The Irish Golf Club Gazette

5/17/2013

Melbourne World Cup Confusion

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There is confusion over what Irish representation will be at this year's World Cup amid reports that a Northern Ireland team may play in Melbourne. In previous World Cups, an all-island Ireland team has competed.

However, the issue over whether Rory McIlroy or Graeme McDowell should represent Britain or Ireland in the Olympics could affect the World Cup.

World Cup organisers said earlier this week that a Northern Ireland team would compete at Royal Melbourne.

This was announced in a statement from the International Federation of PGA Tours as the Australian course was officially unveiled as the venue for the World Cup on 21-24 November.

"The major difference between the World Cup qualification model and that of the Olympic golf competition is that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will each be considered a separate country," said the International Federation of PGA Tours statement.

There was no reference in the statement to whether an Ireland or Republic of Ireland team will also compete in Australia.

McIlroy and McDowell have played for Ireland in the last two World Cups but McIlroy confirmed last month that he would not do so this year as it would rule out the possibility of him playing for Great Britain in the 2016 Olympics.

For his part, McDowell said that he was determined to play at Royal Melbourne even if that closed the door to him representing Britain at the Rio Olympics.

McDowell added that he wanted world number two McIlroy to be his partner in Australia.

On hearing of the apparent change earlier this week, McIlroy said: "That might change things a little".

Players and countries are selected from the world ranking until the 60-man field is set for the event, which runs from 21-24 November.

New Path for Rory McIlroy?

Rory McIlroy is expected to split with his current agents to set up his own management company, barely a year after parting company with his former representatives at ISM.

McIlroy, the world No. 2, is currently represented by Dublin-based Horizon Sports after leaving Chubby Chandler's International Sports Management (ISM) agency in 2011.

At the time of his split with ISM McIlory said he was unhappy with the way his career was moving and soon after signed with Horizon. He has since made the decision to re-locate to the United States and has also agreed a variety of new endorsements - including an agreement with Nike.

The 24-year-old Holywood born golfer is now widely expected to create his own management company to deal with his affairs - with family and close friends tasked with looking out for his interests.

Horizon chief Conor Ridge refused to comment when asked if McIlroy is set to split from the company, despite insistence in the Irish media that the decision has already been made.

"We simply do not comment on industry rumours or speculation," Ridge told the Irish Independent. "Horizon Sports Management always has and always will give first priority to the confidentiality of its clients."

McIlroy is expected to strike out on his own, having taken the advice of tennis superstar Roger Federer - who, along with his long-time agent, left global agency IMG last year to handle his affairs directly.

A third Nike ambassador, world No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods, previously did something similar with the IMG agent he had his entire professional career, Mark Steinberg.

"He's a role model, someone I can pattern myself after," McIlroy told the New York Times, speaking about Federer's handling of his image.

While dissatisfaction with some of his sponsorship deals and a rift with other senior clients - notably Westwood - was believed to be a factor in McIlroy's departure from ISM, no reason has been given for his decision to leave Horizon.

However, McIlroy was widely criticised for his walk-off at the recent Honda Classic - an event Horizon agent was present and one where the company put out a confusing statement that only fuelled the controversy.

"I'm not going to say we handled it perfectly," Ridge said of the tournament. "I'm sure we could have done something better."

Some of McIlroy's other comments to the New York Times suggest he craves the personal approach, perhaps to a greater extent than even Horizon can offer.

"There's no set way to do it," McIlroy said about his representation. "I think it's a good thing for me that I'm with a smaller company. They are always looking out for what's best for me."

"What we're dealing with and what's going on in my life now is new to everyone around me and it's a learning experience and it's a learning curve and you learn every day.

5/14/2013

Donaldson Eyes Irish Open

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Jamie Donaldson will again hope to hold off the formidable challenge of Ireland’s Major Champions, when he defends his Irish Open title at Carton House, in Co. Kildare, from June 27-30.

The Welshman claimed his maiden European Tour victory with a dominant performance at Royal Portrush last year, with Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy among those left trailing in his wake.

Donaldson then defeated another world-class field, which included current World Number Two McIlroy, as well as 14-time Major Champion Tiger Woods, to clinch his second European Tour title with an equally impressive performance in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in January.

With Ireland’s quartet of Major Champions already confirmed as part of the field for the 2013 Irish Open, Donaldson will have to be at his very best again if he is to become the first player to successfully defend the title since Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie in 1997.

It is the Montgomerie Course at Carton House that awaits The European Tour players in June, and despite it being a different challenge to the links of Royal Portrush, Donaldson cannot wait to defend his title there at the end of a big month for European golf, starting with next week’s BMW PGA Championship.

“It’s a different golf course, but Carton House is a tough test as well,” he said. “They are all tough, the courses we play in Ireland. Carton House is particularly hard, but I’m looking forward to it and it will be great to defend my title there.”

Donaldson’s career was at a crossroads the last time The European Tour visited Carton House in 2006, but the Welshman will not be short of confidence when he returns to Co. Kildare to defend his Irish Open title.

The 37 year old, whose game at the time was affected by a back injury, missed the cut on both previous occasions the Irish Open visited Carton House, in 2005 and 2006, and was forced to rebuild his game on the Challenge Tour.

But his career has been on an upward trajectory since regaining his playing rights for the 2008 season, and his victory at Royal Portrush last year helped him to a career best 19th place finish in The Race to Dubai.

His win in Abu Dhabi moved him into the World’s top 30, meaning he played in both the WGC-Accenture Match Play and the WGC-Cadillac Championship, before he made his debut in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National in April.

But it was his victory in the Irish Open that began Donaldson’s remarkable ascent, as he ended a 255 tournament wait for a European Tour title courtesy of a wire-to-wire, four stroke win in front of a sell-out crowd at Royal Portrush.

Donaldson hopes the support of Irish golf fans can again inspire him to a successful defence.

“It was a massive thrill to win last year,” he said. “Portrush is an incredible golf course and the crowds were massive all week. I love playing links courses by the ocean and it was great to win on one.

“The crowds were fantastic, the support was immense and there was great buzz about the place. Everyone was cheering and there was noise all over the golf course. It was a really good day. I played well from the word go and it was great to win in style like that.

“The crowds are important and they are always good for the Irish Open. If they are anywhere near as good as they were last year, they will be immense. But there will be big crowds as there were last year and I’m sure they will build on it at Carton House.”

Lawrie Launches RESPECT Ireland

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Peter Lawrie visited St Louise’s Centre in Glenmaroon to help launch RESPECT Ireland as the Official Charity of the 2013 Irish Open, to be played at Carton House Golf Club in Co. Kildare from June 27-30.

RESPECT Ireland has been chosen by the Trustees of The European Tour charitable arm, the Tour Players Foundation (TPF), due to the sterling work it does for people of all ages with intellectual disabilities in the Dublin area and its strong association with the host venue Carton House and the venue owners, the Mallaghan Family.

The charity has two residential care projects in the Dublin area (within 20km of Carton House) – St Joseph’s, Consilla, and the other at St Louise’s Centre, Glenmaroon, both offering specially designed accommodation and hospice facilities, which were in evidence during today’s official launch.

RESPECT Ireland is an esteemed Registered Charity, responsible for fundraising projects for people with intellectual disabilities of all ages within the Daughters of Charity Service and well supported in the business and sports/entertainment sectors in Ireland.

RESPECT staff were joined by key stakeholders from this year’s Irish Open during the visit to St Louise’s Centre, the state-of-the-art second Centre opened by RESPECT Ireland which takes the form of nine specially-designed bungalows, a day care area and restaurant. The visiting party included members of the Mallaghan family and former Spanish Open champion Lawrie, who is a strong supporter of both RESPECT and the Tour Players Foundation.

The charity will benefit greatly from a number of fundraising activities which will take place during the Irish Open at Carton House, engaging sponsors, partners and spectators alike in support of the Official Charity.

Lawrie, one of the leading Irish players who will be bidding to capture the Irish Open title over the Montgomerie Course at Carton House next month, said: “I have supported RESPECT for a number of years, so its wonderful to see them benefit from the Irish Open’s return to the Dublin area, as this and their Centre in Consilla are key to the fabulous difference they make to people of all ages with intellectual disabilities.”

Dermot Desmond, Chairman of RESPECT Ireland, said: "The Irish Open Championship hosted at Carton House will bring together the top golfers from around the world. RESPECT is very pleased to be the chosen Charity for this year’s Irish Open, offering a wonderful opportunity to highlight the work of RESPECT as we look to the future for our people with an intellectual disability and securing a better and brighter future for all of our people."

Lee Mallaghan, a Director of both Carton House and RESPECT Ireland, said: “The Mallaghan family has been involved with RESPECT for over 20 years and we feel honoured to have been able to assist in many fundraising activities during that period. We are very grateful that a cause so close to our hearts will be directly associated with Carton House and the Irish Open and we hope it will be a wonderful event for all concerned.”

Mark Roe, former European Tour player and Chairman of the Tour Players Foundation, commented: “RESPECT was the standout candidate for the Official Charity of this year’s Irish Open and we look forward to creating awareness of the great work that they do locally with Carton House and help them to raise much needed funds for their future projects.”

McGinley Gears Up for Gleneagles

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Europe's Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley is already gearing up for the 2014 contest at Gleneagles - even though the first ball will not be struck for another 16 months.

The Irishman has been chosen to succeed Jose Maria Olazabal and is going up against boyhood hero Tom Watson, who will be 65 when he takes charge of the United States.

The qualification process for the European team starts in September and McGinley is against making any changes to the course in Scotland until he has a greater understanding of the make-up of both teams.

McGinley is also wary of making the course too difficult next year, factoring in the unpredictable weather and the impact it could have on the enjoyment and ability of the players.

Experience

"I'm picturing the first tee. I'm picturing the crowd. I'm picturing the stands. The stadium people have already told me that this will be bigger than Celtic Manor - and Celtic Manor is the biggest first tee experience I've ever experienced in my Ryder Cups," he told Sky Sports.

"I've the prerogative of how I want to set a golf course up. I think there's not much I can do until I see how the teams are formulating and see what the European team is going to be like, see what the American team is going to be like. Is there a massive advantage one way or another? And I can tailor the golf course accordingly?

"The big question mark over here is, end of September in Scotland what kind of weather are we going to have? I don't want the players to look foolish and I don't want to kill the Ryder Cup by making it too difficult if the weather turns against us.

"We have experience of playing this golf course and we'll just have to see how it works out and how it all evolves. At the moment I have no definitive ideas.

"I owe the Ryder Cup a lot. Any time the words are mentioned it excites me. To be in a position to be captaining what would be a very strong European team excites me as well. It's a great time in my life.