Mount Wolseley Volopa Challenge Returns

The European Challenge Tour’s return for the second year in succession, for the Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, was officially launched

The tournament, which takes place from September 8–11, will mark the return of this prestigious event to the stunning Christy O’Connor Jnr-designed Championship course at Mount Wolseley - located one hour from Dublin – which will again host this major professional event under the auspices of the European Tour.

The late Christy O’Connor Jnr, whose two-iron shot at the 18th hole of The Belfry on the way to Europe retaining The 1989 Ryder Cup is regarded as one of the greatest shots in the tournament’s long history, will be fondly remembered.

As a honoured Ambassador to the event last year, Christy said: “Mount Wolseley is truly one of my proudest creations as a course designer so I am thrilled that it will play host to some of Ireland, Europe and the world’s most promising young stars for such a prestigious event.”

The idyllic and lush parkland course is sure to test every facet of the players’ games while also providing plentiful enjoyment for hugely talented golfers who travel the globe and play on some of the best courses in the world.

The Challenge Tour provides the perfect opportunity for players turning professional to make their mark in the paid ranks, and many of the world’s finest players have chosen to begin their professional careers on Europe’s top developmental tour, including Martin Kaymer, Brooks Koepka, Olympic Champion Justin Rose and Open Championship winner Henrik Stenson. 

The very best of Ireland’s most promising young players will be teeing it up at Mount Wolseley as they take on the finest young players from across the globe. With few opportunities left until the end of the season, the tournament represents one of the last chances for the players to ensure they finish the season in the top 15 of the Road to Oman Rankings and thereby earn graduation to the European Tour and the chance to fulfill lifelong ambitions.

Working in partnership with the Confederation of Golf in Ireland and Sport Ireland, Tetrarch Capital, the owners of Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, committed to host the Volopa Irish Challenge at Mount Wolseley over three consecutive years from 2015 - 2017, establishing this stunning Resort as a firm favourite for this prestigious event. 

Alain de Soultrait, European Challenge Tour Director, said: “It is fantastic news that the Challenge Tour will return to Mount Wolseley for the second year in succession. Ireland has produced numerous world-class golfers and possesses many of the finest golf courses on the planet.

"Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is a fittingly stunning venue and I know how much all the players enjoyed the experience last year and are looking forward to returning. 

“A lot of hard work has gone into making this tournament happen and we extend our sincere thanks to Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort and Tetrarch Capital for backing this event, as well as the CGI and Sport Ireland for their passion and vision in giving Ireland’s up and coming golf stars a chance to make that crucial breakthrough in professional golf. We look forward to another great week in Carlow.”

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Profile - David Higgins

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David Higgins is a multiple winner of Race to Mount Juliet in recent years, and added the Irish PGA Championship to his trophy list in 2012.

Having won the Irish PGA Order of Merit on numerous occasions Higgins was fulfilling the promise gained from being part of a golfing family as his Father, Liam, is a veteran of the European Tour and Senior Tour.

Not surprisingly by the time David was twenty-one he was the country's leading amateur, and following match play victories over Pádraig Harrington in the South of Ireland and the Irish Amateur Close championships - he decided to turn professional in 1994.

In his Rookie season in 1996 Higgins earned £67,000 finishing just inside the top 100 on the Order of Merit. The following year he broke his left wrist and right elbow in a horse riding accident and failed to rediscover his form on his return to the game dropping down to the Challenge Tour in 1999.

In 2000 Higgins won three times on the Challenge Tour and was ranked 2nd at the end of the season earning his playing rights back on the European Tour for the following season. 

Having been unable to make the breakthrough over a few years Higgins returned to the Challenge Tour in 2005 finishing 12th - earning playing rights for the European Tour once again. 

However Higgins lost his card at the end of 2007. 

In 2009 he qualified for The Open Championship in Turnberry and in winning the Irish PGA Order of Merit earned a place at the 3 Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth - failing to make the cut at all three events. 

But in recent seasons David has remained a consistent force on the Irish PGA Region, winning five times - including the Quinn Insurance Pro Am and a second place at the Southern Championship in Powerscourt behind Eamonn Darcy in 2010. 

Although he failed to qualify for the 150th Open Championship at St Andrew's, along with a bigger disappointment in the September when he failed to make it through European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 at Dundonald Links that same year.

In 2011 at Stage 3 of European Tour Qualifying School at the PGA Catalunya the Waterville professional man missed out once again on a quick return to the main Tour

But in 2012 he came back stronger and improved on his two previous outings at the BMW PGA Championship, ending a magnificent performance at a sun kissed Wentworth Course, with a two under par final round 70, and slaying a tough West Course that over four days had taken a number of high profile Irish casualties.

None less than the World Number One, Rory McIlroy, the 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke, the 2010 US Open Champion, Graeme McDowell and three time major winner Padraig Harrington.

Amidst all that carnage though Higgins exuded composure travelling around Wentworth with a remarkable consistency and carding three rounds of 70, with only the one blip on a windy Saturday when reaching the historic Gothic clubhouse in a two over par 74

In was his third consecutive appearance at the BMW PGA Championship with Higgins slaying his own demons on the Sunday to finish in tenth place.

Higgins then crowned the year by capturing the Irish PGA championship at Mount Juliet and underlined his ranking as the number one player after he beat assistant professional Noel Murray from Massereene in a play-off.

The Waterville man, who fired a best of the day final round of five-under-par 67 to reach the play-off, said it was the fulfilment of a boyhood dream to lift the trophy that his father Liam lifted in 1983.

"I remember looking at the trophy as a young lad and saying it would be lovely to win it.I tried for a long time to win it and did it today and I'm just delighted."

In July David Higgins narrowly missed out on qualifying for the British Open after his five-under was one shot short of the qualifying mark at St Annes Old, with former Ryder Cup pair Barry Lane and Paul Broadhurst, both squeezing in.

However on the PGA Catalunya's Stadium Course, Higgins signed for a final round 70 to earn one of the most cherished of prizes - one of the 25 automatic places - and made a return to the European Tout five years after losing his card.

In 2013 a second place finish at the Open D'Italia Lindt gave him Higgins late hope of an automatic place for next year, in what was a very disappointing season with too many missed cuts. Including the Irish open at Carton House and the BMW PGA  Championship at Wentworth.

At 115th he could miss out unless Higgins can cards a big week in Perth. 


Personal Fact File

DOB: December 1st 1972 in County Cork.

Attachment: Waterville GC

Career: 

1989Irish Boys Championship

1994 Irish Amateur Closed Championship, South of Ireland Championship

European Challenge Tour

2000 NCC Open;

Günther Hamburg Classic

Rolex Trophy

European Tour
2007 loses Tour card
2012 Qualifies for 2013 season after finishing T16th 

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Profile - Stephen Grant

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Stephen Grant continues to progress in his career, having switched the football field for the fairways, after a lower back problem first prompted him to hang up his football boots at Shamrock Rovers.

A final round of 67 in St Augustine, Florida last week at St. Johns Golf & Country Club ensured further action at the PGA Tour Qualifying School. His fifteenth place sufficient for a place at Stage 2 in mid November. 

A trip he will make after European Tour School Qualifying Stage 2 as he is scheduled to tee-off at Las Colinas on November 2nd along side Niall Kearney, Brenda McCarroll, Ruairdhri McGee, Damian Mooney and David Rawluk.

Before his premature retirement in 2004, Grant enjoyed a productive playing career as a striker in Ireland and England. A career was bookended with two spells at Shamrock Rovers where, after scoring on his debut against Bohemians in 1996, he returned five years later to end his playing days as the club’s leading scorer in the 2003/2004 season. 

Grant recalls those times; “I had ten good years as a footballer, and enjoyed every one of them. The thing I miss most is probably the training, because it’s a lot of fun. It’s also handy having ten other players on the team to bail you out if you’re having a bad day!

“Whereas golf is obviously an individual sport, so it’s down to you and you only. Plus there’s a bit less camaraderie and you also spend a lot longer practising, so it can be quite a lonely experience at times. But I’ve no regrets, because I’m really enjoying testing myself out here.” 

As a latecomer to the game Grant is understandably keen to make up for lost time.

“I was completely out of my depth when I turned pro only three years after touching a golf club for the first time. So I got some experience on the EPD Tour, played pretty well and was up near the top of the Order of Merit for most of the season. Then I travelled over to the States and spent a season on the Hooters Tour, which was another great learning experience for me.

“I think I probably jumped into the game too quickly, and expected too much of myself. Now that I’ve got a lot more experience to draw on, it should hopefully stand me in good stead this season and going forward. 

“After I turned pro I was probably only making about 30 per cent of cuts. But over the last two or three years I think I’ve only missed three cuts in more than 50 events. So even though I haven’t managed to win a tournament yet, I’ve improved my consistency massively. I just want to keep playing and keep improving, and hopefully within the next couple of years I’ll make it onto The European Tour.” 

During his football career Grant played for Athlone Town, Sunderland, Shamrock Rovers(two stints 154 competitive appearances), Stockport County, Burnley, Finn Harps, Waterford United, Boston Bulldogs, Galway United and Shelbourne.

After playing for Athlone and Sunderland reserves his first taste of senior football came when Pat Byrne signed him for Rovers in October 1996. He became an instant hero by scoring on his League of Ireland debut against rivals Bohemians. After 4 goals in 22 appearances he signed for Stockport for £10,000 in 1997.

Grant returned to Rovers in the summer of 2001 and wrote himself into the history books by becoming the first Irish player to score against a Polish side in a European competition when Rovers beat Odra Wodzisław in the UEFA Intertoto Cup in June 2003. In all he made 6 appearances in Europe for Rovers.

As a Republic of Ireland Under -21 he scored 1 goal in 4 appearances during the Madeira Cup trophy victory in February 2006.

These days though it is all about and this season Grant has been based in Florida and is playing on the NGA Tour, formerly the Hooters Tour, and his best finish was in March where he was T14 at the Milton Martin Honda Classic at Chattahoochee Golf Club. 

On the Challenge Tour this season he has played only a third of the events compared to last year, and missed all three cuts.

FactFile

Height: 6'1".

DoB: Apr/14/1977.

Turned Pro: 2009.

Birth Place: Ireland.

Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

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Gary Hurley Posts Lead with 65

European Tour

Rain once again stopped play at the Montecchia Open by Lyoness but not before Ireland’s Gary Hurley posted the clubhouse target of 14 under par after completing his second round at Golf della Montecchia.

After heavy rain prevented any golf from being played on Thursday, the event was already reduced to 54 holes, with a Monday finish not ruled out if necessary and the majority of afternoon starters still with holes to play before the final round can start.

Hurley built on his excellent opening round with a six under par 65 that put him on 14 under par before the storms hit, and he was delighted by the end of his round as he finished birdie-eagle to lead Jurrian van der Vaart by one shot.

“I started well,” said the 23 year old. “I birdied the first but then I kind of struggled a bit until the 18th, my ninth, where I made another birdie, but then on the back nine I found something again with my swing and just hit a lot of good shots.

“I actually had a lot of chances on the back nine and I was disappointed coming onto the eighth tee with the score I was on because I had so many chances and missed a lot of putts.

“Then I holed about a 20 footer on eight for birdie and then I hit two great shots on nine to about two feet – it was probably my shot of the tournament so far, so I’m delighted with my finish it definitely helps.

“I saw the leaderboards as I was going round, I saw where I stood. I saw there was a guy in the clubhouse on 13 under so, coming off the eighth on 12 under, I just wanted to hit two good shots and give myself a chance for eagle, which I did, and holed it.

“I’m comfortable looking at the leaderboards, it doesn’t bother me – I’d prefer to know than not know because otherwise I’d be worrying about it and wondering. It’s hard not to look as well, there’s a lot of them out there.”

Hurley, a member of last year’s victorious Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team, has caught the eye this week for his unconventional method of lining up putts.

“I use the AimPoint Express technique,” he said. “I feel the slope of the green with my feet and give it a value between one and six – anything more than that would be a complete guess.

“I feel with my feet if my weight is a bit more on one side and I recognise the value which I’ve taught myself and I just know how far outside the hole to hit it then based on the speed of it going a foot past the hole.

“I started doing it about three years ago and it’s definitely improved my putting by about 150%, it’s an unbelievable difference, so I’ll continue doing it and hopefully get better at it.”

I was nervous today, but that's a good thing - I learned a lot about myself and hopefully I can learn more tomorrow

A stellar amateur career is no guarantee of making the transition into professional ranks, but Hurley credited the presence of compatriots at the same stage of their careers for helping him feel so comfortable in paid ranks so quickly.

“I’m staying in an apartment with two Irish lads, Gavin Moynihan and Cormac Sharvin,” he said. “It definitely helps being out here on tour with them.

“There were a lot of us Irish boys who all turned pro last year and it’s nice to share the journey with them because we inspire each other and lift each other.

“I was nervous today but that’s all part of it – if you don’t want nerves, that’s the bad thing. I look at nerves as being good, it shows that you care, it’s just learning how to control them. I learned a lot today about myself and hopefully I can learn a bit more tomorrow.”

Still to complete his round when the thunder rolled in was Gary King, who had just rolled in a birdie on the 14th to move to 15 under par, and into the overall lead, when the klaxons sounded and the course was evacuated.

One shot behind van der Vaart on 12 under par is American John Hahn who shot a second successive 65 for another strong week following a top ten finish in the Turkish Airlines Challenge

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Hoey Hopes for Galgorm Challenge Succes

European Challenge Tour game’s will again descend on Galgorm Castle, in Ballymena, from July 28-31 to compete in the Northern Ireland Open, which promises to be a week-long festival of golf and fun-filled activities for all the family.

For a fourth consecutive year, one of the Challenge Tour’s most popular events will attract fans from across the country to witness the golfing stars of the future in action. 

The event continues to grow in stature and this year promises to be as exciting as ever, with a key date on the schedule and so many other family activities scheduled for the tournament week, not least the food festival at the golf village.

Thanks to the ongoing support of Ulster Bank, who have supported every professional tournament held at Galgorm Castle over the years, organisers are confident they can attract in excess of 40,000 spectators and build on the Challenge Tour’s all-time attendance record of 39,020, set in 2015 when France’s Clément Sordet was crowned the NI Open champion. 

Terry Robb, Ulster Bank Regional Manager Private Banking NI, said: “At Ulster Bank, we’re very pleased to once again be centrally involved in the NI Open, a fantastic opportunity to profile great golfing talent and provide exposure for Northern Ireland on a global scale.

“As we’re in the Year of Food & Drink 2016, the food festival is an excellent opportunity to promote some of the producers, restaurants and exporters who form such an important part of the local economy, and something we are keen to support, as will be seen at the upcoming Balmoral Show.”

The economic benefits of staging the Northern Ireland Open are significant as a potential worldwide viewing audience of 500 million will not only showcase the event, but also reinforce Northern Ireland as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell said: “The Northern Ireland Open will once again be one of the sporting highlights of 2016. As golf grows in popularity and our local golfers continue to make their mark on the world stage, I am sure this event will once again provide a showcase of sporting excellence. 

“The picturesque surroundings of Galgorm Castle are impressive and will assist in highlighting the tourism potential that golf has to offer. I have no doubt that this year’s NI Open will be a resounding success, and will continue to grow from strength to strength.”

Galgorm Castle’s Christopher Brooke gave thanks to the wide range of sponsors, many of whom have partnered the Northern Ireland Open for years. Organisers also welcomed the new sponsors and partners to the event, and over the coming weeks further details will be announced. 

“The success of the NI Open is undoubtedly the sum of its parts, a huge collaborative effort goes on behind the scenes,” said Brooke. 

Alain de Soultrait, Director of the European Challenge Tour, is also looking forward to returning to Northern Ireland.

“We are delighted to be returning to Northern Ireland and look forward to enjoying Galgorm Castle’s fantastic hospitality once again,” said de Soultrait. “The tournament is already one of the most popular events on our schedule and it continues to grow every year.

“We would like to thank everyone involved in continuing to make this such a successful event and special mention must go to Michael Hoey for his continued and valuable role as tournament ambassador.”

Hoey has been speaking to his peers, many of whom have already confirmed the tournament will be on their playing schedules. 

“The NI Open will attract an even stronger field than in previous years, especially with such a good place on the schedule,” said the five-time European Tour winner.

“Players want to compete at Galgorm because they know the atmosphere and set-up make it one of the best stop-offs of the season. The course and greens are always excellent, and it’s a really well run tournament.”

From a home perspective, the tournament offers opportunities to young up and coming professionals looking to make their mark, and some of the ‘Famous Five’ Irish Walker Cup players from 2015 are set to compete at Galgorm. 

This, combined with more experienced campaigners such as Hoey, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Simon Thornton, will give the field real strength in depth.

The NI Open remains free to enter and tickets can be secured by registering online at the new website here

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Sordet Seals NI Open

European Tour

Clément Sordet sealed a sensational maiden professional victory in just his fourth start in the paid ranks at the Northern Ireland Open in Association with Sphere Global and Ulster Bank after a dramatic finale in front of bumper crowds at Galgorm Castle.

The Frenchman fired four birdies and an eagle to card a five under par final round 67, completing a perfect start to his Challenge Tour career with a one-shot win over American John Hahn.

The 22 year old trailed by two going into round four but hit the front around the turn and never wavered with a flawless back nine to earn a 17 under total and become the second French winner on the Challenge Tour this year after his clubmate at Lyon Salvagny, Sebastien Gros.

“I honestly am living my dream,” he said. “I don’t even realise just yet that I even won, it feels amazing but I think it’s going to take time to sink in – maybe tonight or tomorrow when I wake up.

“With my caddie, we just did such a great job today and over the past three days as well. We kept the same strategy that had worked well for the first three rounds.

“I made some good putts and had three eagle putts, which shows I was playing good approaches, and holed one of them on the second which was a good start to the round.

“I played amazing golf, especially today, it felt like I didn’t make any mistakes out there, and it just feels amazing to win.

“I didn’t look at the leaderboards at all so I didn’t know where I was until I came off 17, where there’s such a big board you can’t ignore it!

“I then just thought I had to keep calm and make sure I hit it in the fairway on the last hole. I’d made a huge putt on 17, I’d rolled it a long way past but holed it for par coming back.

“At that point I was leading by two and I knew someone was going to make a birdie on the last, so I just had to make my par, so I took four iron off the tee, then five iron and wedge and two putts to make it safe.”

Sordet entered the professional ranks on the back of a glittering amateur career, winning six titles on the American collegiate circuit as a student at Texas Tech University and representing Europe in last year’s Palmer Cup.

Still, the Lyon native admitted he never expected to experience such immediate success, and was surprised with how he handled himself in front of the huge Northern Irish crowds.

“It’s only my fourth event as a professional, so to be in the winner’s circle already feels amazing,” he said. “I played really well last year at college in America and I think that helped get me ready for the Challenge Tour.

“In the US we play such hard courses that prepare you for professional golf really well – it’s not easier here, but you’re ready for this.

“I had a really good year out there last year and I won six times in college, so I have won before, but nothing compares to this.

“I’ve never seen that many people around the greens but I tried not to notice them too much. I loved it out there though, the atmosphere was unbelievable.

“If you’re not nervous out there you’re lying, but I was excited too. I was shaking a bit but I just tried to stay patient and do what I’ve been doing for so many years.”

Hahn also shot a fine 66 on a dramatic afternoon, including a birdie-birdie finish, to take second place on his own ahead of Ricardo Gouveia and Daan Huizing.

Road to Oman Rankings leader Gouveia made eight birdies in his final round, but three bogeys prevented the Portuguese taking a second victory of the season.

Dutchman Huizing, the inaugural winner of this event in 2013, also finished with a 66 to share third place, a highlight for him coming when he almost made a hole in one on the par three seventh hole.

Overnight leaders Emilio Cuartero Blanco and Niall Turner struggled with expectation, though the Spaniard’s eagle on the 18th gave him a tie for eighth place after a 72, Irishman Turner one shot further back and 12th on his own.

The Northern Irish faithful were again out in force, with 39,202 attending over the course of the week, and they will have been heartened by one of their own, Chris Selfridge, who finished in a tie for 16th after a final round of 70.

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Oman Road for McGee

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Ruaidhri McGee, the highest-ranked Irishman in the Road to Oman Rankings, is hoping that home comforts can drive him to a maiden European Challenge Tour title at this week’s Northern Ireland Open in Association with Sphere Global and Ulster Bank.

The 24 year old has recorded four top ten finishes this season, including a runner-up at the Challenge de Madrid in April and a share of third place at June’s KPMG Trophy, but is yet to register that elusive first victory on the European Challenge Tour.

McGee lives an hour from Galgorm Castle, which is this week hosting the third edition of the best-attended event on the schedule and so will have the rare pleasure of sleeping at home during tournament week.

Having suffered the disappointment of being forced to retire midway through his opening round last year due to illness, the Derryman is relishing the opportunity to return on the back of his good progress this year.

“It will be nice to sleep in my own bed and there is always great support so I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“It was really unfortunate last year. I was really looking forward to playing this event. It was shaping up to be a good week and then I got sick. I tried to play - I played six holes - but I couldn’t hit the ball at all. It wasn’t great but I didn’t have a choice at the time.

I'm looking forward to getting back to Galgorm - it's definitely the best tournament of the year for crowds

“I’m looking forward to getting back there now, being healthy and giving it a go. Galgorm is a place that I’ve played at a lot of times.

“It’s a great course, really nice, and it’s tight as well so I think it suits my game. The greens are really good too so it’s a good setup there. I’ve had a few good rounds there in the past so I have good memories.

“It’s a great tournament, the crowds make it – I think it’s definitely the best tournament of the year for that. It feels like a European Tour event and it’s great to play in front of so many people in that atmosphere.”

McGee has struggled with a dip in form in the last month or so and he admits that, having got off to a flying start – at one point reaching third place in the Road to Oman Rankings, he did find himself worrying too much about where he stood on the year-long list at the conclusion of each week.

“I think you end up checking the Rankings out after every tournament to see where you’ve moved to but I think it’s easily done,” he said. “It’s just natural, but I’m going to try and do my best now not to look at it and just look at it in November.

“I feel like I’m playing well, I’m just trying to forget about the Rankings now and get back to playing. Hopefully now I can hole a few putts and get a good strong finish to the year.”

McGee is joined by a host of home stars from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, including five-time European Tour winner and this week’s Tournament host Michael Hoey.

He is joined by fellow former European Tour winners Damien McGrane and Simon Thornton, as well as Rhys Davies and Phillip Price of Wales, Argentina’s Daniel Vancsik, Dane Jeppe Pape Huldahl and Englishmen Nick Dougherty, Kenneth Ferrie and Ross McGowan.

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