The Irish Golf Club Gazette

3/14/2013

McGinley Keeps Game Focus

One Asia

Paul McGinley hopes the pressures of being Europe's Ryder Cup captain will not adversely affect his performances on the course this season.

The Irishman opened with a solid two-under at the Thailand Open in Bangkok to lie six shots behind first-round leader Koumei Oda.

The 46-year-old, who mixed four birdies with two dropped shots, admitted he was wary of the complications previous Ryder Cup captains have faced when trying to continue their playing careers.

"It is a challenge, there is no doubt about that," said McGinley, whose compatriot Padraig Harrington carded a 67 along with Ryder Cup hopeful Chris Wood.

"I think history proves that being Ryder Cup captain always takes a toll on a captain's playing career.

"I am aware of that history and all the stuff that goes on, but I would like to think I am going to be different and I am going to play well over the next two years. Certainly it is a good motivating factor for me.

"I am playing in America next week and then I have a few weeks off and then I play in China and Korea.

"I have got a good bit of golf coming up and the Ryder Cup stuff I am going to park for the next six weeks and I am going to be a golfer and I am looking forward to that."McGinley, who has twice been a Ryder Cup vice-captain, is aware of the challenge that he will face to maintain a balance between his game and his duties in the lead-up to the 2014 match at Gleneagles, Scotland.
Over the next four days, the Irishman will face stiff competition from defending champion Chris Wood, who also won the Qatar Masters in January, and countryman Padraig Harrington in the $1 million event in Thailand.
McGinley, who has won four European Tour titles, will keenly follow the exploits of Ryder Cup contenders Wood and Harrington.
"Chris Wood does not have to do much to impress me. He has won twice now in last six months," McGinley, who missed the cut in last year's event at Thana City Golf & Sports Club, said.

"I am not afraid to have rookies in the team and I would be very happy if some rookies make the team.

"If Chris makes the team I would be delighted to welcome him aboard. He will be a very good Ryder Cup player one day.

"Padraig and I have played a lot together over the years. We are from the same part of Dublin, went to the same school and our careers have been quite parallel.
"He is one of the established players and another player I would love to see on the team. But to be honest there are 30 to 40 players I would love to see on the team and we have only room for 12.

3/13/2013

Irish Open Winner Targets India

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The 2011 Irish Open winner, Simon Dyson, is determined to tee up in the Avantha Masters this week despite contracting a stomach virus before leaving for India.

It is five years since the Englishman, who is making his debut in this week’s €1.8million tournament, last competed in India on The European Tour, finishing in a tie for 34th at the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic at DLF G&CC – also the host venue for the Avantha Masters for the past three years.

This year, the tournament moves to the stunning Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida, near New Delhi; but Dyson is unlikely to get acquainted with Greg Norman’s design before the first round on Thursday having been laid low with Norovirus, which he contracted from his wife Lyndsey and young daughter Isabella Rose.

Dyson’s breakthrough victory came on Asian soil, at the 2006 Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open, and the 35 year old is hopeful the phrase “beware the injured golfer” proves prophetic this week as he goes in search of a seventh European Tour title.

“I’ve had the virus for a few days now. My wife had it and then my little girl had it too, so I must’ve picked it up from them. I felt really bad all day Saturday then flew out here on Sunday, and I actually felt alright on the flight. But then I started feeling horrendous again yesterday, so we’re back to square one a little bit.

“I had to force myself to get out of bed this morning. I’m probably only going to do a bit of putting practice today then take all day tomorrow off, which means I’ll have to withdraw from the Pro-Am. But hopefully I will have shaken it off by the time the tournament comes round, and I’ll be okay to tee up on Thursday.”

Like his compatriot Dyson, David Howell recently travelled to Mumbai to take part in the inaugural Golf Premier League, a new concept organised by Challenge Tour champion Shiv Kapur which is based loosely on cricket’s Indian Premier League.

A shortened version of the game played partially under floodlights, the tournament pitted teams representing different regions of India against one another, with the competitors – which included Major Champions Michael Campbell, Angel Cabrera and Darren Clarke, whose team emerged victorious – all ‘bought’ at an auction.

Howell, who has played in all three previous of the Avantha Masters, saw great potential in the event, which carried a prize fund of US$400,000 and was televised live.

He said: “It was a lot of fun to do something a bit different, and hopefully the concept takes off. It was a 14-hole, day / night team event, and it’s got great potential. Team golf’s always a lot of fun, and if they can get a few sponsors on board I can really see it taking off. It can be difficult to find the right week in the schedule for those sort of events, but if they can find a suitable date in the diary, I’m sure it could work.”

Pressed on his more serious outings this year, Howell is understandably delighted with a run of form which has included top ten finishes in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship (tied sixth) and the Tshwane Open (tied tenth).

He said: “I’m in a good run of form so I come into the week in confident mood, and if not expecting to do well then at least knowing that it’s a distinct possibility.

“When you’re in a bit of a slump, you can’t really see a way out of it. But bit by bit over the past year the results have picked up, and my confidence and belief have come back. I certainly feel a lot more confident now than I was a year ago, and it’s no coincidence that my game is also a lot better now.”

In contrast, Howell’s fellow former Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari has struggled for form since the start of the year, missing four straight cuts this season.

But, like Howell, the Italian has also recently switched coaches, and believes it is only a matter of time before his fortunes improve.

He said: “I changed coach back in December, so it’s still a work in progress. But I’m very happy with the improvements I’ve made recently in practice. Now it’s a case of taking it out onto the course with me and putting together some good scores, hopefully starting this week.

“It’s my second time here in India – I played an Asian Tour event in Delhi in 2011, and it was great. Lots of people came along to watch, and I’m sure it’ll be the same here this week. I like coming to different parts of the world and playing new courses in different conditions. It’s a nice tournament, and hopefully it will be well supported because it’s always nice to play in front of big crowds.”

3/12/2013

GMAC Goes Nona Blue

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Lake Nona’s newest restaurant, Nona Blue is launching its modern tavern concept March 15, 2013 with local resident Graeme McDowell one of the principal owners.

McDowell gave the concept its name after a victory at the 2012 Tavistock Cup at Lake Nona and dressed in Team Nona blue, McDowell shouted, “Nona Blue!” to supporters and a new eatery’s name was born.

The restaurant’s decor has a updated clubby vibe with exposed brick and dark mahogany and has a 40-seat bar, two captain’s tables, wrap-around booth seating throughout and a seating area with drawn curtains for private dining. An outdoor patio features additional seating, a fireplace and bar.

Menu items include deviled eggs with apple wood smoked bacon, lightly fried oysters, blue cheese kettle chips, a BLT grilled cheese, steaks, fresh fish and a cider-brined pork rib chop. The bar boasts seasonal cocktails and more than 50 different wines and 16 craft beers.

Bill Bona and Joe Davi are principal owners with McDowell.

GMAC has partnered with Bistro Concepts, LLC, and the group has signed a lease for a 5,618 square-foot restaurant at its retail shopping center Lake Nona Village, located on Narcoossee Road between the entrances to the renowned Lake Nona Golf & Country Club and NorthLake Park.

Hoey Defends Trophee Hassan II

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Michael Hoey is excited about the prospect of defending his title in the Trophée Hassan II later this month and hopes the memories of his victory 12 months ago can kick-start his season.

The 34 year old put on a weekend masterclass at Golf du Palais Royal in Morocco in 2012, carding two majestic rounds of 65 for a three shot victory over Ireland’s Damien McGrane.

It was Hoey’s fourth European Tour triumph, adding to wins in the Open de Portugal in 2009 and the Madeira Islands Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2011, and he is hoping to make it five when the tournament returns to Agadir from March 28-31.

“The Sunday was a little surreal at the time,” said Hoey. “I’d been trying to stay in the present all during the round, just take it one shot at a time and not think about the leaderboard. I saw Damian McGrane had dropped a shot on the par five 17th and I managed to make birdie there, so I was playing the last with a three shot lead.

“It was especially satisfying given the way I started the tournament, with a two over par 74. I was in danger of missing the cut but the heart to heart with my coach on Thursday night helped and I shot a 67 on Friday.

“That gave me a lot of confidence. I knew I was swinging the club really well and my putting improved a lot too. To shoot two 65s at the weekend was something pretty special.”

The magnificent Golf du Palais Royal lies in the grounds of the Royal Palace of Agadir and is reserved for the sole use of the Moroccan Royal Family, who have long been generous supporters of golf. As a result it is in immaculate condition when The European Tour arrives for the €1.5million tournament.

“Golf du Palais Royal is a pretty exclusive venue and unlike any other course we play on The European Tour,” Hoey added. “It’s always immaculate and kept in pristine condition for the King. Any tournament played inside palace walls is something special.

“It’s great to have the chance to play a course like this, and I know all the players are very grateful to the Moroccan Royal Family for the opportunity.

“Morocco is a place I enjoy visiting because the people are hospitable, the weather’s usually very good and I enjoy the food and culture. I've also played fairly well there over the years and it’s always nice to return to somewhere you enjoy playing.

“I’ve made a decent start to the year and I’ll be looking to build on that in the next few events before heading to Morocco to defend the title.

“Hopefully I can put in another great performance and become the first player to successfully defend the trophy since the tournament became part of The European Tour schedule in 2010.”

3/11/2013

McIlroy Sticks to Master Plan

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Rory McIlroy will resist the urge to add events to his schedule ahead of the Masters Tournament after getting back to his best on the final day of the WGC - Cadillac Championship.

The two time Major Champion headed to Trump Doral with the eyes of the golfing world upon him following his decision to walk off midway through the second round in last week's Honda Classic.

But focus has returned to his golf, which got better as the week wore on in Miami - culminating in an outstanding 65 on the Blue Monster course today.

He said: "I guess that was what I needed to do this week, because I made plenty of birdies and a couple of eagles and stuff. It was the bogeys and the others that were killing me.

"So to play a round out there today with the conditions the way they are, you know, was very pleasing.

"I think most of you guys know, I probably wear my heart on my sleeve a bit with my golf. If I have a bad round, it's sort of like the end of the world, but if I play a good one, I'm happy again.

"You know, that's just the way it goes. I was pretty down about my game coming into this week, but a few days like I've played, you know, it does my confidence a world of good."

McIlroy's next event - and only one between now and the Masters - will be the Houston Open that gets under way on March 28.

Speaking about his calendar building up the the year's first Major Championship, which begins on April 11 at Augusta National, McIlroy added: "I'm going to keep it the way it is.

"I'm looking forward to putting some hard work in over the next few weeks and I'm going to Houston and get ready for Augusta."