Profile - Brendan McDaid

Brendan McDaid is based at the Carr Golf Centre, Spawell in Templeogue, Dublin with all the on site facilities for his tuition needs. As European Tour coach continues to help golfers get the most out of their game is currently working with Irish golfer, Peter Lawrie. 

Whether starting out for the first time or a seasoned campaigner, the McDaid Academy offers something uniquely different for golfers.

The Swing Reader, the most advanced video solution, analysis of your swing during the lesson, after which videos are made available to ensure continuous improvement.

At the Carr Golf Centre Brendan offers individual classes, one day golf group schools or junior golf lessons. All bookable on-line to more easily plan a lesson at a convenient time.

McDaid has coached many individuals and teams to success both at home and abroad, ranging from junior competitions to European PGA Professional tournaments. His Mother was a Inter provincial and also played for Ireland. His sister Eileen Rose Power played Curtis Cup in 1994 with his nephew Mark Power winning the Peter McEvoy Trophy this year

Under McDaid Peter Lawrie claimed his maiden victory at the Open de España in 2008, defeating home favourite Ignacio Garrido in a play-off. The following year he defended his title valiantly only to finish third in the end.

Having graduated from UCD on a scholarship Lawrie reached the European Tour through the Challenge Tour, after finishing fourth in the rankings at the end of 2002. All testament to his determination having spent one year on the Asian Tour and three seasons on the Challenge Tour. 

Brendan has also coached former European Tour player Gary Murphy, and Challenge Tour players Colm Moriarty and Michael McGeady. As well as Tara Delaney, a one time member of the Ladies European Tour. As head coach for the Team Ireland Golf Trust for a number of years, McDaid has always been at the cutting edge of all golf coaching in Ireland and Europe.

McDaid has held a Category 14 card and played on the European Tour

www.brendanmcdaidgolf.com

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Uzzell Leads Kingspan at Concra Wood

Steve Uzzell leads by one stroke after the first round of the Kingspan Concra Wood Open after carding a six-under-par 66 in the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event in Castleblayney.

The Hornsea Golf Club man is trailed by Liam Murray, with three players sharing third on four under with 36 holes to play in the event, which carries a £40,000 prize fund with £10,000 going to the winner.

Uzzell, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Tuesday, began on the tenth tee and was five under for his first nine, thanks in part to an eagle at the 15th. He made two bogeys on his back nine – at two and six, but birdies at one, four and eight helped him to an opening-round 66, six under par.

Murray (La Marquesa Golf) signed for a bogey-free 67, five under par, with his round including an eagle three on the first having started his round on the tenth.

Tied for third two behind the leader on four under are Englishmen Rory Walsh (Ashton-on-Mersey Golf Club), Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge Golf Club) and Ryan Brown (Worksop Golf Club).

The leading Irishman is Colm Moriarty, who is based at Glasson Hotel and Golf Club in County Westmeath. He sits 11th on the leaderboard on two under par, four behind the leader.

The Kingspan Concra Wood Open is a 54 hole strokeplay event with a cut to the leading 50 players and ties after the second round. 

Spectator entry is free throughout the week.

Brendan and Peter Greet New Season

Brendan McDaid coached European Tour winner Peter Lawrie long before the Dubliner claimed his maiden European Tour victory at the Open de España in 2008 in Sevilla, defeating home favourite Ignacio Garrido in a play-off. A victory that was followed by a third place finish at the same event twelve months later when it was played at PGA Catalunya.

In 2012 Lawrie qualified for the US Open for the very first time.

At the 36 hole qualifier in Walton Heath Peter needed to finish among the top 11 to earn a place at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, and did so after a five-way play-off for four places – finishing on six-under-par with Matthew Baldwin, Matteo Manassero, Rafael Jacquelin and Shirwan Kim.

The Dubliner's only previous appearance in a Major was at the 2005 British Open at St Andrews.

After a twelve year journey the partnership now concludes and Lawrie will tee off the 2014 season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship without the ever observant McDaid for the first time in over a decade.

“Since Peter was the Rookie of the Year 2003; it has been a great adventure on the European Tour together,” said McDaid “Particularly retaining his playing rights in Perth at the very end of last season. Which really came down to the wire and was a true test of nerve in Australia”

“For this season a new setup makes sense and I am grateful to Peter for some great years on Tour,” continued Brendan, “No doubt he will continue to enjoy success and I wish him well.”

“At times these changes can be good and it is the natural process of the game” said McDaid, “Few things ever stay the same and the twelve years have just flashed by us both.”

Having coached a number of aspiring Irish players over the years McDaid reflects on some of those names that crossed his path.

“These days Gary Murphy works in the media outside the ropes, Colm Moriarty, a regular on the Challenge Tour, has called it a day inside the ropes. As did Stephen Browne some years back now,” Brendan explained. 

“On the other hand Michael McGeady won the Irish PGA Championship last year which was great to see.”

Golf started early for McDaid as a young member of Lahinch Golf Club from where he won the Irish Youths in 1977 and progressed to a PGA Professional by 1985. Born in Donegal and raised in Skibbereen, Co. Cork, his playing career as an amateur career saw victory at The Irish Youths, The Munster Youths twice and The Munster Boys. 

In 1981 McDaid joined professional ranks training in Bandon Golf Club in Cork and becoming a PGA Professional four years later, reaching Category 14 on the European Tour in 1989. 

Golf tuition however was to become his real vocation. That decision reflected in a coaching career that has clocked up success stories over time. 

It also included Karen Delaney, Irish Ladies Close Champion 2007 and Kate Gallagher, Irish Girls Champion in 2007. With a list of individual titles also among the credits; 6 Irish Ladies Close Champions in the 1990’s; 2 Irish Strokeplay Champions in the 1990’s; Curtis Cup Team Members in 1992 & 1998 and a 2003 Walker cup team member.

www.brendamcdaidgolf.com

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McGee Best in Class

European Tour

Ruaidhri McGee finished in a share of fifth place at European Tour Qualifying School Stage 2 at Las Colinas to keep his PGA Catalunya hopes alive after a one under par 70 on Sunday.

A double bogey on the first did not bode well for the Rosapenna professional for his Round 2 hopes. However three birdies on the way to the turn brought McGee under par and a level finish at the eighteenth secured a spot seven strokes from the leader James Heath. More importantly well inside the coveted first fifteen places with two days to go.

Stephen Grant went the opposite direction after a strong start on Saturday, to finish day two in a tie for 78th place - carding a round of 78. A double bogey on the par four 12th the major damage in a round that also included six bogeys.

Niall Kearney moved to a share of 21st with a second day 71, despite a double  bogey on the par 4 sixth. 

Damian Mooney fired a 69 and moved to 39th spot cruising around Las Colinas in two under par.

Brendan McCarroll was ten strokes worse though and a 79 included a double and triple bogey on Sunday.

David Rawluk is 66th after carding a second round 75 and unlikely to make it beyond Monday's cut.

At Campo de Golf El Saler the pace is being set by Carlos Del Moral from Spain and Niccolo Quintarelli from Italy on -7, where the best of the Irish, Kevin Phelan, was 72 for the day and sharing twentieth place.

The Waterford man has some work to do for a final Stage spot after his round of 35 and 37 reflected little drama he encountered,  as he matched birdies and bogeys to finish level. 

Colm Moriarty was one better with 71 but four places further adrift on day two after his one over par opening round. 

John Daniel Guiney signed for  a 75 with a  double on the par 4 sixth the damage, leaving him in 75th spot at the half way stage.

Alan Dunbar signed for 80 despite an eagle 2 on par four 14th. That good news aside the card was just too blue with no recovery birdies to improve his chances.

At Lumine Golf and Beach Club in Tarragona Dermot McElroy finished three under par on Sunday to finish 20th and five strokes off the leader Chris Hanson - who was unable to match his first 64 - and signed for a round of 70.

At Valle Romano Golf Gareth Shaw finished with a three under par 68, and only good enough for a share of 46th place. Three players share the lead on -10, Nikolai E Nissen, Gary Stal and Lee Bedford.

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Irish Adrift at EuroPro Final

Michael McGeady carded an opening round 69 at the 888Poker.com PGA Europo Tour Championship on Tuesday and showed no signs of fatigue from Roganstown on Sunday, where he emerged as Irish PGA Championship, in what was a close contest. 

A three under par round at the Prince's Club in Kent came without loss - after three birdies before the turn - on holes, 2, 4 and nine. His seven way share of 7th reflects a tight leaderboard after round one, with four strokes separating the group from the leader. 

At the end of each season the top five players on the Order of Merit progress to the Challenge Tour, meaning there is more than just the £15,000 winner’s cheque to play for this week.

Paul Grannell shot his best round of the season to lead by two strokes on seven under at the end of the first round. The 28 year old carded a 65 on the opening day of the final event of the 2013 season, and is trailed by four golfers who share second on five under.

Simon Lilly (Wellingborough), Zack Saltman (Archerfield Links Golf Club), William Harrold (Sheringham Golf Club) and Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw Golf Club) all shot 67 and Paul Shields (Kirkhill Golf Club) is one behind in sixth on -4.

Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey) hit eight birdies on Tuesday, with his only blemish a six on the par-five seventh.

“I like links golf, I have always had good success on links courses, as an amateur you play a lot of links golf,” he said.

“It equals my lowest ever tournament round of golf, and it is my lowest round of the year which is always nice to do, especially in the last tournament.

“I have had top 20s in my last three tournaments and two of those going down the closing holes I have been in contention. If I can carry on the form I have been showing then I would like to think I will have a chance.”

Grannell is currently 22nd on the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit and only a win at Prince’s will push him into the all-important top five.

“I am not thinking of any kind of result,” he said. “I am thinking purely of what I have been working on with my coaches. I didn’t know that other guys were at five under until I finished.

“I will do my best to avoid leaderboards for the rest of the week but it is difficult when you walk past them.”

At the end of each season the top five players on the Order of Merit progress to the Challenge Tour, meaning there is more than just the £15,000 winner’s cheque to play for this week.

George Woolgar (level, T31) leads the Tour rankings, with Daniel Gavins (-2, T14), Oliver Farr (-1, T22), Dave Coupland (level, T31) and Paul McKechnie (-3, T7) completing the current top five. Only Woolgar and Gavins have already secured their playing rights for next season’s Challenge Tour.

Time Rice signed for 70 and holds a share of fourteenth place overnight.

Ruaidhri McGee was three strokes further adrift after a mixed first day.

Colm  Moriarty carded a 73, despite an eagle three on the par 6 fifteenth hole, to lie 40th along with Paul Cutler - who ended level par after giving back all four birdies to bogeys either side of the turn.

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McGeady's Poker Challenge

PGA Europro Tour

Irish PGA Champion Michael McGeady tees of on Tuesday at the fianl event of the 2013 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour season, which draws to a close at Prince’s Golf Club iN Kent. The Order of Merit’s top 60 players will take part in the £60,000 888poker.com Tour Championship.

At the end of the week the top five on the Order of Merit will receive Challenge Tour cards for the 2014 season, putting them just one step away from the European Tour.

Colm Moriarty, Ruairdhr mcgtee, Stage 1 European Q School winner, Tim Rice and Paul Cutler are the other irish entries. 

George Woolgar and Daniel Gavins have already secured their places on the second-tier tour but remain locked in a battle to end the season as the tour’s number one, while Oliver Farr, Dave Coupland and Paul McKechnie will need a solid final tournament in order to maintain their places in the top five.

Any one of the 57 entrants at Prince’s could leave the Kent coast in the Order of Merit top five come Thursday evening, ensuring a dramatic end to a fantastic season on the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour.

Tour Director of Operations Daniel Godding said: “We’ve upped the prize fund by 50% compared to the regular-season events and I know that means there will be one more big twist to end a dramatic season on the tour.

“Prince’s is a really good test of golf, and whoever wins the £15,000 first prize really will have earned it. I was there last week and the course is looking great. The players are in for a treat but so too is everybody who comes down to watch.”

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McGee Wins QS Stage Two

European Tour

Ruaidhri McGee led the way for most of the Second Stage at Wychwood Park, and yet a two over 74 in the final round was enough to triumph by two shots in Cheshire with a three under par 285 total.

Northern Irishman Alan Dunbar, the 2012 Amateur Champion, finished alone in second after a closing 70, one shot clear of South Africa’s Darryn Lloyd.

Colm Moriarty finished in share of fourth and also makes it through carding 72,67,80 and 70 for an aggregate 289.

Dermot McElroy added to the Irish success by finishing in fourteenth place on 293. 

American Bryan Newman, meanwhile, fired a joint low round of the day of 68 to storm 20 places up the leaderboard to qualify for the Second Stage on the mark at nine over par.

Paul Cutler ended a poor week with a 78 and missed out after finishing in 34th place - five shots off those ties at +9.

Matt McAlpin and David P Jones had been already cut after round three.

In Germany American John Hahn shot four rounds in the sixties to lead the 24 qualifiers from Golf & Country Club Fleesensee at the First Qualifying Stage Section B.

Niall Kearney finished in a share of 9th place and will make it to the next stage.

Cian McNamara however was less fortunate with a 287 aggregate having fired a second round 78, which effectively ended his chances of progressing this year.

Hahn, whose family originate from the host country, signed for a closing 69 – to go with previous rounds of 67, 65 and 68 – for a 19 under par aggregate of 269 to finish five shots clear of a quartet featuring compatriot Kyle Thompson, Austria’s Philipp Fendt, Sweden’s Gabriel Axell and Germany’s Philipp Mejow.

Fendt was one of three players to shoot a joint best-of-the-day 66 in Göhren-Lebbin to seal progression alongside Norway’s Christian Aronsen, who climbed to tied 12th, and Frenchman Cyril Bouniol (tied 16th).

Players from 13 different countries, including a strong representation of Scandinavian states, were among the 24 who finished on 281, seven under par, or better.

A further four nationalities were represented among the 27 qualifiers from Wychwood Park in England.

A total of 51 players progressed through and will take their place in the Second Qualifying Stage, to take place in the first week of November over four courses in Spain leading to the Final Stage at PGA Catalunya Resort.

The First Qualifying Stage continues next week as more hopefuls begin their quest for a place on The European Tour with Section C taking place at Ribagolfe in Portugal and Circolo Golf Bogogno in Italy.

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Hope for McGee and Kearney

Ruaidhri McGee returned to the top of the leaderboard on the European Tour qualifying school in Cheshire and looks certain to move into the second stage.

McGee carded a 71 over the Wychwood Park course in Crewe for a 211 54-hole aggregate and is five strokes clear of nearest rival, American Ted Smith.

Dublin's Colm Moriarty slumped to a disappointing 80 for 219, two behind former Amateur Champion Alan Dunbar.

Dermot McElroy, on 220, is still in the hunt, but Paul Cutler is four back and needs a minor miracle to stay in contention.

Meanwhile, Dubliner Niall Kearney took a stride towards the second stage of qualifying for a European Tour card with an excellent three-under-par 69 at Fleesensee in Germany.

Kearney, who plays out of Royal Dublin and was a key member of the Ireland sides that won back-to-back European Amateur Team titles in 2007 and 2008, fired 69 on Tuesday and 68 the following day.

His 54-hole aggregate of 206 gives him a share of fourth position going into the final day and, barring a catastrophe, he should progress.

Both Cian McNamara and Simon Ward are way down the field in Germany and will miss out. 

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