McGlynn Kearney and Dunne Through

Shane McGlynn qualified for the last 64 in the matchplay stage of the British Amateur Championship over the Royal Cinque Ports course on Wednesday, with Matthew McAlpin and Richard Bridges losing out in their matches.

East of Ireland champion Paul Dunne and Castlerock’s Aaron Kearney are also both through to the last 32. However Irish Close champion Cormac Sharvin failed to make it through the second round at the Kent links.
England’s Nick Marsh knocked out the highest ranked player in the field to reach the second match play round of the 118th Amateur Championship at Royal Cinque Ports.

After a delayed start due to thunder and lightning on the Kent coast, the preliminary round got under way shortly after 10am.

Marsh, from Huddersfield, mounted a strong finish, with birdies at the 15th, 16th and 17th, to eliminate Frenchman Julien Brun, who is ranked fifth in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, 4&2.

Fellow Englishman, Ben Stow enjoyed a convincing 5&4 win over Mathias Eggenberger. The University of Kentucky student took charge straight away against his Swiss opponent and was 5up at the turn. The 22-year-old from Rushmore clinched the win with five straight pars on the back nine.

Paul Kinnear notched up an impressive 3&2 win in an all-England clash against Daniel Brown. A close match was settled in the Formby player’s favour when he won the 14th, 15th and 16th holes, with a birdie on the 15th the highlight.

Young Spaniard Pep Angles defeated his compatriot Mario Galiano 4&2. The Central Arkansas Sophomore was never behind in the match. Three birdies on the front nine set him on his way and the match was decided with a birdie three on the 16th.

He was joined in the second round by Italian Riccardo Michelini, American AJ McInerney, Shane McGlynn and England’s Toby Crisp.

Three Irish Open Towns

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The 2013 Irish Open is promising a spectacular festival of golf when Carton House Golf Club welcomes a world class field to County Kildare from June 27-30.

The atmosphere off course promises to be equally impressive with the launch of an exciting programme of events developed by the local communities of Maynooth, Celbridge and Leixlip – the “Three Irish Open Towns” programme of events.

Four Irish Major Champions – Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy - will compete at Carton House along with Carton’s Touring Professional, Shane Lowry, a host of Tour winners and Ryder Cup stars including 2014 captain Paul McGinley.

The stage is set for a superb platform for the event’s return to the Republic of Ireland after a visit to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland last year. To complement the sporting action, the“Three Irish Open Towns” as they are known locally have joined forces to ensure that local tourism and business interests embrace the Irish Open as an opportunity to promote all that is great about the county. 

Kevin Moriarty from Fáilte Ireland said: “With less than two weeks before we get under way at Carton House, anticipation is very much building as we look forward to this year’s Irish Open and welcoming some of the world’s top golfers - in particular our Irish stars.

“We want Kildare and indeed Ireland to be portrayed in the best light to visitors, media and participating golfers during the Irish Open. This will once again underline this country’s deserved reputation as a unique holiday destination that leaves visitors with many wonderful memories and a desire to return.”

The initiative is a joint collaboration between the committees of the three Irish Open towns and is supported by Fáilte Ireland and Kildare County Council. This project forms part of a wide range of features aimed at ensuring that the Irish Open becomes a great festival, not just in terms of golf but also the manner in which it involves the wider community.

Carton House Managing Partner Conor Mallaghan said: “The Three Towns Initiative is a truly unique concept that will provide a wonderful reason for the people of Maynooth, Celbridge and Leixlip to come along to the Irish Open and experience the best of Irish and world golf. We are delighted to share the excitement of this year’s event with the wider community of Kildare and hope they will enjoy all that Carton House has to offer both on and off the golf course."

In addition to the events programme, excitement is building following the announcement of three former Irish Open champions who have all agreed to become Ambassadors for each of the three towns for the duration of the tournament. Australian Brett Rumford, the 2004 Irish Open champion and a two-time winner on The European Tour in 2013, will represent Maynooth; Richard Finch of England, the 2008 winner, will be the ambassador for Celbridge, while 2010 champion Ross Fisher, also of England, will join forces with Leixlip.

Antonia Beggs, Irish Open Championship Director, welcomed the exciting initiative which bonds the three towns with Carton House and the 2013 Irish Open. She said: “We are delighted to work closely with Fáilte Ireland and Kildare Council on this project. 

“We are sure that the residents of Celbridge, Leixlip and Maynooth will embrace the fact that a world class sporting event is taking place on their doorstep at Carton House and that visitors to the area next week will be able to share in the sense of excitement generated by the Irish Open.”

The European Tour will also provide each town with 100 free wristbands permitting access to ‘Open House@17’, the 1500 seat grandstand framing the par three 17th hole on the Montgomerie Course.

Beggs added: “We are pleased to involve the locals in this unique concept and we hope that they will come along and show support for their towns wearing the colours allotted to each – namely blue for Celbridge, pink for Leixlip and white for Maynooth.”

A range of initiatives are under way to ensure that there is a ‘Cead Mile Fáilte’ for players, sponsors, media, golf enthusiasts, casual visitors and those who live, work or visit the area to share in the excitement and sense of occasion.

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Shaw Books Irish Open Spot

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Gareth Shaw arrives for this week’s Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts after a huge week at Saint Omer in which he picked up his biggest cheque of the season and earned a debut appearance at the Irish Open thanks to Simon Thornton’s victory.

The Northern Irishman was rooming with Thornton that week and hung around to watch Thornton claim his maiden European Tour title as the Irishman beat Tjaart Van der Walt in a play-off.

That meant that Thornton was moved into the European Tour winners’ exemption category and the invite which he had received was passed on to Shaw, an incredible coincidence on a Sunday which filled Shaw full of confidence ahead of this week’s Challenge Tour event at Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Club in Aviemore.

“It was just great,” said Shaw, who is attached to Galgorm Golf Club and Estates, the host venue for this year's inaugural Northern Ireland Open Challenge Presented by Clannah and XJET. “Simon was on the brink of missing the cut on Friday but had an incredible final 45 holes and deserved his win.

"He played the best golf when it mattered so it’s great to see and I’ll hopefully stay in contact with him because he’s a great contact to have - he says it how it is and has had experience on all the tours.

“It’s amazing how quickly things can change in your career. It was a great week overall. I went down there Tuesday as first reserve and then I got in and then made the cut and went on to finish tied 15th. 

“I got a few quid for the Rankings and then Simon wins to get me into the Irish Open so I cannot wait for that. It’s a good opportunity for me and it’s my first time playing it.”

Having topped the rankings on the satellite Alps Tour last year, the first Northern Irishman to do so, Shaw’s second season on the Challenge Tour has been on a steady upward curve, culminating in his strong finish at the lucrative dual-ranking Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open presented by Neuflize OBC last week.

He believes he is getting more confident as time goes on and watching Thornton claim a first title filled him with even more self-belief.

“I've been saying for a while now that the margins between 20th and second or third or even contending, they’re so small,” said the 27 year old, who has missed just one cut in eight appearances this year. “Simon proved it last week, he beat me by only six shots over four rounds and now has a European Tour card.

“It does fill you with confidence seeing Simon do that because I've played a lot with his recently. My fourth rounds have let me down this year. I have been in position a few times to got a few top tens or top fives and haven’t finished it off which is disappointing.

“Last week was the first time I've moved forward in the fourth day which is nice, so hopefully I can kick on from here. 

“I actually played with Matteo Manassero here last time around in 2009 for the last two rounds, which was an experience. He’s gone on to pretty good things you could say!

“It’s a good golf course here this week, one I remember well so we’ll see how it goes. I am a good wind player and a good course management player so the course kind of suits me.”

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Emirates Fly High at Carton

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One of the European Tour’s most popular events, the 2013 Irish Open takes place from 27th – 30th June, returning to the spectacular Carton House Estate in Co Kildare, following a seven year absence.

Following the record-breaking, sell-out tournament at Royal Portrush in 2012, Emirates is again preparing to welcome tens of thousands of golfing fans to the Emirates Booth at Carton House, to enjoy A Taste of Dubai with traditional Arabic coffee and dates, and view all the on-course action from a live-feed plasma screen. There will be an opportunity to learn more about Emirates and the 134 destinations to which it connects customers, along with a chance to win great prizes.

Emirates’ three-year sponsorship of the Irish Open is an integral part of the international airline’s commitment to the Irish market, following the highly successful launch of its flights from Dublin in January 2012. 

The agreement with The Irish Open includes course branding, tournament hospitality, advertising and on-site activity, including a corporate marquee and team participation in the Tournament Pro-Am. 

Reigning champion Jamie Donaldson returns to defend his title and among his opposition will be home-bred Major Champions Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington. A special home welcome will be reserved for Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, who will be making his first playing appearance in Ireland since his historic appointment earlier this year. 

Former Irish Open Champion and rising star of international golf, Shane Lowry, will have added incentive to win, as he has been the Touring Professional for Carton House since 2012.

“Emirates’ official airline partnership with the 2012 Irish Open was our maiden sponsorship in Ireland and a strategic part of growing and cementing our brand presence in a new, emerging market,” said Margaret Shannon, Country Manager for Emirates in Ireland.

“The Irish Open is one of The European Tour’s best attended tournaments and we are looking forward to meeting and welcoming thousands of golf fans to the Emirates Booth over the four days.”

“Emirates is a world-class partner that brings added global exposure and prestige to the Irish Open,” said James Finnigan of The European Tour and the Commercial Director of the Irish Open. “This event has massive appeal, attracting audiences from all over the world, so it’s appropriate that a like-minded sponsor with an extensive reach and a strong foothold in golf is onboard.”

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Irish Open Strikes Tullow Oil

James Finnigan (left), Commercial Director of the Irish Open, with Kevin Quinn, Brand Projects Manager for Tullow Oil (EuropeanTour)

Tullow Oil, the multi-national oil and gas exploration company founded in Ireland, has joined the list of Official Sponsors for this year’s Irish Open.

Launched in 1986 in Tullow, a small town approximately 35 miles south of Dublin, Tullow Oil has gone on to become an international success story, with a record annual revenue last year of more than $2.3bn.

The company now has its headquarters in London and operates across 25 different countries, but continues to have a strong presence in Ireland. It is returning to its Irish roots as an Official Sponsor of the 2013 Irish Open, which will be held at Carton House, in Co. Kildare, from June 27-30. 

James Finnigan, Commercial Director of the Irish Open, said: “"We are delighted to welcome Tullow Oil to our portfolio of Official Sponsors. It is especially pleasing that an internationally successful company with a strong Irish heritage wants to be associated with Ireland's National Open.

“The tournament promises to be a celebration of the success of Irish golf, with World Number Two and reigning Race to Dubai Champion Rory McIlroy joined in field by Ireland’s three other Major Champions, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell, along with Ireland’s first Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley, so it is a big boost for the tournament to have another internationally successful Irish company on board.”

Kevin Quinn, Tullow Brand Projects Manager, said: “Tullow is delighted to be sponsoring the 2013 Irish Open. Tullow was founded in Ireland in 1986 and we remain listed on the Irish Stock Exchange.

“We continue to have strong connections in Ireland, especially through our Dublin office which contains a great deal of Tullow's geoscience and engineering expertise."

Irish golf fans can now book their tickets to see all four of Ireland’s Major champions, and a host of other European Tour stars, in action at Carton House. An advance season ticket for all four days of The Irish Open can be bought for €70, a saving and €10 on admission at the gate. Adult day tickets are priced at €30 pre-event, and €35 on the gate. Concessions are available at €50 for a season (€60 on the gate) and €20 for any one day (€25 on the gate).

Under-16s accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge and all car parking is also free.

A limited number of reserved seats are still available for ‘Open House@17’ – a unique feature of this year’s Irish Open where spectators can enjoy the fun of the par three 17th hole in a special grandstand for just €10 per day. From this vantage point, fans can view Carton House’s signature hole as well as the action from the rest of the course on big screens.

Anyone who has already purchased reserved seating for the 18th green grandstand will also receive automatic entrance to the 17th stand. All reserved grandstand seating for the 18th on Saturday and Sunday is now sold out.

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