ARCHIVES - Being A Pro Is So Easy?

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This time last year Simon Kahn was settling for 127th place in the Race to Dubai with earnings of €227,987 and looking to return to the Final Stage of Qualifying School once again at PGA Catalunya in the hope of regaining his card at thirty seven years of age. This would be his tenth visit to Q School having done so in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. On the last three occasions he failed to retain his card as well - which was even more frustrating. 

But as history records not only did Simon Khan win the Final Stage last December he also went on to secure the BMW PGA Championship title at Wentworth in May – earning a five year exemption for the European Tour - and now sits in 23rd place in the Race to Dubai with prize money of €931,143 to his credit. What a turnaround in golfing fortunes in twelve months. 

A year ago Edoardo Molinari was leading The Challenge Tour rankings and looking forward to join his older brother Francesco, who had reached the European Tour, ranks after a fourth place finish at the Final Qualifying in 2004 at San Roque in Spain. In twelve months Edoardo's career has encompassed all that could be imagined in the golf – winning at European Tour event in his first season at Gleneagles, then winning the World Cup in Mission Hills in China with Francesco, followed by not only playing in a the European Ryder Cup team - but also becoming a winner at The Celtic Manor in October.

Spain’s Alejandro Cañizares ended last season in 127th pace with €216,910 which was not enough to get close to top 115 places and so he too faced a return to Q School – from where he qualified in 5th place - along with Sam Hutsby, Stephen Gallacher, Marco Ruiz, Fredrik Ohlsson, Eric Tage Johansen, Mark Haastrup, Steve O’Hara and Clodomiro Carranza as the other players in the top ten.

Today Cañizares is 30th in the Race to Dubai with €744,560 in prize money.

Of all those players only Ohlsson of Sweden, Johansen of Denmark and Carranza of Argentina will return to Q School with others now exempt for the 2011 season having finished amongst the top 115 players.

What can be said of 17 year old Italian, Matteo Manassero, who this time last year could not have imagined he would break records at every turn.

Having recently became the youngest winner on the European Tour Member - after only making his professional debut at the BMW Italian Open earlier this year – he was also the youngest – and first Italian – winner of the Amateur Championship in June 2009, adding the honour of being the youngest winner of the Silver Medal awarded to the leading amateur in The Open Championship at Turnberry.

In April 2010 he then became the youngest player to make the cut at the Masters Tournament, finishing in a tie for 36th place in what was the best performance by a European amateur for 73 years.

All in all a year that players dream about when they are wiring to break into the professional ranks. But if of only it were always that easy all the time?

Kilkenny man, Gary Murphy, this time last year was amongst the mix of Khan, Hutsby and Cañizares in 124th place on €234,844 and also had to make the journey to Q School – ten years after his success of 1999 – from where he duly qualified 17th out of the thirty places on offer. This season however his fortunes have gone a different way with earnings of €19,152 after 26 events - a poor return for his efforts – and so he faces the return trip to the PGA Catalunya in December to regain his card.

For Murphy the problem this season has been too many missed cuts making the final rounds only six times as a lack of consistency saw him struggle for most of the year. It 2003 that he secured his best finish of 59th - which included a fourth place at the Barclay's Scottish Open - and missing no cuts that year

For Simon Thornton the story was not so much of missed cuts - although there were eleven in all out of 22 events played - it seemed more a failure to close out results on the final day of some key tournaments. The BMW Championship in Munich being an example given that he played in the final group on the Sunday with Bradley Dredge and Ross Fisher after carding three successive rounds of 67 – only to sign for a final round of 73 for ninth place.

Currently 135th in the Race to Dubai the Newcastle County Down based Thornton has finished the year a minimum of thirty thousand euro short of the cut off and perhaps knows that in a few events that difference could have been made up. In fairness though having qualified 29th at Final Qualifying Thornton’s performances in the early part of the season were impressive.

Following the first re-rank of the season in May he moved up 10 places in Category 11 to 18th place. At the time the former Royal County down Assistant Professional had been hoping to do even better and had the re-rank in his sights when he committed to the Madeira Islands Open BPI - Portugal, the weekend his first child, Katie, was due.

In August he benefited again moving up to 12th place - all of which was vital for tournament qualification when it comes to the reserve list.

On the other hand Gary Murphy went the other way dropping back to 36th place from his original spot of 17th - making it very difficult to qualify for the bigger events - and so he chose some Challenge Tour events to keep his game in shape.

With the season now drawing to a close and both players are not eligible for the Valderrama Andalucia Masters or the WGC – HSBC Champions in Shanghai so a visit to the Final Stage of Qualifying School now looks the most likely route back to European Tour golf next season.

With Stage 2 yet to be completed it remains to be seen how many Irish players can get through this year to the Final Stage with nine candidates – Michael Collins, Stephen Grant, Michael McGeady, Damien Mooney, David Mortimer, Mervyn Owens, Gareth Shaw, Barrie Trainor, Niall Turner – in action in Spain at the end of November.

Last year four Irish players – Niall Kearney, John Kelly, Colm Moriarty and Jonathan Caldwell - qualified from Stage 2 with Simon Thornton to PGA Catalunya where they were joined by Gary Murphy, who by the virtue of being a Tour player, was exempt to the final stage. This year Thornton will at least benefit from that privilege.

A year ago eleven players qualified for Stage 2 from which only five emerged to the Final stage. In the end only one – Simon Thornton – made it through.

This season there is chance to improve on that statistic with Thornton and Murphy very capable of regaining their status.

For the other nine Irish players the first huddle is Stage 2 in Spain on November 26th to 29th.


All rights reserved - October 2010

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Irish Quiet at European School

Jonathan Caldwell finished with a round of 71 at Arcos Gardens signing for a one under par for a share of 20th place at Arcos Gardens. 

Michael McGeady was four over par after carding a round of 76. 

Frenchman Romain Wattel signed for a six under par 66 to take a one shot lead over compatriot Christophe Brazillier as The European Tour's Second Qualifying Stage got underway. 

Australian Wade Ormsby and Ben Parker were in a share of third place after posting 68’s, where nearly 300 golfers are battling it out over four venues to earn a European Tour card for the 2011 season. 

Costa Ballena Golf 

Argentina’s Julian Etulain and Englishman James Ruth shared top spot after both carding six under par 66 and the pair lead by one from five players including Germany's Bernd Ritthammer. 

Damian Mooney was the best of the Irish contingent with a round of 70 and signing for a 2 under round on the opening day. 

Niall Kearney, former Walker Cup player, was also in touch after a level par round for the day. 

Gareth Shaw finished with a 2 over par 74. 

David Mortimer of FORE Ireland, winner of the Irish PGA Championship in September, signed for a three over par round of 75. 

Michael Collins, his FORE Ireland team mate, was one shot adrift on 76 finishing on 4 over par. 

Hacienda del Alamo 

Luis Claverie of Spain and Englishman Paul Dwyer were top of the pile carding six under par 66 to lead three players – Englishman Peter Baker, Germany’s Nicolas Meintinger and Mexican Oscar Fraustro – by one shot. 

Niall Turner was five shots adrift after an opening day which saw him finish with a 76 - on 4 over par. 

El Valle Golf Resort 

American Matthew Rosenfeld leads by one after a five under par 66, with Welshman Llewellyn Matthews sharing second spot with Germany’s Florian Fritsch and Switzerland’s Rafaël De Sousa at four under. 

Stephen Grant was the best of the Irish on this course with a round of 71. 

Mervyns Owens was three over par after carding a 74 on day one. 

Gary Murphy's long season with golf continues as he finished with a 75 and is in 51st along with Barrie Trainor on four over par. 

Second Stage consists of four rounds, with a place in the Final Stage at PGA Golf Catalunya next month at stake.

Q School - It Can Be Done!

The Irish PGA finale at Mount Juliet last weekend brought the 2010 season to a close and thanks to Lexus, PING, Failte Ireland, Mount Juliet and indeed the PGA, the event proved a fine way to finish the golfing part of things this season – with a worthy winner in David Higgins. 

On the day the Waterville man secured not only the win but also the Order of Merit and perhaps also a pathway back to the big time once again wing a spot at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next and the 3 Irish Open next summer – which appears will remain in his native Kerry with a return to Killarney forecast in 2011. 

Clearly firing a 7 under par 65 at the Kilkenny venue is a promise of better things to come for Higgins as Mount Juliet was no give away on the day with few of the twenty seven Irish PGA players breaking par at the final event. With Higgins having dominated the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet all season it was a fitting reward for his consistency and hard work all season on the region. More importantly, after two successive wins it shows that his game and ability need to be tested on a higher plain. 

But having missed out on a place at Stage 2 in qualifying in Dundonald last month September, Higgins faces a frustrating wait for another season before he can remedy that setback. 

With a few other players fast on the Kerryman’s trail it is perhaps consolation for Damian Mooney, David Mortimer and Barrie Trainor that they have more business ahead in late November in Southern Spain as they search for a place at Final Qualifying in December at the PGA Catalunya. This year one hopes that they can capitalise on the great quality of the domestic season with a reward on the European Tour for next year - maintaining the high profile Irish golf has obtained worldwide this season. 

Indeed the momentum of the newer generation of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell has certainly take the game further on the foot of the pioneering work done by Padraig Harrington with his three Majors and a supporting cast of Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke 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. 

Nevertheless 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 did more than their bit for Irish golf - including winning Ryder Cup's. 

In those days they would argue it was just as hard to get a Tour Card – maybe even harder – although the truth perhaps is that the competition from Sweden, Spain, France and Germany was somewhat less then. 

These days Stephen Grant, Mervyn Owens, Michael Collins, David Mortimer, Barrie Trainor, Niall Turner, Michael McGeady, Gareth Shaw, David Mortimer and Damian Mooney will be pitching their skills against a host of international hotshots all chasing their places on the European Tour. This year though it is vital that the Irish representation improves as in 2009 only Simon Thornton and Gary Murphy were the ones to get through. 

As it stands today they are both destined to return to Stage 3 of Qualifying School as Thornton is currently 142nd in the Race to Dubai with Murphy in 245th – well below the cut-off point of 115th place - to be sure of automatic rights for next season. If this happens then it puts a premium on those final 30 places on offer in Catalunya on December 9th. 

In the case of Simon Thornton he exemplifies the progress that can be made from the Irish Region even though having won the order of merit three times he had to wait until 2009 to make the breakthrough. For the Bradford born it also proved an important year on a personal level with the sad passing of his Father in January – the very start of his Rookie season – which contrasted with the birth of his first child Katie in April and making the adjustments to the demands of the life on the Tour throughout the year. 

But it has also been proved possible by Damien McGrane, who broke through in 2003, by Gareth Maybin who made it from the Challenge our in 2008 - having finished in fourth place - albeit 44th the previous year; Michael Hoey getting through final stage in 2008 with Shane Lowry not looking out of place in the big time after earning an exemption on winning the 3 Irish Open in 2009 at Baltray – despite finishing 33rd at Stage 2 in Sherry Golf in 2008. 

Undoubtedly though Qualifying School brings players to a level of intensity that is alien to the daily life on the Irish Region week in week out. So the step up to that level is not easy and requires a discipline and focus that perhaps can only be matched by seasons on the Challenge Tour. And for David Higgins that maybe the fastest way back - given there is no Stage 2 this year for him – especially if he could secure enough events in 2011 to finish in the top 20. 

The Challenge Tour winner last year was Edoardo Molinari who has become a household name this year in a season that also saw him play a pivotal role in the Ryder Cup – with the Italian having a 2010 that many players would dream about. 

In fairness amongst those who joined him from last year’s Challenge Tour 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 is currently 15th in the Race to Dubai, also spending five days driving 2010 Ryder Cup Captain, Colin Montgomerie, around Celtic Manor. In June he also came close to beating Graeme McDowell to win his home event at the Wales Open. 

However golf is not a fairy-tale for everyone and such are the twists in the sport that the likes of Michael McGeady, Colm Moriarty and Gareth Shaw will tell you that it is not that easy at all - as all three face Q School again later this year in order to fulfil their ambitions of playing on the European Tour. Other irish players, such as Stephen Browne and Alan Murray have made the decision to pursue other careers off the course to bring more certainty to their lives given the odyssey Tour school can become. 

Perhaps amongst the toughest mental and physical challenges there is in the sport of golf. 

The career of Philip Walton epitomises what that odyssey can become having made the Q school pilgrimage first in 1999 only to follow it in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004* - when he regained his card only to lose it again - then in 2005 and finally in 2006. Today he plays the Irish region making plans for the Senior Tour - where he automatically qualifies in Europe - with an eye on qualifying for the more lucrative Champions Tour as well. 

Reviewing the success of David Higgins this season it is clear that the quality of the Waterville golfer's game in winning the Irish order of merit at Mount Juliet last weekend suggests he could do well at Q School this season. But it is not to be this year. 

The calibre of David Mortimer's win at the Glenmuir PGA Championship at The Oxfordshire in September and the Irish PGA Championship at Seapoint also bodes well for Tour School it seems. As it would for those who emerged from the four day battle with the elements at Dundonald Links that saw Barrie Trainor, Gareth Shaw, Michael Collins and Damian Mooney through and must prepare them for anything that can come their way in Spain at Stage 2. 

With just over a month to go before the Irish nine play in Stage 2 in Spain the future could be good for Irish golf - with a bit of luck. 

It would be great to see a few more Irish PGA Region players earn their keep on the European Tour next year and based on this season’s Lexus Race to Mount Juliet we know that the potential exists. It is now a matter of delivering the performances on the day at the dreaded Q School.

47 Seek Full Playing Rights

Still No Play at Dundonald

Strong winds continue to disrupt the First Qualifying Stage – Section C event at Dundonald Links in Scotland and The European Tour have suspended play until further notice. 

An update had been scheduled for 10:00hrs but with no improvement in the high winds – gusting at times up to fifty kilometres an hour – and it will now be midday before further news is expected. 

In Germany play is scheduled to recommence at 12:45hrs at the Fleesensee Golf Club.

There are twenty five Irish players involved in both events.

Both QS Suspended Until Wednesday

Weather disruptions took their toll on the the Qualifying Stage – Section C events on Tuesday with delays at both Dundonald in Scotland and Fleesensee in Germany.

Dundonald Golf Links was blown off course early in the day with only one group finishing before play was abandoned for the day.

Play was suspended at 12.00 and with no let up in the high winds and driving rain sweeping across that part of Scotland so the decision was taken at 17.30 to abandon play for the day.

Round 1 will re-commence at 0730hrs Wednesday morning. Only one group finished and none of the afternoon games had teed off. 

It was a similar at Fleesensee Golf Club at the First Qualifying Stage – Section C where heavy rain disrupted proceedings.

Play was suspended at 9.50am and resumed at 3.15pm with the afternoon starters not getting underway until 5.15pm.

Both QS Suspended Until Wednesday

Weather disruptions took their toll on the the Qualifying Stage – Section C events on Tuesday with delays at both Dundonald in Scotland and Fleesensee in Germany.

Dundonald Golf Links was blown off course early in the day with only one group finishing before play was abandoned for the day.

Play was suspended at 12.00 and with no let up in the high winds and driving rain sweeping across that part of Scotland so the decision was taken at 17.30 to abandon play for the day.

Round 1 will re-commence at 0730hrs Wednesday morning. Only one group finished and none of the afternoon games had teed off. 

It was a similar at Fleesensee Golf Club at the First Qualifying Stage – Section C where heavy rain disrupted proceedings.

Play was suspended at 9.50am and resumed at 3.15pm with the afternoon starters not getting underway until 5.15pm.

Grant Amongst Goal Seekers

European Tour Qualifying School Section C this week moves Dundonald Links in Scotland and Fleesensee in Germany with over twenty five Irish players chasing places at Stage 2 in November. 

Former Shamrock Rover Rovers striker, Stephen Grant, is one of those seeking to make European Tour golf his new full time sporting career having left professional football behind in 2004. 

Only two Irish players – Michael McGeady and Niall Turner from Section A - have so far secured their places at the next stage from a total of 13 Irish competitors through the first four events. 

Michael Collins, David Mortimer and Mark Staunton of FORE Ireland will be amongst those competing in four rounds of golf at Dundonald Links from Tuesday to Friday. 

Gareth Shaw, a regular on the Challenge Tour, is also in the field as is former European Tour member and current leader of the Lexus Race To Mount Juliet in association with PING, David Higgins of Waterville. 

These players will join Noel Murray of Dunmurray GC; James Monaghan [AM] of The Island; Fergal Rafferty, Unattached; Chris Hughes, Castle GC; Peter O’Keeffe, Douglas GC; Gary David Cullen, Beaverstown; Michael Lavelle, K Club; Barrie Trainor, Team Ireland Golf; Tim Rice, Limerick; Damien Mooney, Unattached; Noel Fox, Portmarnock GC; John G Kelly, St Margaret’s Golf and Country Club; Reeve Whitson, Mourne GC and Chris Moriarty, Donaghdea. 

Daniel Sugrue, who received a sponsor’s invite to the 3 Irish Open at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, is also in the entry list. 

At Fleesensee the irish contingent includes Sean Patrick Ryan [AM], Royal Dublin GC; Mervyn Owens, Unattached and Neil O’Briain [AM] of Royal Dublin GC.

No Irish Joy at B School

Niclas Johansson of Sweden won the European Tour Qualifying School First Stage Section B at Ebreichsdorf in Austria with a 13 under par total. Johansson carded rounds of 69, 68, 68 and 70 to finish two ahead of Canadian Andrew Parr, while 15 players in total qualified for the next stage.

At the second venue in Barbaroux another Swede, Jens Dantorp, won the Qualifying School First Stage Section B at Golf de Barbaroux in France with a seven under par total.

Dantorp had rounds of 73, 71, 70 and 67 to win the stage by three shots from Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and Trent Leon of the United States. 

The early leaders, American Michael Schachner and Thomas Fournier of France, fell back to finish on three under within the overall 15 players – with aggregate of less than 292 - to qualify for the next round.

Richard Kilpatrick of Banbridge, who was in 21st place at the start of the final day, carded a 72 – also benefiting from a two shot swing in the winning score - to finish in a tie for 16th place with an aggregate 295.

Michael Mulryan Athenry Golf Club was the only the other Irish player to make the cut in France finished with a 75 on +11 and aggregate 299.

The Second Stage takes place over four courses in Spain – Costa Ballena Ocean Club, Arcos Gardens, Hacienda del Alamo and El Valle Golf Resort – from November 26 – 29 before the Final Stage at PGA Golf Catalunya Resort in December, where 30 players plus ties will win a European Tour card for 2011.

Only two Irish players – Michael McGeady and Niall Turner from Section A - have made it so far to the next stage from a total of 13 competitors.

Next week at Q School Section C there will be 18 Irish players taking to the field at Dundonald Links and another five in Fleesensee in Germany.

Irish Fail Q School Section B

American Michael Schachner and Frenchman Victor Dubuisson continue to lead The European Tour Qualifying School First Stage – Section B at Barbaroux, in France with both players carding second round 70’ s move to nine under par six strokes clear of Frenchman Tony Raillard and Canadian Mitch Gillis, who both carded rounds of 71. 

The top 15 and ties from the 66-player field will progress through to second stage which is bad news for the Irish field as the best placed, Richard Kilpatrick of Banbridge GC, dropped to a tie for 21st place after a round of 77 to finish 7 over par – failing on this occasion. 

Michael Mulryan Athenry Golf Club ended 8 over par after a two over par round of 74. 

Glen Robinson of St. Helens Bay Golf Resort signed for a 75 to finish +16. 

Cian McNamara of Limerick GC, carded a round fop 85 to finish 18 over. 

At Ebreichsdorf in Austria Sweden’s Niclas Johansson carded another 68 to retain a three shot lead on the third day. 

Irish player, Justin Brink of Mieminger Plateau GC, signed for a 77 to finish in a tie for 45th place on +18. 

Eamonn Brady of Clontarf did not return a card. 

Only the top 14 players and ties after 72 holes will progress through to second stage in Austria.

Q School Section B – Day 1

The second week of European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 is underway with Section B in Barbaroux Golf Club in France and Ebreichsdorf in Austria. 

In France American Michael Schachner and Frenchman Victor Dubuisson both carded seven under par rounds of 65 to lead The European Tour Qualifying School First Stage – Section B at Barbaroux. 

Thomas Fournier of France is two shots back after a 65 with the top 15 and ties from the 66-player field in France progressing through to second stage. 

The best of the irish is Richard Kilpatrick, Banbridge GC on 2 under after a round of 70 and a tie for eighth place. 

Michael Mulryan Athenry Golf Club is +2 after signing for a 74; 

Cian McNamara, Limerick GC carded a 75 to finish +3 

Glen Robinson of St. Helens Bay Golf Resort in Rosslare was +8 after signing for an 80. 

Byron Campbell [AM], Malone Golf Club carding an 83 to finish +11 

At Ebreichsdorf in Austria, Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren fired a five under par 67 to lead by one stroke clear from compatriot Victor Almstrom, with a third Swede Niclas Johansson a further stroke back following a 69. 

The best of the Irish on day one was Eamon Brady of Clontarf finishing 2 over par after a 74 in a tie for 28th place. 

Justin Brink of Mieminger Plateau GC signed for a +6 and total of 78 

With 58 players teeing it up, the top 14 players and ties after 72 holes will progress through to second stage.

Q School Section B - Roll Call

The second week of European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 starts on Tuesday with Section B being hosted this week in Barbaroux Golf Club in France and Ebreichsdorf in Austria.

The players taking their place in France include Michael Mulryan Athenry Golf Club;  Richard Kilpatrick, Banbridge Golf Club; Cian McNamara, Limerick GC; Byron Campbell, Malone Golf Club and Glen Robinson of  St. Helen's Bay Golf Resort in Rosslare.

In Austria there are two Irish players competing, Justin Brink of Mieminger Plateau GC and Eamon Brady, of Clontarf Golf Club

It is anticipated that 310 participants will reach Qualifying School Stage 2, of which around 80 will progress to the Final Stage 3. 

The leading 30 players (and ties) at the Final Stage will be eligible for Category 11 Membership of the European Tour for the following season. Players who finish below 30th place will be eligible for Category 14 Membership of the European Tour and Category 7 Membership of the Challenge Tour for the following season.

Players who miss the cut at the Final Stage will be eligible for Category 12 Membership of the Challenge Tour for the following season.

This year 47 Irish players registered for Qualifying School and only two made it through Section A last  week at The London Club – Michael McGeady of McCambridge Duffy and Niall Turner of Muskerry Golf Club.

McGeady and Turner Reach Stage 2

Michael McGeady of McCambridge Duffy signed for a fourth round 67 to finish in third place - on thirteen under - five shots behind the event winner, Ricki Neil-Jones of England, to reach the next stage of the Qualifying School.

Neil-Jones had reason to celebrate after setting a course record of 63 at The London Golf Club in Kent on Friday and a final score of eighteen under after an eagle and eight birdies to top the list of 24 qualifiers who made it through the First Qualifying Stage – Section A. 

His aggregate score of 270 was good enough for a four stroke win over fellow Englishman Yasin Ali. 

Niall Turner of Muskerry Golf Club ended the four days with a 67 to finish on five under par in a share of 19th place to guarantee his place at Stage 2 in November. 

Shane Franklin signed for a 72 to end one over par in a tie for 47th place and misses the next stage. 

At Ribagolfe in Portugal, 20 players moved a step closer to their goal of a European Tour card with home favourite Tiago Cruz of the host nation and Spain’s Borja Etchart sharing first place on five under par 283. 

The First Qualifying Stage continues next week at Ebreichsdorf in Austria - with Irish players Justin Brink of Mieminger Plateau GC and Eamon Brady of Clontarf involved. 

At Barbaroux in France – Michael Mulryan of Athenry GC, Richard Kilpatrick of Banbridge GC, Cian McNamara of Limerick GC, Byron Campbell of Malone GC and Glen Robinson of St. Helens Bay GC – will compete next week.

Three Play Final Round Section A - S1

At the London Club Niall Turner [216] of Muskerry GC; Michael McGeady [207] of McCambridge Duffy and Shane Franklin [217] made it to the final round of Q School Stage 1 Section A.

Michael McGeady has continued his recent form with a opening round of 67, and then  carding 70 and 71 to stay in contention for a place in Stage 2.

England's Andrew Johnston leads the way after a third round 66 put him on pole position in the race for qualification to the second stage on an aggregate of 203 following rounds of 68,69 and 66.

He leads by two from leading amateur Tom Sherreard, while second round leaders Tim Sluiter of the Netherlands and Ricki Neil-Jones of England faltered on Thursday with rounds of 72 and 73 respectively.

Ian Davison of Groosmsport Golf Centre in Northern Ireland was a withdrawal and Garret Leahy missed out on this occasion after an aggregate of 249.

Johnston's 66 was the low round of the day alongside English amateur Liam O'Neill.

At Ribegolfe in Portugal, Borja Etchart of Spain took over the running at the First Qualifying Stage Section A event near Lisbon.

Etchart holed a wedge on the 405 yard third hole for an eagle two on his way to a third round 68 to move to five under par 211, one clear of Portugal’s Tiago Cruz who has hung on to second place throughout the week. Sebi Garcia, also of Spain, moved into third with a 68 to lie two off the lead at three under par 213 heading into the fourth round.

The low round of the day came from Morocco’s Younes El Hassani, whose 66 included a run of six birdies in his first eight holes.

Simon Ward finished with an aggregate 249 after rounds of 81, 76 and 83 to miss out progressing further this season.

Anyone Going To Tour School?

Photo : INPHO

A total of forty seven Irish players will set out as of this week – and over the next month – to compete in the European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 which will end on December 9th with Stage 3 to be hosted at the PGA Catalunya where 30 players will earn playing rights for the 2011 season under Category 11b – which guarantees a minimum number of playing opportunities for new season.

In general Tour School graduates over the past 10 seasons have guaranteed 18 tournaments which normally means they will play the events early in the season when the “big guns” are taking a break and recovering from the ever extending golf season. 

At European Tour Qualifying School last year Ireland had 6 representatives reach the final Stage 3 played and on the final day the handful of Irish players included were Niall Kearney, winner of the 2009 Brabazon Trophy and Walker Cup; Simon Thornton, a former Assistant Professional at Royal County Down; Gary Murphy, seeking to reclaim his card ten years after first securing first it and John Kelly, the protégé of Padraig Harrington and the TItleist Performance Center. 

At the end of the three rounds only Thornton and Murphy made it through in 28th and 18th place respectively. 

For the 2011 season there is no reason to believe that the success rate should be any higher even if more players are taking on Stage 1 in the coming four weeks as little will have changed at QS to make it less of a tough initiation to the world of golf. 

It is expected that there will be over 700 participants at the first Stage of which approximately 310 participants will reach the second Stage of which around 80 (25%) will progress to the Final Stage 3. 

The leading 30 players (and ties) at the Final Stage will be eligible for Category 11 Membership of the European Tour for the following season. 

Players who finish below 30th place are eligible for Category 14 Membership of the European Tour and Category 7 Membership of the Challenge Tour for the following season. 

Then the players who miss the cut at the Final Stage will be eligible for Category 12 Membership of the Challenge Tour for the following season. 

For Simon Thornton and Gary Murphy, who did make it, the news about their current season on the main tour is not without it’s hazards either and offers no guarantee of success with the real possibility of a return to Q Scholl always hanging over them - until old they hit the magic number that secures exemption for the next year. 

In the case of Gary Murphy the decline in earnings evidenced in the 2009 season continued this year as the Kilkenny man missed the cut 18 times – out of a total of 22 starts - only making it through to the weekend at the South Africa Championship last December, Open de Andalucia in March, Estoril Open de Portugal in June and the recent Czech Open. 

The total earnings accumulated so far is just over fifteen thousand euro with a current European Tour ranking of 252, leaving him well short of a finish in the top 115 of the Race to Dubai (European Tour Order of Merit). Although a tournament win, in what is left of the season, will assure him of a place next year the odds are stacking up similarly to last year – albeit he was much closer to the mark last season. 

With the players retaining their card on 2009 earnings on a total €250,786 last year things look difficult for Gary and another trip to Q School this year maybe unavoidable in December. 

For Simon Thornton the challenge was perhaps greater given he was truly in his Rookie year on the European Tour, so had to learn the ropes as he went along. In January, things were made more challenging when his Father passed away only days before his fist event, the Africa Open in East London. Bravely, Simon went ahead and played the event as his Father had wished then returning to England for the funeral after – not surprisingly - missing the cut. 

On his return to South Africa he played the J’oburg Open in mid January finishing in a creditable 17th place in on only his second event Tour event. 

He then followed that achievement by making the cut in the next two tournaments with a 36th place at the Open de Andalucia, which was won by 2010 Open Championship winner, Louis Oosthuizen and then 10th place at the Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal in April - the very weekend his Daughter was due. 

In the build up to the first Re-rank, and as the bigger events came up in the calendar, Thornton missed five consecutive cuts of which the first was the Open de España in Sevilla, followed by BMW Italian Open, the Ibedrola Open Calla Millor Mallorca and then the Madrid Masters, which was won by Luke Donald and promoted by Spanish golfer, Gonzalo Fernandez Castaño. 

Fortunately the Bradford born player had done enough in the early part of the season to benefit from the re-rank moving up to 18th place and Gary Murphy moving the opposite direction and dropping ten places. 

At the Celtic Manor Wales Open in June Thornton notched up a 61st place finish which he followed with a ninth place in the BMW International Open in Munich - although he had missed his sixth cut in the intervening week at the Estoril Open de Portugal. 

At Eichenried Golfclub in Munich the experience of playing in the final group on the Sunday of a European Tour event with Bradley Dredge and Ross Fisher, who would win the 3 Irish Open only a couple of weeks later, was invaluable in a Rookie season. Also three rounds of 67 leading up to Sunday clearly show that Thornton has the game for the big time as well. 

Although the following week at the Alstom Open de France he missed the cut once more it was remedied with a 41st place finish in the Nordea Scandinavian Masters near Stockholm the week afterwards. In positive frame of mind in Killarney at the 3 Irish Open Thornton was disappointed with his first round of 71. However, on Friday a 74 saw him end three shots off the level par cut with an earlier than planned trip home to Newcastle, County Down. 

After a few weeks break and playing on the Irish Region Thornton was back in action at the Czech Open but went on to miss his seventh cut of the season. It was followed by a weekend stay at the Johnnie Walker Championship in Gleneagles carding a total of 287 shots for 29th place and a cheque for fifteen thousand Euro. 

With the last few events now just over the horizon with over one hundred and four thousand euro earned so far, Simon Thornton needs a few more results to go his way to secure automatic rights for next year and build on his experience. Currently he is 142nd in the European Tour – Race to Dubai rankings. 

After the second Re-rank of Category 11 Exemption in August Thornton moved up to 12th place with Murphy moved further down to 36th place. Despite the improved position Thornton was still four places outside the list for the Omega European Masters at Crans-Sur-Sierre in Switzerland this week. 

For those players starting out this month on the Qualifying School trail with dreams of making the Tour and life as a professional golfer, they should perhaps go no further than the experiences of Gary Murphy and Simon Thornton – last year’s Tour School Irish qualifiers – to remind themselves of how fortune also has to plays it’s part in the story. 

No better example of the tough side of Q School - and how it holds quarter for no one – is Philip Walton who despite being part of a winning 1995 Ryder Cup team Oak Hill, with three wins on the European Tour, playing two Walker Cup’s, the Eisenhower Trophy, winning 4 Irish PGA Titles and the Dunhill World Cup in 1995, the Malahide man battled Stage 3 of Tour School at San Roque on four successive years before finally regaining his card in 2004. 

He more than most will tell you that Tour School is a tough place to be – and to be avoided if at all possible – once you have obtained your card. 

For Simon Thornton there are still options but for Gary Murphy a return would appear very much on the cards. 

August 31st – September 3rd
Section A - Ribagolfe, Lisbon, Portugal
Simon Ward

Section A - The London Club, Kent
Ian Davison
Garrett Leahy (AM)
Niall Turner
Michael McGeady
Shane Franklin

September 7th – 10th 

Section B - Ebreichsdorf, Austria
Justin Brink
Eamonn Brady

Section B - Barbaroux, France
Michael Mulryan
Byron Campbell (AM)
Richard Kilpatrick
Glen Robinson
Cian McNamara


September 14th-17th 
Section C - Dundonald Links
Noel Murray (AM)
Reeve Whitson (AM)
James Monaghan (AM)
Fergal Rafferty
Chris Hughes
Gareth Shaw
Peter O’Keeffe
Mark Staunton
Michael Lavelle
David Mortimer
Barrie Trainor
Michael Collins
Danny Sugrue
Tim Rice
John Kelly
Chris Moriarty
David Higgins
Damian Mooney
Noel Fox

Section C - Fleesensee, Germany
Sean Patrick Ryan (AM)
Neil O Briain (AM)
Stephen Grant
Mervyn Owens
Mark Campbell

September 21st – 24th 
Section D - Wychwood Park, Crewe
David Ruddy (AM)
Cian Daly (AM)
John Price
David Kernoghan (AM)
Dara Lernihan (AM)
Ross Oliver
Cian Curley
David Rawluk
Paul O’Hanlon
Brendan McCarroll

Section D - Bogogno, Fubine, Italy
Ruaidhri McGee (Roda)

Stage Two - November 26th – 29th 
Costa Ballena

Arcos Gardens

Hacienda del Alamo

El Valle Golf Resort


Final Stage Three - December 4th – 9th

PGA Golf Catalunya Resort;  Stadium Course and Tour Course