The momentum of a next generation of Irish golfers to follow Shane Lowry, Michael Hoey, Damien McGrane and Graeme McDowell, is very much needed in order to maintain a strong Irish presence in the game. Or protect market share to build on the pioneering work of the latest generation - two time major winner Padraig Harrington, Open Champion Darren Clarke.
Leaving the case of Wunderkind Rory McIlroy as a separate story given the Holywood golfer is a once in a lifetime phenomenon.
In reality the game on these shores was built by the legends of the domestic game - men and women - who ploughed the furrow decades ago. In the days when prize money was minimal; travel not done by private jet; the sponsorship meagre and the hard work seeming even harder no doubt.
That roll call includes Fred Daly, Christy O'Connor, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, Philip Walton, David Feherty, Ronan Rafferty and Christy O'Connor Jnr. A highlight of just some of the names who did more than their bit for Irish golf - including winning Ryder Cup's. Doing so on foreign shores and far flung places.
In those days it was just as hard to get a European Tour card. Maybe even harder they might say. Though the truth now is that there is increased competition from Sweden, Spain, France and Germany which was somewhat less then.
These days Stephen Grant, Niall Turner, Michael McGeady, Gareth Shaw, Michael McGeady, Niall Kenney annually pitch their skills amongst a host of international hotshots. Also chasing their dream of a place on the Tour from larger golf playing population’s. The statistic of the players on tour reflect that reality and so this year it is vital that the Irish representation improves.
Last year only Kevin Phelan made it.
To be fair the Waterford man is a product of the US scholarship system and has been a talent waiting to happen for some years. Current indicators confirm he is on his way and the hurdle of a return to Q School this weekend hopefully just a formality.
As far back as 2009 only Simon Thornton and Gary Murphy got through. With both losing their cards within the season and having to return again. Unsuccessfully.
David Higgins has regained and lost his card frequently in recent years. The last time being 2011 and now surviving since on accumulated exemptions. No doubt 2015 offering fewer events having failed at Second Stage this year. Perhaps closing the chapter on a professional golf with career earnings of over one million Euro.
A decade ago Damien McGrane broke through and has retained his place ever since 2003. Gareth Maybin made it from the Challenge Tour in 2008 with Michael Hoey also getting through the final stage in 2008. Then Shane Lowry skipped school, never looking out of place in the big time after earning an exemption following the 3 Irish Open win in 2009 at Baltray, Doing so as an amateur.
Undoubtedly at Qualifying School the uninitiated face a level of intensity alien to their daily life on either the Irish PGA Region, PGA EuroProTour or in gold club pro ams. The step up needed is not easy given it is impossible to replicate that dog eat dog atmosphere at PGA Catalunya. As hopefuls of all ages and creeds fight for their livelihoods.
For neophyte tour card chasers it requires a discipline that perhaps can only be gained by long seasons on the Challenge Tour.
More recent years have highlighted that even maintaining exemptions for Irish players on the satellite tour is no easy feat. But forms a vital apprenticeship as Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer and others can attest. Or the 2010 Challenge Tour winner Edoardo Molinari proved. The Italian having become a household name after his first season on the main tour that saw him also play a pivotal role in the 2010 Ryder Cup.
In fairness, there are others that have also been successful with names such as Jose Felipe Lima, Nicolas Colsaerts, Rhys Davies and Peter Whiteford coming to mind. None more successful than Davies who within his first year reached 15th in the Race to Dubai, and spent five days with Ryder Cup Captain, Colin Montgomerie, around Celtic Manor in 2010.
However as golf is not a fairy-tale and such are the twists in the sport that Davies returns to reclaim his playing rights this weekend after a number of barren seasons. Those days of a promising protégé now a distant memory.
In Ireland Colm Moriarty, Jonathan Caldwell and Gareth Shaw know it is not that easy either and the so called failure at Q School is a reality that can dent even the strongest ambitions. Walker Cup pedigree or not. Taking the best of playing talent along with it. Golf is completely equitable in sharing bad news about the European Tour cards.
Other Irish players of the same era, Stephen Browne and Alan Murray, making the decision to pursue other careers and bring more certainty to their lives. Happy to abandon the annual ritual of tour school. Undoubtedly the toughest mental challenge there is in the sport of golf.
However there is a developing group that one hopes one day soon will get fulfil their calling. They should include Ruaidrhi McGee, Niall Turner and Niall Kearney.
But it requires patience, diligence and above all money. The latter being the scarcest commodity these days and the one that could end dreams instantly. In summary the cavalier days of registering for Q School should be over as the beyond the First Stage it is a serious business. Anyone not fully prepared should just save their entry fee.
The career of Philip Walton epitomises what that odyssey can become. The Dubliner having made the pilgrimage first in 1999 - only to follow it in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004* - when he regained his card for one year. Then a return 2005 and then finally in 2006.
Today he plays the European Senior Tour where he automatically qualifies having been a three time winner in Europe. His eye distracted on a few occasions by qualification for the much more lucrative Champions Tour. Which as yet has proved unfruitful.
This week all five Irish challengers are not novices, with the youngest Kevin Phelan a veteran of one gruelling European Tour season. With two top five finishes.
Gareth Maybin, Peter Lawrie, Simon Thornton carrying enough combined experience that the nerves won't be a worry. Rather the quality of the shot making to battle the contrasting demands of the Stadium and Tour courses at PGA Catalunya.
For Michael McGeady the heady ambitions of someday making it on the tour, for at least one season, maybe closer than we imagine. he is not encumbered by memories of the past in Catalunya.
So there is no reason to fear that any of five this weekend is not fully prepared. The reality is that all five making the final twenty five spots is a mathematical impossibility. But then again we said that about an Irish player ever winning a major after Fred Daly.
Then look what happened.
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