Donald Becomes New World Number 1

The new world number one Luke Donald banished the memories of his late collapse in the 2010 PGA Championship when he won the European Tour’s flagship event for the first time yesterday.

“I lost it by making a double-bogey seven at the 17th last year and losing by one (to fellow Briton) Simon Khan was very disappointing,” Donald said after beating Lee Westwood with a birdie four at the first hole of their Wentworth play-off.

“It was tough to take. Second place is no fun and I am sure Lee is feeling that right now. You feel so close yet so far away.

“Those bad memories from last year are replaced from the good ones I have from today,” said the 33-year-old.

Donald paid tribute to Westwood after knocking his fellow Englishman off the top of the rankings.

“He is a hell of a player and he doesn’t back down,” said Donald. “He was a deserved number one and I knew it would be tough in the play-off.

“I felt a little bit bad for Lee there. He hit a decent shot at the 18th in the play-off, it just had a little bit too much spin on the green and went back into the water.”

Donald said it was already feeling strange to be described as the world number one.

“It’s a little surreal,” he explained. “It’s hard to believe, in a certain way.

“But obviously it’s a special accomplishment and something I will remember forever.

“It’s something that will be a great story when I’m an old man telling my grandkids I was once the best player in the world at golf,” Donald added.

“You keep telling yourself you have the ability and the talent but you never quite really know. Whether it will change me, I don’t think so.

“It doesn’t mean I’m done now. I’ve still got a lot of work to do, hopefully a lot more titles to pick up and I can keep going from strength to strength,” said Donald.

Els Believes West Course Rewards Risk

Ernie Els came in for some fierce criticism 12 months ago after he and billionaire club owner Richard Caring toughened up the West Course, including the introduction of a stream in front of the famous final hole.

The idea was to make it more risk-reward, but for the vast majority there was too much risk and not enough reward.

Simon Khan won the title after Luke Donald, needing an eagle to tie after taking seven on the long 17th, still laid up short of the water and had to try to pitch in.

He almost made it, but now the target has been made more enticing with a bigger and lower green.

'I guess you could say it's taken two bites of the cherry to get it exactly as we wanted, but this ultimately is the best solution for this iconic finishing hole,' said Els on his website.

'It's a fair balance of risk and reward and that small extra margin for error definitely makes a difference to a player's shot selection.

'I believe more guys will take it on in two at this year's championship. I hope so anyway. It may help produce an exciting climax, which is what a tournament of this stature deserves.

'Updating a classic golf course, one of the most famous in the world in the case of Wentworth, is an honour and at the same time a huge responsibility.

'We're proud of what we have achieved and we feel it has firmly established the course as one of the game's finest inland lay-outs.

'After last year's championship a decision was taken to make a couple more minor adjustments - to the eighth green where we've softened the spine running through the centre of the green and primarily on the 18th, where we lowered the green by 50 centimetres and made the putting surface bigger by 25%.

'We also carried out subtle recontouring to the green complex, making it somewhat more inviting for second shots.'

Els may not have taken the PGA title, but he won a record seven World Match Plays on the course.

'Every year this is one of my personal favourite stops in my playing schedule,' he added.

'You could call this part of the world pretty much home turf for me, having had a house here on the Wentworth estate for more than 10 years.

'I know the ins and outs and twists and turns of this golf course probably as well as any other course in the world.

'And this is a wonderful tournament - one that I believe can hold its own in the very highest company.

'Everything about it is pure class - the golf course, the field, the way the tournament is run and the way the players are looked after.

'Also the British golf fans are among the best in the world. This year's tournament is that bit more special, as it is the first time all four current major champions are competing in the field.

'Two of them are South African (Open winner Louis Oosthuizen and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel), both fine young men and good friends of mine, which is a great showcase for our nation's golfing talent and I know a real inspiration to many young kids back home.

'So, it should be a great week for the players, the fans and for the European Tour in general.'

BMW PGA Championship leader board - LIVE SCORING

Harrington Disappointed to Miss BMW

Harrington at R&A clinic in Sunningdale

Padraig Harrington has spoken of his frustration at being forced out of this week's BMW PGA Championship through injury.

The Dubliner has been sidelined by a knee injury and admits he is "absolutely gutted" to miss the European Tour's flagship event at Wentworth.

Indeed, such is his disappointment that the 39-year-old has decided to spend this weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix rather than put himself through the agony of watching.

"It's so hard, especially when I was starting to feel good at the weekend," he stated.

"I was thinking I might have pulled out a bit early, but it's gone from acute pain to persistent niggling pain and it seems the physios know a thing or two."

"I've never been to a Grand Prix, but I can't sit at home watching another tournament and I'm basically going to have a week's holiday to get me away from the temptation of practising." 

Padraig HarringtonQuotes of the week

Harrington was at nearby Sunningdale on Tuesday in his role as a Royal and Ancient Club ambassador for a clinic with schoolchildren brought together by the Golf Foundation charity.

He also found time to attend the European Tour's awards dinner at a Heathrow hotel last night, but from there it was off to Monte Carlo rather than Wentworth.

"I've never been to a Grand Prix, but I can't sit at home watching another tournament and I'm basically going to have a week's holiday to get me away from the temptation of practising," he added.

Harrington expects to reacquaint himself with his clubs next week when he makes a trip to this year's Open Championship venue, Sandwich.

Meanwhile, his next tournament appearance will be in Memphis at the St Jude Classic on June 9th - 12th, a week before the US Open.

Tiger Agent Mark Steinberg Leaves IMG

Tiger Woods and Mark Steinberg

Mark Steinberg, the agent for Tiger Woods the last 12 years and head of the IMG golf division, did not renew his contract this week and is no longer with the sports management company.

IMG announced a reorganisation of its golf division Tuesday evening, with Steinberg no longer involved. The move could lead to Woods leaving Cleveland-based IMG, which has represented him his entire career.

Steinberg's contract was to expire in June.

He was negotiating a new deal with IMG on Tuesday when talks broke down, according to two officials aware of the discussions. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information.

Steinberg did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

The officials said Woods and Annika Sorenstam would be free to leave IMG and stay with Steinberg if they wanted. Woods signed with IMG when he turned pro in August 1996, and Steinberg became his agent three years later.

At a press conference earlier Tuesday to promote the AT&T National outside Philadelphia, Woods was asked about his future with IMG and with Steinberg.

"I'm committed to both, with IMG, and Mark's my agent," Woods said. "It's been a great relationship. I had a chance to go through a lot of ... basically my entire professional career and learn a lot about the business."

Woods spoke of going to several dinners with IMG founder Mark H. McCormack until he died in 2003.

"Then obviously, my relationship with Mark (Steinberg)," he said. "But I'm very happy with both."

Woods has a close relationship with Steinberg, a reserve on the Illinois basketball team that went to the Final Four in 1989. If he were to leave IMG and stay with Steinberg, it likely would not make much of a difference in his golf schedule or even his endorsements, as Steinberg did most of that work.

Steinberg has been actively seeking an endorsement for Woods' bag since late last fall.

In a two-sentence press release Tuesday evening, IMG said Guy Kinnings and Robbie Henchman would be co-heads of IMG Golf. Kinnings was senior vice president of European golf operations, while Henchman was senior vice president of golf in Asia Pacific.

Alastair Johnston, the vice chairman of IMG, will oversee the business of the golf division.

IMG's billionaire owner, 71-year-old Ted Forstmann, is battling brain cancer. 

In an interview published Tuesday in The New York Times, Forstmann said he wants to build IMG "quicker than I was going to" so he can pour the money into a charitable trust and give it away.

Garcia Forced out of Open Qualifier

Sergio Garcia

England’s Brian Davis topped the qualifiers for the British Open after a six under par round of 64 at the Gleneagles Club in Plano, Texas as Sergio Garcia was forced out with an infected fingernail.

Davis finished one shot ahead of American Chad Campbell as heavy rain forced the qualifier to be reduced from 36 holes to 18. No longer exempt after falling out of the world’s top 50, Garcia was on level par when he quit after four holes.

Runner-up to Padraig Harrington at Carnoustie four years ago after bogeying the final hole and then losing a play-off, the 31-year-old Spaniard could still make it to Sandwich in July through upcoming events.

But now 73rd in the world — he was second behind Tiger Woods just over two years ago — he has also entered a qualifying event in Memphis on June 6th for the US Open the following week.

Joining Davis and Campbell in July will be Australia’s Nathan Green who shot a 66, a score matched by Americans Davis Love III, Spencer Levin, Chris Tidland and Bob Estes. The final spot on offer went to a Jerry Kelly after a play-off.

Manuel Shares Memories at Seve ProAm

Olazabal and Jimenez at Seve Pro Am

Manuel Ballesteros broke down in tears as some of golf's biggest names turned up at Wentworth on Monday to pay tribute to his late brother Severiano.

Manuel was an experienced professional himself and had already won in Europe when his younger brother burst on to the scene in the mid-1970s.

However, Ballesteros senior put his own career to one side in order to help Seve, who died earlier this month at the age of 54 after a two-year battle with brain cancer, start on the road to greatness.

"I have so much history with Seve, more than his nephews, more than my other two brothers, more than the rest of the family," 61-year-old Manuel said.

"I used to travel with him on the circuit, I shared a room with him, practised with him. I was there with him when he won all five of his majors, apart from the 1983 US Masters.

"He was the most charismatic player, the player with the most genius. But I have lost my brother, not a golfing genius, and he was someone I was very proud of," said a tearful Manuel as he made his way up the hill leading to the iconic Wentworth clubhouse.

Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal, eight-times European number one Colin Montgomerie, U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, Retief Goosen, Paul Casey, Justin Rose and Ross Fisher were among the competitors in Monday's 'Ole Seve' pro-am.

All funds raised from the event were in aid of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation and Cancer Research UK.

Manuel, who won twice during his professional career, paid an especially warm tribute to Seve's former Ryder Cup partner Olazabal.

"He and Seve were very good friends."

Manuel revealed he had serious health problems of his own shortly before his brother's death.

"I had heart surgery 15 days before he died," said the 61-year-old. "I feel better but I still feel some pain and I take tablets to help.

"I have nothing artificial round my heart but I feel lucky to be alive. I said before the surgery, 'Don't tell Seve because he has enough on his mind', but someone from the family told him and he was crying, crying, crying.

"I'm not angry but I was upset by that."

His eyes lit up though when he looked back fondly at Seve's early days on tour.

"He was 17 when he started and I was 25," Manuel explained. "I had already been playing tournaments for seven years in Europe so I did everything for him, booked his air tickets, accommodation, everything off the course, so that nobody would bother him.

"All he needed to concentrate on was practice, practice, practice and playing, playing, playing."

Manuel said his handsome young brother was always destined to be a top golfer.

Asked if he knew Seve would one day be the world number one, he replied: 'No, not really - who can be sure that his own brother can be the best player in the world?

"I knew he was going to be a really good player but I never imagined he could win five majors. I am no god but I knew at that age he was going to be one of the best, at least in Europe."

All The Fun May End in Tweers....

Ian Poulter

It all started off as a bit of fun between a group of golfers - Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood - providing for the most part good banter and jokes for following fans. Along with some valuable quotes for journalists which more often than not end up as newspaper quotes. 

But now the experiences of other sports have crept in as the negative element of Twitter threatens to claim another casualty as world number one, Westwood, is suggesting he will close his account. The change of mind comes after some abusive messages which has left the Worksop professional somewhat baffled. 

“It’s a shame people can’t distinguish between abuse and banter,’ said Westwood, who has more than 200,000 followers. ‘It’s supposed to be social media not social slagging and it’s losing its meaning. It’s pathetic, the way people are spoiling it.’ 

Graeme McDowell currently has 160,000 followers and explained his experince. ‘I’d say there’s three per cent nastiness and some of them are downright evil,’ he said. ‘I think they call them “trolls”. 

In Twitter, or Internet speak, a troll is someone who posts off-topic messages in an online community, with the primary intent of provoking response. 

As McDowell acknowledges “What you can’t do is humour them. But I think if you want to use Twitter as a tool to interact with the real fans, you have to accept there will be a few sad cases.’ 

Former Open champion Paul Lawrie closed his account last year, albeit for different reasons, fed up after both his Facebook and Twitter accounts were hacked into. 

In the golf world the interaction between the younger golfers had become legendary with a number of them also dedicating time to answering fans queries and questions - when flight delays at airports permitted. In one of those instances, Rory McIlory clarified enquiries about his car with a photo of the vehicle parked in his garage after it had been incorrectly reported that the Holywood golfer had splashed out on a Bugatti Veyron worth some $2 million. 

However McIlroy used his Twitter account to discount the claims describing them as "utter rubbish". 

During the Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor last autumn team Captain Colin Montgomerie allowed the players use Twitter and during various times of the four days the players shared photos and videos of events backstage, much to the delight of fans worldwide. 

At the time McDowell, explained that Montgomerie's position came after Europe's captain had asked his team not to use the social networking site. 

"Monty doesn't want to go banning Twitter," McDowell said. "We are all adults. It goes without saying that we are not going to say something that would unduly affect our team or give any strategy or secrets or tactics away. 

"He trusts us obviously not to do anything too stupid out there. There's been some pretty famous mistakes made in Twitter in the past few months. We are not banned. But I don't think we'll be going crazy on it, either." 

Montgomerie's reticence followed the tweet by England cricketer, Kevin Pietersen, who commented sarcastically on the social network after he was informed that he had been dropped. In doing so the batsman joined a number of athletes to find themselves caught out by the social networking site and had to issue a clarification as a result. 

For Ian Poulter it was weeks after the event that he found himself at the centre of unwanted attention after he uploaded a video showing breakfast being eaten out of the Samuel Ryder trophy with his children. In the short clip, Poulter can be heard saying to the camera “This is breakfast with the Ryder cup', before tipping the cereal into the trophy, pouring over milk and eating it in his kitchen. 

For many it was a step too far, even for the unorthodox English golfer, and was viewed by some  as disrespectful. 

In reality the enduring nature of Twitter is something that is becoming increasingly tested, despite many fans becoming addicted to the sometimes mundane news updates of sports people and celebrities. But in recent months, and indeed weeks, there are increasing instances of information making it to the airwaves that would not meet the basic editorial guidelines of quality news publications. 

It started last January when former Liverpool player Ryan Babel apologised for comments he made about referee Howard Webb in the aftermath of Liverpool's FA Cup exit to Manchester United. The footballer had used his Twitter account to post a mocked-up picture of Webb wearing a United shirt, after the World Cup official awarded the home side a first-minute penalty and sent off Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. 

The result was Ryan Babel accepted a charge of improper conduct from the Football Association. 

On Friday Sir Alex Ferguson added his thoughts to the Twitter argument confirming that the club were looking at how best to solve the problems after Wayne Rooney became embroiled in recent days in some very negative tweets from followers 

Teammate Darron Gibson closed his account within two hours after receiving largescale abuse some weeks ago. 

“I don’t understand it to be honest with you,” said Ferguson . “I don’t know why anybody can be bothered with that kind of stuff. How do you find the time to do that? There are a million things you can do in your life without that. 

“Get yourself down to the library and read a book. Seriously. It is a waste of time. 

“It seems to have a certain momentum at the moment. Everyone seems to want to do it.”

Business as Usual at Lough Erne Resort

Lough Erne Resort

Jonathan Stapleton General Manager at Lough Erne Resort has said:

"Effectively Castle Hume Leisure Limited who owns Lough Erne Resort that has gone into administration, not Lough Erne Resort itself."

Lough Erne Resort has been trading prosperously for the last year and will continue to do so, therefore it is business as usual for The Resort, it's dedicated staff and valued guests, which means that our customers can be assured of our continued commitment to delivering the very highest standards of service and attention to detail at all times, for which Lough Erne Resort has become renowned both domestically and internationally."

"I just want to assure everyone that it is business as usual at Lough Erne Resort and that we are all committed more than ever to delivering excellence for which we are renowned."

On Thursday John Hansen and Stuart Irwin of KPMG, where appointed joint administrators of Castle Hume Leisure Limited. 

He said: "It is our intention to continue trading and keep this outstanding resort open for 'business as usual' including weddings and all other bookings. The joint administrators will seek to find a new owner. However, in the meantime it is our intention to keep the business open and indeed drive the business forward at every opportunity."

"On the issue of jobs at the resort, he said: "It is early in the Administration process, but our intention at present is to keep the workforce intact. We will keep all matters under review in the coming days and weeks."

The administrators have appointed an experienced hotel operator to assist them in the ongoing management of the resort. Mr Hansen said this could enable it to continue trading, meet current bookings and reservations and to secure future bookings.

"Given the great location and our stated intentions we hope that people will continue to book and our immediate objective is to secure operations, honour bookings and work with the existing staff. We will look at selling the resort in due course," he concluded.

Faldo and Monty Want Seve Logo

Colin Montgomerie and Sir Nick Faldo have added their names to the campaign to have the image of the late Seve Ballesteros on the logo of the European Tour.

The logo is currently a silhouette of Harry Vardon - Open champion a record six times between 1896 and 1914 - but the two Ryder Cup captains gave their views after attending today's funeral in Spain.

''I think you will find it does change and let's hope it is sooner rather than later,'' said Montgomerie. ''I would vote for that immediately.''When you talk about the European Tour you talk about Seve and I think it's only right he should appear on our logo.''Montgomerie described the funeral service as ''very sad and moving, but after this mournful day we have to start to celebrate his life''.

Faldo, who flew from America to London in time to join a private jet to Spain organised by the European Tour, added: ''I think they (the Tour) would have a very difficult time not changing the logo.

''From day one I said to George (Tour executive director George O'Grady) 'Come on - we are not 110-year-old golfers'.''There will never be another Seve. He had everything - the good looks, the charisma, the smile, the walk and the swashbuckling golf game.

''We shared lots of battles and it's tragic. We would have been mates and we've lost out on that. We always had mutual respect, but we never realised the level of feelings that we had for each other.''

Adios Seve....Que Descances en Paz

"Seve Ballesteros goes after a golf course the way a lion goes after a zebra."

Jim Murray Los Angeles Times

Tony Jacklin - Seve Was a One-Man Army

SEVE WAS A ONE-MAN ARMY | Sporting Life - Golf News

Silence falls in heart of Ryder Cup history

Seve Ballesteros: silence falls in the heart of Ryder Cup team history | Ken Schofield | The Guardian

Severiano Ballesteros 1957 - 2011

Today, at 2.10 a.m. Spanish time, Seve Ballesteros passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Pedreña. 

The Ballesteros family is very grateful for all the support and gestures of love that have been received since Seve was diagnosed with a brain tumour on 5th October 2008 at Madrid Hospital la Paz. 

At this time the family asks for respect and privacy at such a painful time. 

Thank you very much.

Seve Suffers Deterioration in Health

The family of Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros has announced that the 54-year-old has suffered a 'severe deterioration' as he battles a brain tumour.

The five-time major winning Spaniard, who is being cared for at home in the northern Spanish town of Pedrena, is recovering from surgeries performed in 2008 to remove a malignant tumor from his brain.

A statement on his official website read: 'The family of Seve Ballesteros can report a severe deterioration in his neurological condition.'

Ballesteros, who announced his retirement from golf in 2007, collapsed at Madrid Airport in October 2008 and two days later it was confirmed he was suffering from a brain tumour

He underwent an initial 12-hour operation, but further surgery was necessary before he was well enough to return home and begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

'I am very motivated and working hard, although I am aware that my recovery will be slow and therefore I need to be patient and have a lot of determination,' he said at the time.

The five-time major winner Ballesteros was forced to retire from the game in 2007 due to his condition

After a second course of chemotherapy at Madrid's Le Paz Hospital in February 2009 he said on his website: 'The results of the check-up were really positive, better even than the first ones.'

Two more courses followed and four months later Ballesteros made his first public appearance, saying it was 'a miracle' to be alive.

In December 2009 he appeared on television to receive the BBC's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sports Personality of the Year event.

He won the Open three times, the Masters twice and played an inspirational role in the Ryder Cup, helping Europe to lift the trophy in 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995 before captaining them to another victory at Valderrama two years later.

Ballesteros turned professional in 1974 at the age of 16 and made his first huge impact two years later by finishing second in the Open alongside Jack Nicklaus at Royal Birkdale.

Golden touch: Ballesteros celebrated success in the Ryder Cup five times - four as a player and once as captain of Europe

His first major title came in the 1979 Open at Royal Lytham, he then became Masters champion in 1980 and 1983 and lifted the Claret Jug again at St Andrews in 1984 - arguably his greatest moment - and back at Lytham in 1988.

After a total of 87 tournament wins, his retirement came following years of battling an arthritic back and knee problems.

He was planning a farewell appearance for British fans at last year's Open at St Andrews - not in the main event, but in the four-hole Champions Challenge - but was not well enough to travel.

Only last month Phil Mickelson decided on a Spanish menu for the Champions Dinner at The Masters in Augusta in honour of Ballesteros.

David Mortimer Take Clubs to Galway

David Mortimer [INPHO]

David Mortimer went into the final weeks of last season after a hectic period which had seen him qualify for Stage 2 of the European Tour Qualifying School at Dundonald Links in Scotland, then racing back to play in the Connemara Pro-Am, after which it was four rounds of the Ladbrokes Irish PGA Championship at Seapoint Golf Club – which he won on the last green with an eagle putt.

From the moment he won the Glenmuir PGA Championship at The Oxfordshire last August the season continued to be good for David Mortimer even though the final event of the season at Mount Juliet brought disappointment with a round of 78. Having been in the chase for the title Mortimer uncharacteristically struggled in the one day final event but still finished the season in 3rd spot in the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet.

At Stage 2 of Q School Mortimer in November Mortimer also fell short failing to make it to the final stage at the PGA Catalunya

On the Irish PGA Region last season Mortimer notched up five wins including the Dundrum House Pro-Am and most significantly, the 2010 Irish PGA Championships title for a second time – following his win at the Druids Heath in 2006. The rewards this season for Mortimer include a start at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth later this month and the Irish Open in Killarney in July.

Mortimer will combine these events with his new role as the professional at Galway Golf Club.

Born in Connemara Mortimer saw golf enter his life early on after discovering the Par 3 course at Renvyle House just beside the family home. Since those days David has taken more than a passing interest in golf receiving recognition along the way at Interprovincial level, Irish Youths and Irish Seniors level. 

Fact File: 

DOB: August 23rd, 1975 

Attachment - Galway Golf Club 

Turned Professional - 2002 

Achievements 

2010 Winner Irish PGA Championship, Seapoint Golf Club 

2010 Winner of Glenmuir PGA Championship, The Oxfordshire 

2006 Winner of the Irish PGA Championship in 2006 

2005 2nd British Assistant Championship; 6th Irish PGA Championship 

2004 1st Stage 1 European Tour Qualifying School 

2003 2nd Irish Assistant Championship and 10th Irish PGA Championship 

Selected for the Connacht youths team in 1994 and senior team. 

Played 9 years with the Connacht Senior Interprovinical team from 1994 - 2002. 

In 2000 selected to represent Irish in the Governor Hugh Carey Cup. 

www.galwaygolf.com

Ted Higgins Tees Off in Tullow Venue

Ted Higgins Jnr

Last season Ted Higgins finished in seventeenth place in the Irish PGA Lexus Race to Mount Juliet, in association with PING and Failte Ireland, playing an impressive round of golf on the final day of the season at the Mount Juliet venue – coming close to winning the one day tournament. In the end the more natural order of things ensured that it was his cousin David Higgins, the full time professional, who took all the honours, and deservedly so after a seven under par round of 65. 

It was a memorable return to the Kilkenny course for Ted Higgins, who had been Head Professional and Assistant Director of Golf at Mount Juliet between 1997 and 2002 proving his talent at the season finale on the Irish PGA Region. Since leaving Mount Juliet has regularly played Irish PGA Tour, Euro Pro Tour, European Challenge Tour and Mini Tour events in the U.S.A during the winter months, which culminated in the European Tour Qualifying School in 2007 where he secured a European Challenge Tour ranking for the 2008 season. 

Prior to Mount Juliet in 1997 Higgins was Senior Assistant Professional at Royal County Down Golf Club, in Newcastle, County Down. 

After returning to Northern Ireland in 2002 Higgins became involved in cross community teaching in association with several local schools and golf clubs in Fintona and his experience included the Irish Special Olympic team, individual coaching for Curtis Cup and Ladies European Tour player, Susie O’Brien. In 2005 the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) awarded Ted the status of “Advanced PGA Professional”. 

As an amateur Higgins played junior and senior golf winning competitions at national level in individual and team events. In addition was selected for Cork, Munster and Irish Teams with selected golfing achievements as an amateur that include, Runner up Munster Youths Sports Star of the Year, Player of the Year in Christian Brothers College, Won Senior Presidents Prize in Ballybunnion, County Kerry and Amateur Course Records 

In September 1995 he turned Professional in September and became a fully qualified PGA professional in November 1997. 

In 2009 Ted Higgins put his time into building a team of Irish professionals all focused on breaking through European Tour Qualifying School into the major ranks within two seasons and as a result created FORE Ireland, which also included David Mortimer, Michael Collins and Mark Staunton. In 2010 the team was joined by 1995 Ryder Cup star, Philip Walton. 

Although the objective of reaching the major paid ranks was not achieved the team enjoyed much success on the Irish Region for two seasons and all finished with improved records in 2010. For David Mortimer it was a bumper year winning the Irish PGA Championship at Seapoint Golf Club and the Glenmuir PGA professional Championship at The Oxfordshire. For Michael Collins a top eight finish in the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet last October ensured a return trip to the Irish Open in Killarney next July, with Mark Staunton narrowly missing out his chance by a few points. 

This week Ted Higgins embarks in his new role as the Professional at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in Tullow, County Carlow, returning to his natural vocation having given the game his full attention for last two seasons. 

Factfile: 

Date of Birth: December 28th, 1972 

Attachment: FORE Ireland / Mount Wolseley

Turned Pro: 1995

www.mountwolseley.ie