still can't figure out this exhibition of team play.

They even brought back Tom Watson, at 65 the oldest captain in Ryder Cup history and the last American captain to win on European soil. Watson made a series of questionable moves during team play and the Americans didn't have much hope on Sunday.

Watson attributed the loss to foursomes -- Europe was unbeaten in both sessions and collected seven of the eight points -- though McGinley wrote that off as a fluke. Asked what he would tell his team in a final meeting, Watson said, "You played your best, but it wasn't enough. You've got to find out what it takes a little better."

Except for a victory at Valhalla behind captain Paul Azinger in 2008, the Americans haven't solved this Ryder Cup puzzle.

Phil Mickelson, on the bench for both sessions Saturday, finished off a 2-1 week by beating Stephen Gallacher. Asked about the future of the Ryder Cup, Mickelson went back to that last U.S. victory.

"We had a great formula in '08, and I don't know why we strayed from it," Mickelson said. "What Zinger did was really a good format. Maybe we should relive that."

Azinger has said that Watson never asked him about his "pod" system in which the U.S. team was broken into three groups of four players and stuck together the entire week.

No team embodies togetherness quite like Europe.

The Americans now have to wait two more years -- Hazeltine outside Minneapolis is the next Ryder Cup -- to figure that out.

Ireland's Strong Ryder Cup Record

Graeme McDowell knew it was a mistake as soon as he glanced up at the scoreboard.

That comfortable lead Europe had taken into the singles matches two years ago was gone, erased in a flurry of American birdies. Instead of coasting into the victory party as he'd expected as the 12th man out, the Ryder Cup - to say nothing of Europe's pride and honor - was in McDowell's hands.

"Those last seven holes, I've never been so nervous in my life," McDowell recalled Tuesday. "Coming down the stretch that day was some of the toughest golf I had ever played in my life, and some of the most nerve-racking golf. Myself and Hunter Mahan, someone was going to be the hero and someone was going to be the villain that day.

"Thankfully I was able to get the job done."

Of course he did. When the Ryder Cup is on the line, the Irish usually do.

McDowell delivered the winning point at Celtic Manor with a 15-foot birdie on the 16th hole, joining Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Philip Walton and Christy O'Connor Jr. as Irish heroes on one of the biggest stages in golf.

Don't be surprised if that Irish luck holds this week, too. Though European captain Jose Maria Olazabal refused to give any hints about his lineup, it's almost certain McDowell will be playing with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, his good friend and fellow Northern Irishman, when the Ryder Cup begins Friday at Medinah Country Club.

Paired together two years ago, the two were 1-1-1 in team matches.

"He's one of our main men," Olazabal said of McDowell. "He loves this competition, and I think it brings out the best in him. He's a very gutsy player. It doesn't matter if he's not striking the ball well, he will fight until the very end. He will fight for every shot, for every inch. And we saw that in the past."

Not just from McDowell, either.

Back in 2006, it was Clarke who carried the Europeans. Playing just six weeks after his wife, Heather, died of breast cancer, Clarke gave the Europeans an emotional charge the Americans never came close to answering. He won all three of his matches, and the Europeans routed the U.S. 18 1/2-9 1/2 for their third straight victory.

Four years before that, McGinley made a spectacular save on 18 to snatch a halve from Furyk and take the cup from the Americans. After McGinley had pulled even with a 12-footer on 17, Furyk was only 3 feet away from a certain par - after a beautiful bunker shot. McGinley, meanwhile, missed the green - badly. But he made a gorgeous pitch to about 8 feet, and sank the putt for the halve.

Back in 1995, the little-known Walton had lost what would be his only other Ryder Cup match, in Saturday morning foursomes. He would go 3-up on Jay Haas with three holes left in singles, only to lose 16 and 17. But Haas was in trouble off the 18th tee, and Walton two-putted for a bogey and the point Europe needed to win the cup, kickstarting its current dominance. The Europeans have won six of the last eight Ryder Cups.

And in 1989, O'Connor - a captain's pick - upset Fred Couples by making two birdies on the last three holes. One of the most celebrated shots in Irish golf was O'Connor hitting 2-iron from 229 yards to about 4 feet for birdie. It shook Couples so badly that he missed the green with a 9-iron, and it was key to Europe retaining the cup.

"The Ryder Cup's become such a big deal, I think people love it as a spectacle," McDowell said. "The aftermath (in 2010) and the 17th green when everyone swamped that green, it was something like I've never seen in golf before, and cool to be part of."

McDowell was hardly an unknown at Celtic Manor. He'd been unflappable in winning the U.S. Open just three months earlier, barely blinking as he withstood charges by Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els at Pebble Beach. He wasn't a Ryder Cup rookie, either, going 2-1-1 at Valhalla.

But it was his performance in Wales that transformed the 33-year-old - on and off the course.

"Winning the U.S. Open, there was sort of an aftermath of congratulations from everyone. I think that lasted a few weeks," McDowell said. "But the Ryder Cup was something a bit different because that was enjoyed by European fans, the European Tour, anyone that calls themselves European. I think I certainly got recognized more for that putt at the Ryder Cup than I did for my U.S. Open. There's no doubt about that, certainly in Europe."

McDowell hasn't won a tournament since 2010 but he's never far from the conversation, either.

He's made all but four cuts in 22 starts on the PGA and European tours this year, and has five top-five finishes. He settled for second at the U.S. Open after missing a 25-footer to force a playoff, and was fifth at the British after blowing up with a final-round 75.

If Olazabal sends him out last again in singles, McDowell will be ready to deliver again.

"Where will I play on Sunday? Who knows?" he said. "Part of me would love that opportunity again - part of me would love it, part of me would hate it. I'll take whatever comes."

Club History - Royal Dublin

Founded in 1885, The Royal Dublin Golf Club is Ireland's second oldest golf club.

Designed originally by the legendary Harry Colt, the links was extended for the modern era in recent years under the guidance of renowned golf architect, Martin Hawtree.

Christy O'Connor and Royal Dublin

Irish people have a special place in their heart for sporting heroes. Christy O'Connor is one such hero. He blazed a trail through the world of professional golf in the 1950s, '60s and '70s. The first golfer ever to win a five figure sum in Europe, Christy represented Great Britain and Ireland on ten consecutive occasions in the Ryder Cup and played for Ireland in a remarkable 15 World Cups, famously winning in 1958.

Christy O'Connor joined Royal Dublin in 1959 as club professional, and his association with the club continues to this day. In 1988, the members expressed the esteem in which they hold this great golfer by conferring Honorary Life Membership on Christy. Nearly forty years on, Christy's eagle-birdie-eagle finish to win the Carroll's International at Royal Dublin in 1966 still ranks as the finest finish to any Irish professional golf tournament and is a special memory.

Rising Star

t is only a few years since Niall helped the Boys team at Royal Dublin to win the Fred Daly Trophy. Niall has since gone on to greater things and is the current holder of the Brabazon Trophy.

The highlight of his career to-date was in September 2009 when he was the sole Irish representative on the British & Irish Walker Cup team who played against the United States in Merion Golf Club. Niall played in all of the rounds and finished with the best individual score of any of the British & Irish players. He then went to the European Tour Qualifying School and successfully won his card on the European Challenge Tour for 2010.

He has now joined the professional ranks and recently made his debut on the tour in South Africa.

The Royal Dublin Golf Club was instituted at a meeting held at No. 19 Grafton Street in May 1885. The formation of Ireland's second oldest golf club was pioneered by a Scottish banker - John Lumsden. Originally called Dublin Golf Club, (it received its Royal designation in 1891 - when there were 250 members paying £2 annual subscription - the entrance fee was 8 guineas), it was located near the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park. After a year the Club moved to Sutton and finally in 1889 moved to its present home here on the Bull Island, (the name is derived from the locality, Clontarf, which in Gaelic is Cluain Tairbh meaning the Bull's Meadow).

Captain William Bligh of 'Mutiny on the Bounty' fame was, in the early 1800s, one of those invited to solve the long standing problems of providing shipping with a safe, straight and deep approach into Dublin. As a result, it was decided to build a sea wall three kilometres out from the shore. The resulting sand bank, Bull Island, still continues to grow. The timber bridge was built in the autumn of 1819 and the Great North Wall, more popularly known as the Bull Wall, was completed by 1823.

Royal Dublin owns the entire links which covers some 65 hectares. The Bull Island is a bird sanctuary and a special amenity area with major scientific importance because of its variety of plant and wildlife (particularly hares).

Bunker at 1st hole, c. 1895

During the First World War, the course was taken over by the military and used as a rifle and artillery range. After the War, the clubhouse was in a very dilapidated condition and the course devastated. With £10,000 compensation, the clubhouse was re-constructed and the links re-designed by H.S. (Harry) Colt, the world famous golf course architect from Sunningdale, in 1920.

On the night of August 2nd 1943 the Clubhouse was totally destroyed by fire. Because of delays in finalising development plans for the entire island, it was not until ten years later that the new Clubhouse opened (2nd October 1954).

The 3rd hole, "The Alps", c. 1895

Major extensions were carried out in 1962, 1983, 1993 and 2007. The most recent programme involved extensive redesign and upgrading of the interior of the Clubhouse. This work included a complete refurbishment of the Locker Room, widening of the hall and the installation of a lift to the upper floor. The downstairs grill bar was moved to The Moran Room upstairs and now boasts a fantastic view of the course. Meanwhile the bars (O'Connor and Lumsden Rooms) were reconfigured to provide the requisite formal or relaxed environments for members and visitors to enjoy a post-round drink.

The 6th hole, c. 1895

This work ensured that the Clubhouse was brought up to the standard of the professionals shop and administration wing which were totally re-built in 2000.

Taking the work on the Clubhouse together with the redesign and upgrading of the links, the Club's facilities are now modern, luxurious and set the standard expected of Ireland's great clubs.

The 18th hole, c. 1895

In the history of the Club, it is likely that the period 2000 - 2007 will be seen as a watershed, a time when the Club's members took the steps necessary to restore the links to greatness and to modernise the Clubhouse to complement the course.

Rookies Will Shape Clarke Wildcards

Europe’s team to defend the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine in September will contain at least five rookies after the nine automatic qualifiers were decided with a week to spare.

Thomas Pieters needed to defend his Czech Masters title and Shane Lowry required a top-four finish in the Wyndham Championship to keep their hopes alive heading into the final qualifying event in Denmark.

However, Pieters lost out by a single shot to the American Paul Peterson on Sunday and Lowry was certain to finish down the field in North Carolina after a closing 67.

And that means Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Henrik Stenson, Chris Wood, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick are guaranteed to be on the plane to Minnesota in search of an unprecedented fourth successive win in the biennial event.

Willett, Wood, Cabrera-Bello, Sullivan and Fitzpatrick are the rookies, although Willett won the Masters in April and Wood claimed the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May.

Europe’s captain, Darren Clarke, will name his three wild cards on 30 August, with Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer strong favourites to be selected as Clarke has stressed he would favour experience for a contest on US soil.

Scotland’s Russell Knox and Pieters are understood to be the leading contenders for the final place.

Fitzpatrick has been in the qualifying places ever since winning his maiden European Tour title in the British Masters last October, the 21-year-old then claiming the Nordea Masters in June before a worrying dip in form. “It’s very exciting now,” he said after finishing fifth in Prague. “We can look forward to it and get my game in shape.

“I’ve probably been in the team for the longest period of time. It [the qualifying period] started a few weeks before I won at the British Masters and jumped into the team and I’ve managed to stay there since then. It’s been absolutely phenomenal and I’m just delighted to be in the team. It’s a great opportunity, I’ve got my first one coming up and hopefully I can just keep pushing on my game and getting better.”

8/24/2016

Mount Wolseley Volopa Challenge Returns

The European Challenge Tour’s return for the second year in succession, for the Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, was officially launched

The tournament, which takes place from September 8–11, will mark the return of this prestigious event to the stunning Christy O’Connor Jnr-designed Championship course at Mount Wolseley - located one hour from Dublin – which will again host this major professional event under the auspices of the European Tour.

The late Christy O’Connor Jnr, whose two-iron shot at the 18th hole of The Belfry on the way to Europe retaining The 1989 Ryder Cup is regarded as one of the greatest shots in the tournament’s long history, will be fondly remembered.

As a honoured Ambassador to the event last year, Christy said: “Mount Wolseley is truly one of my proudest creations as a course designer so I am thrilled that it will play host to some of Ireland, Europe and the world’s most promising young stars for such a prestigious event.”

The idyllic and lush parkland course is sure to test every facet of the players’ games while also providing plentiful enjoyment for hugely talented golfers who travel the globe and play on some of the best courses in the world.

The Challenge Tour provides the perfect opportunity for players turning professional to make their mark in the paid ranks, and many of the world’s finest players have chosen to begin their professional careers on Europe’s top developmental tour, including Martin Kaymer, Brooks Koepka, Olympic Champion Justin Rose and Open Championship winner Henrik Stenson.

The very best of Ireland’s most promising young players will be teeing it up at Mount Wolseley as they take on the finest young players from across the globe. With few opportunities left until the end of the season, the tournament represents one of the last chances for the players to ensure they finish the season in the top 15 of the Road to Oman Rankings and thereby earn graduation to the European Tour and the chance to fulfill lifelong ambitions.

Working in partnership with the Confederation of Golf in Ireland and Sport Ireland, Tetrarch Capital, the owners of Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, committed to host the Volopa Irish Challenge at Mount Wolseley over three consecutive years from 2015 - 2017, establishing this stunning Resort as a firm favourite for this prestigious event.

Alain de Soultrait, European Challenge Tour Director, said: “It is fantastic news that the Challenge Tour will return to Mount Wolseley for the second year in succession. Ireland has produced numerous world-class golfers and possesses many of the finest golf courses on the planet.

"Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is a fittingly stunning venue and I know how much all the players enjoyed the experience last year and are looking forward to returning.

“A lot of hard work has gone into making this tournament happen and we extend our sincere thanks to Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort and Tetrarch Capital for backing this event, as well as the CGI and Sport Ireland for their passion and vision in giving Ireland’s up and coming golf stars a chance to make that crucial breakthrough in professional golf. We look forward to another great week in Carlow.”

8/22/2016

Lowry Hopes to make it in Denmark

Shane Lowry has become the latest high-profile European Tour star to join the field for this month’s Made in Denmark, as the Irishman attempts to play his way into Europe’s team for The 2016 Ryder Cup.

It will be a maiden appearance for Lowry at Denmark’s only European Tour event, which this year has the honour of being the final counting event for the 41st edition of The Ryder Cup, due to be staged at Hazeltine National, in Minnesota, from September 30-October 2.

The 29 year old is relishing the opportunity of making a late case for inclusion in Captain Darren Clarke’s team when the third edition of the tournament takes place at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort, from August 25-28.

“I can’t wait to get to Denmark for what could be a big week for me,” said the three-time European Tour winner. “I’m determined to play my way onto The Ryder Cup team, so it was a fairly easy decision for me to play that week, and one I hope will pay off.

“I’ve heard great things about this event and especially the fans, which suits me as I love playing in front of big crowds. So hopefully I can show them what I’m capable of, and peak at just the right time.”

Lowry is joined in the field by his fellow Irishman Clarke, who will have more than just his own game on his mind as he finalises his team for Hazeltine.

Martin Kaymer, another player chasing a wildcard pick for the Ryder Cup, will also make his Made in Denmark debut as the two-time Major winner hunts a 12th European Tour title.

Other Ryder Cup hopefuls in the field include Englishmen Matthew Fitzpatrick and Chris Wood, both of whom currently occupy automatic qualification spots; while home favourite Søren Kjeldsen will also be hoping to put on a strong showing in front of Captain Clarke as he too bids to secure a wildcard pick.

8/19/2016

Rory Watched Olympic Golf - Rose

Justin Rose has revealed that golf’s successful return to the Olympics even prompted Rory McIlroy to change his mind and watch the thrilling climax.

McIlroy was one of more than 20 top players to withdraw from the Games, the 27-year-old initially citing concerns over the Zika virus but later admitting that major championships remained the “pinnacle” of the sport and he would only watch “the stuff that matters” in the Olympics.

But after securing golf’s first Olympic gold medal in 112 years by beating the Open champion, Henrik Stenson, in a thrilling duel at the Marapendi reserve, one of the many congratulatory messages Rose received was from his Ryder Cup team-mate McIlroy.

“I did get one from Rory. Absolutely,” Rose said. “He said he was very, very proud and he said he was pulling for me. He said he could see how much it meant to me and congratulated me.

“He was very complimentary and obviously he watched. He made the point that he really wants golf to succeed as an Olympic sport. He has some of his own opinions that are very personal to him and that’s fine, but as a whole he’s very, very much behind golf succeeding in the Olympics.

“All the guys that missed out probably made their decision for good reasons and they probably persuaded themselves it was a good decision, but I think they’re going to have sat back and realised what a successful event this was.

“They’re all great competitors and to be sitting at home watching other guys getting the glory is not going to sit well with them. They want experiences like this and they’re going to have to wait four years. That’s what makes this special. It just doesn’t come around next week and I’ll have another go.

“It’s an opportunity that comes around so rarely and I’m certainly happy it’s fallen on my plate. I certainly targeted it and went after it and therefore feel really proud of it, but it’s an opportunity that hopefully they’re going to take in 2020.”

Rose was close to tears as he described how much his victory meant to his seven-year-old son, Leo, whom he was supposed to take to see Chelsea play West Ham United at Stamford Bridge .

“Obviously I’m going to miss that but I’ll make it up to him,” the 36-year-old added. “He was so excited. I’ve never seen my little boy in tears, and I might start crying myself.

“I’ve never seen it resonate so much with him. He’s just beginning to understand what sport is all about. He went to a little football camp this last week and he got a medal, and he said to me: ‘Right, Dad, I’ve got my medal it’s time for you to get yours.’ He was actually crying when I phoned him and I’ve never seen that in him before, and that was very, very special.”

Rose had fully embraced the Olympic experience by watching numerous other sports and walking in the opening ceremony, after which he shared a bus journey back to the athletes’ village with Andy Murray. Nine days later, both he and the Wimbledon champion were Olympic gold medallists after Murray battled past Juan Martín Del Potro in the men’s tennis final, later on Sunday.

“Nigel Tilley, who is the GB physio, bumped into Andy at the village last night and he said that Andy had watched my last hole before going on to the court, so it was cool that I was able to watch his last two games,” Rose added.

“If you look at Team GB’s tally of medals, it’s amazing for a relatively small country to be doing so well on the medal count. Every time I see a medal go up on my app I feel proud of the wider team and that’s what makes it different and special.”

9/01/2016

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