The momentum of Irish golfers Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Gareth Maybin, Damien McGrane, and in particular Graeme McDowell, this past year has certainly taken the profile of Irish golf further on the world stage and comes hot on the heels of the pioneering victories of Padraig Harrington and his three Majors - with a supporting cast of Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke playing their part over the years.
Not forgetting of course the legends of our game who ploughed the furrow decades earlier when money was minimal, travel not done by private jet and the hard work even harder. Those included in such a roll of honour are Christy O'Connor Snr, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, Philip Walton, David Ferherty, Ronan Rafferty, Christy O'Connor Jnr - to name only some of them. All of whom did more than their bit for Irish golf - including winning Ryder Cup's.
In those days they might argue it was just as hard to get a Tour Card – maybe even harder – although the truth perhaps is that the competition was somewhat less then it is today.
In looking at the top 70 through in the final round of European Tour School Final Qualifying this year at the PGA Catalunya the nationality mix shows the following: Spain 9; England 16; Finland 2; Wales 2; Denmark 2; France 7; Scotland 4; USA 1, Australia 3; Sweden 7; South Africa 3; Netherlands 1; Argentina 1, Austria 2, Germany 3; Norway 2; Paraguay 1; Ireland 1.
The interesting statistics are always the Scandinavian countries - because of the comparable population sizes to Ireland – and clearly Danish, Finnish and Norwegian golf is delivering players at the highest levels, with Sweden now doing it consistently for two decades.
In Ireland there are over four hundred registered golf clubs and in excess of two hundred and fifty thousand registered players reflecting close to six percent of the population active in golf. In Spain with a population of 47 million the active golfers are less than one percent with over 345 clubs and three hundred and fifty thousand registered players.
In Sweden there are 576,000 registered golfers with a total of 482 golf courses and a population of nearly nine and half million. The more interesting statistic though that is Junior golf in the UK & Ireland account for approximately 9% of the total number of members based on 2007 figures. Some countries appear to have more success in attracting juniors to the game, for example Sweden where just under 15% of the registered golfing population are juniors.
Having fielded twelve players at Stage 2 Irish prospects looked good at the outset of the past two weeks but with one round remaining, and Niall Kearney faltering, reality is that there will be no Irish players graduating in the 2011 season. Which will be the first time that has happened in a few years. Indeed the casualty rate this year has been particularly disappointing given the calibre of players the field included; 2 former Walker Cup players, previous Tour card holders and the 2010 Irish PGA winner. When the list is matched with the Team Ireland Grants for the year it is also reflects a discouraging scenario given the financial support the players have received.
Many of them now face uncertain playing schedules for the next 12 months – other than the Challenge Tour. Which for some, such as Simon Thornton, will feel like a backward step having played it intermittently in the years before he made big leap to the 2010 European Tour schedule. The reality though is, that the route to a tour card remains the same - as it did for Philip Walton and Christy O'Connor and the Bradford born Thornton exemplifies the progress that can be made from the Irish PGA Region.
Although having won the Irish PGA order of merit three times he had to wait until 2009 to make the breakthrough at Q School.
It has proved possible for Damien McGrane, who broke through in 2003, and by Gareth Maybin who made it from the Challenge Tour in 2008 - having finished in fourth place - albeit 44th the previous year. Michael Hoey also got through final stage hurdles in 2008. Indeed, Shane Lowry has not looked out of place in the big time after earning his exemption after winning the 3 Irish Open in 2009 at Baltray - a year after finishing 33rd at Stage 2 in Sherry Golf.
Undoubtedly Qualifying School brings players to a level of intensity that is alien to the daily life on the Irish Region week in week out – or even the main Tour events – as it requires a solid performances for eight rounds over Stage 1 and then Stage 2. But more importantly, for the final six rounds every December the competitors need everything to come together - come hell or high water - in order to secure one of those highly sought after 30 places. Which means that the intensity is unparalleled.
The truth however is that golf is not a fairy-tale for everyone and such are the twists in the sport that the likes of Michael McGeady, Colm Moriarty, Jonathan Caldwell and Gareth Shaw will undoubtedly have clearer memories of the downsides too. All four faced Q School again this year - in their ambition to play the European Tour - and all four failed once more.
Given that some players in the past made the decision to pursue other careers away from golf in order to bring more certainty to their lives - given the odyssey Tour school can become – it may be that this year others decide to do the same thing.
For Niall Kearney though it is only the second time in the final stage and should he be unable to produce the miracle needed tomorrow then he has time still very much on his side to try again in 2011.
Others know the clock is ticking and the option may not be so obvious.
