Happy New Year.....

Happy New Year!

Many thanks for all the feedback and support during the past twelve months from The Irish Golf Club Gazette, in what has been a memorable year for Irish golf, led by the achievements of Rory McIlroy no doubt in winning a second major title, the Race to Dubai and numerous player of the year honours 

But also let us not forget others like Graeme McDowell's win at the World Golf Challenge, Michael Hoey at the Trophee Hassan II and Shane Lowry at the Portugal Masters. Then there was also Peter Lawrie's fine fourth place at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May.

At Medinah Ryder Cup Vice-captains Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke played vital roles in securing a historic  win for Captain Jose-Maria Olazabal in circumstances that  saw McIlroy and McDowell outshone by the performances from some of their European team-mates. An incredible win by any standard and one that places both Irish golfers in the frame for the 2014 captaincy

It was all some recompense for Clarke who found the defence of his Open Championship title at Royal Lytham St Anne's in the summer a tough and unmemorable experience.

For three time major winner, Padraig Harrington, it was another season of transition but with a fourth place finish at the US Open Championship, along with a few record rounds during the season that show much promise ahead.

If there was to be one special moment it must be the return to the European Tour by David Higgins, who regained his rights after a few years absence earlier in December at Tour School in PGA Catalunya, also wining the Irish PGA Championship  a title once held by his Father Liam - and a tenth place finish at the BMW PGA Championship.

The success of the Irish Open at Royal Portrush was best measured by the record ticket sales last July, all of which bodes well for the tournament in 2013 at Carton House in Maynooth - where all Ireland's top golfers will be on show.

So roll on 2013!

The Editor

Wozzilroy Arrive in Brisbane

Rory McIlroy

Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki fuelled speculation she was engaged to golf's world No 1 Rory McIlroy when she appeared wearing a large ring on her left hand.

The blonde Dane, who has been an increasingly cosy item with McIlroy in recent months, was snapped wearing the jewellery on her left ring finger ahead of the Brisbane International.

Australia's Herald Sun tabloid, which carried separate pictures of Wozniacki wearing the ring at Brisbane airport, noted that the player had denied getting engaged last month.

But the newspaper pondered whether McIlroy had proposed over Christmas, which they spent together, according to pictures they posted on Twitter.

"Is this the photo that proves tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and world No.1 golfer Rory McIlroy are engaged?" the Herald Sun asked.

In November, McIlroy skipped the $7 million WGC-HSBC Champions to watch Wozniacki play tennis in Bulgaria, and she then followed him to tournaments in Singapore and Hong Kong.

However, Danish women often wear wedding rings on their right hand, and Wozniacki is also known for her penchant for practical jokes.

Earlier this month, she donned padding to mimic Serena Williams at an exhibition event, and at the 2011 Australian Open she made up a story about being attacked by a kangaroo.

The Abu Dhabi Decision

It was widely seen as a straight choice between Clarke and Paul McGinley when the tournament committee meets in Abu Dhabi next month, but last year’s Open champion, Darren Clarke, is not so sure – and that may bring 2010 captain Colin Montgomerie back into the equation.

Clarke, in London to receive the PGA Recognition Award for his services to golf, said: “I think it could well affect who is appointed.

“A lot of people, myself included, were surprised when Tom Watson was appointed.

“It’s a big statement and brilliant for the event – there are few more iconic figures in golf, he’s adored in Scotland (the 2014 match is at Gleneagles) and it sends out a statement that they are very serious about winning the trophy back.

“Maybe we have to have a look and consider other people as well. Whoever it is standing on that stage opposite Tom Watson needs a huge presence.

“We seriously need the right man for the job.

“We do have an (unwritten) rule where we don’t ask anybody to do it again, but we might have to look at that.”

Those words might well reduce the odds on Montgomerie being asked to do the job again in his home country.

Initially earmarked for Gleneagles, the eight-time European number one agreed to take on the position two years ago at Celtic Manor and led Europe to a nail-biting one-point victory.

Clarke does add that if he is asked to take charge it would be an honour to do so, but the Northern Irishman also thinks he could have one more playing appearance in him.

The last of his five caps came at The K Club in 2006 – amazingly he won all his three games just six weeks after his first wife Heather lost her battle with breast cancer.

“If they asked me to do it it would be a difficult decision to take. I’m still only 44 and it’s not that long ago that I won The Open,” he said.

It was in July last year, of course, that Clarke, 111th in the world at the time, triumphed at Sandwich.

He has since dropped back to 145th in the rankings, but a top-10 finish in the Australian PGA Championship has raised his optimism for 2013 and beyond.

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Harrington Confirms Volvo Entry

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Pádraig Harrington confirmed his entry on Thursday as entries closed for the 2013 Volvo Golf Champions. The European Tour’s elite year-opening ‘tournament of champions’ for European Tour winners only will have a field of 35 players who have won 234 European Tour titles between them including 14 Major titles.

Harrington qualifies along with along with Darren Clarke, Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal and Thomas Björn as a current Tour Member with more than ten European Tour victories. They will compete against 28 European Tour champions from 2012 in the year-opening Volvo Golf Champions at the Durban Country Club from the 10th to the 13th January 2013 where players will compete for a prize fund of €2million.

Five South Africans have qualified for the Volvo Golf Champions this year with 27-time winner on the European Tour, Ernie Els, heading the strong home challenge along with defending Champion, Branden Grace, the afore-mentioned, Retief Goosen, 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen and first time winner on the European Tour, Jbe Kruger. They will face a tough challenge from a field that is represented by a total of 16 nationalities including Matteo Manassero, Miguel Ángel Jiménez,Jeev Milkha Singh, Nicolas Colsaerts, Paul Casey, Peter Hanson, Paul Lawrie, Francesco Molinari and Henrik Stenson.

Harrington, who won the 2012 PGA Grand Slam of Golf, explained: “I was playing really well towards the end of 2012 and now that I am part-way through my winter training programme, I am looking forward to getting out on Tour and competing. I think this is an ideal tournament to start my year off where there is a limited elite field to test myself against, no cut and beautiful weather. It is a great event and I am very much looking forward to returning to South Africa in January.”

As Christmas approaches, two-time US Open winner Retief Goosen also shared some positive news as he continues his recovery from the back operation he had in August. He explained: “Everything has been going really well with my rehabilitation and I am back out on the course enjoying playing golf with my family and friends. I am confident I will be ready to compete come the Volvo Champions and I’m very excited to play my first tournament back at the Durban Country Club in front of my home fans.”

The renowned Durban Country Club was recently voted one of the Top 100 golf courses in the world by Golf Magazine USA and boasts an impressive résumé having hosted the South African Open on no fewer than 17 occasions.

The Volvo World Golf Challenge is Volvo’s global tournament for customers. This year, more than 30 countries are taking part, with 68 players making it all the way to the World Final. The most successful performers amongst the World Finalists get the chance to team up with the stars of the European Tour during the Volvo Golf Champions, live on television, in front of a worldwide audience of millions.

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PGA Reward Clarke Achievement

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Five-time Ryder Cup player and 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke added another accolade to his long list of achievements after receiving the PGA Recognition Award at The Professional Golfers’ Association annual fundraising lunch.

Clarke, who collected the award the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, is the first Northern Irishman to receive the honour and joins an elite list of former recipients including Sir Nick Faldo, Tony Jacklin, Seve Ballesteros and 2012 Ryder Cup winning captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

The 43-year-old, who is one of the most popular players on and off the circuit, has had a distinguished career since turning professional in 1990.

The pinnacle came in July 2011 when he won the Open Championship at Royal St Georges – for his first major victory. That secured him his 14th European Tour title - and 22nd worldwide - stretching back to his maiden success in 1993 when he won the Alfred Dunhill Open. 

Other notable achievements include winning the English Open three times, claiming the European Open in 2001 and becoming the second player after Tiger Woods to win two World Golf Championships.

Clarke has also illuminated the Ryder Cup since making the first of his five appearances in 1997. He has been on the winning team on four occasions, with the Northern Irishman producing an emotionally-driven display at the K Club, shortly after the loss of his wife Heather. Clarke was also a vice captain in 2010 and 2012.

Off the course, Clarke, who has two sons – Tyrone and Connor, has established the Darren Clarke Foundation and at the luncheon received a cheque for £25,000 from The PGA to help its work which supports junior golf in Ireland and raises funds for Breast Cancer Awareness. He is also involved with the Darren Clarke Golf School.

He was awarded an OBE in the 2012 New Year’s Honours lists for services to golf, which he collected from Buckingham Palace last month.

"This is a great honour to receive the PGA Recognition Award" said Clarke.

"It is always nice to recognised for the achievements in your career and this is certainly a very special award."

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “The PGA is delighted to be able to present Darren Clarke with the PGA Recognition Award for2012.

“Darren is one of the world’s leading players and one that most club golfers can relate to and I suppose you could describe him as a local hero.

“I can’t think of anyone who didn’t support Darren on the day he finally secured his Open Championship at Royal St George’s.

“Darren portrays everything that is great about our game. He is still a great traditionalist and has never forgotten his roots and all those early lessons playing his golf in Northern Ireland.

“I know that he will savour the PGA award and the recognition of his fellow professionals.”

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