Donaghadee Golf Club Youth Tournament
Donaghadee Golf Club
Press Release
Date : Thursday 28th June 2012
Following in the Footsteps of Golfing Giants
Young golfers across Ulster are being invited to follow in the footsteps of such golfing giants as Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Michael Hoey, Gareth Maybin and Graeme McDowell, by playing in the annual Donaghadee Youth Tournament. Now in its 40th year, the tournament has seen many of Ulster’s talented golfers take their first steps into representative golf. Four-time winner on the European Tour, Michael Hoey has vivid memories of his experiences in the competition “The Coca-Cola Youth Tournament was very competitive and I always enjoyed the course at Donaghadee. I remember playing in the tournament when I was 16 or 17 for Shandon Park, it was a well organised event†The competition will take place at Donaghadee from 13th – 17th August.
The tournament itself consists of teams of 5 playing in a qualifying competition on Wednesday 15th August with the top 16 qualifying teams moving on to the knock-out stages on Thursday and Friday.
Reflecting on the Club’s involvement in the tournament, Jim McCurley, Captain of the Donaghadee Golf Club said, “As a Club we are very proud of this tournament and the fact that it remains so popular with clubs from all around Ulster. We are equally proud of the fact that so many famous golfers have played in the competition and gone on to much greater things. Obviously not all the competitors will find their way on to the world stage but, nevertheless, aside from having a good time, they will gain from their involvement and the fact that they are representing their Club in a major golf tournament. We are very grateful to this year’s sponsors Dale Farm and Gordons Chemists for their supportâ€
This year also sees the re-introduction of the Girls Competiton which will be held on Monday 13th August. This competition will be an individual 18 hole Stableford with a handicap limit of 36 and is aimed at all junior girl golfers aged 20 years or under on 1st January 2012.
Alison Strain, Lady Captain of the Club, is delighted that the competition for girls is being re-introduced “We need to do all we can to encourage more girls to take up golf by providing opportunities for girls from different clubs to meet together and participate in competitions such as this.â€
Terry McIlroy of Whitehead Golf Club is a strong supporter of the competition and has been bringing teams to compete for over 20 years.
He said "Those boys who are now men still talk about the Donaghadee tournament with great affection. We look forward to it every year and even arrange holidays to make sure we are available. It is an integral part of our Club's golfing calendar"
Brochures advertising the event have been issued today to all golf clubs in Ulster and entries need to be submitted by 27th July 2012.
