Hello to all,
It has been a hectic few weeks but with that brings new goals, new challenges and exciting prospects on the horizon for the coming months and weeks ahead. As it draws to the end of the standard playing season, and into the European Tour Qualifying School I’m delighted to say that my game is in great shape and very much looking forward to the challenges that await!
When I haven’t been travelling, and competing, I have been working very closely with my coach John Kelly which is always enjoyable and productive at the same time. We have worked on many areas of my game over the past few weeks and I am happy that steady, consistent progress has been made and the Launch Monitor data proves that for us. In particular, we have been working on trying to get behind the ball in the back swing. I have a tendency to get stuck on my left side which makes a full shoulder turn very difficult. A simple feeling of shifting my weight into my right foot going back has made all the difference to my striking. The key for us all is to be able to take our driving range swing onto the course for a competition round and it’s no different for the pro’s!.
106th PGA Irish Championship 2016, Moyvalley
Well what can I say, every year this event gets more and more exciting to me and this year was no exception. This iconic and prestigious event is one of the highlights of the Irish PGA Calendar every year and after claiming victory in Adare in 2014 and Dundalk 2015 I was on the hunt for a hatrick and join the very elite and select group of golfers who have won it 3 times in a row, one been the late Christy O’Connor Snr of The Royal Dublin. It has been some time since I played on the Moyvalley course, so I was looking forward to my visit and seeing how the course has matured over the years etc. The course is quite exposed to the elements and even though its inland it plays very much like a seaside links course. The event kicked off with the Pro Am on the Wednesday and I was very fortunate to be paired up with the ex-Irish footballer and manager Steve Staunton and racing commentator Des Scahill. Nothing short of great entertainment and some brilliant sporting stories were shared over the course of our round together.
I gave my defence a bloody good crack and was in the final group on the final day with a chance to win. Damien McGrane played fabulous golf on the final day and was a worthy winner. I was happy with my golf overall during the week and could take a lot of positives onto stage 1 of tour school the following week.
First Stage, European Tour Q School- Frilford Heath, England
The two words that send shivers down a tour pro’s spine, “Q-School”. Tour School is a gruelling process for any player as it’s at the end of the playing season, where players can be tired and a little burnt out. Lucky for me my confidence is building every day and my game is in a strong robust position. I have had a lot of success at Tour School over the years and very much enjoy the “Knock Out” style format that’s involved. With a run of consistent playing over the past few weeks I felt confident and excited entering into the week at Frilford Heath. First stage is played over 8 different venues throughout Europe during the month of September. I had opted to play Frilford Heath, just an hour outside London. To say we were blessed with the weather was an understatement for October, the sun was shining, the heat beaming down on me and my caddy for the perfect golf conditions.
I am delighted to say that I played very solid golf and did qualify for the second stage which is held in Spain in early November. I finished up on 7 under par for the event which had me in 5th position!
EuroPro Final- Desert Springs, Spain
After a relatively positive season on the Europro Tour, the Top 60 from the Order of Merit go forward to the final event of the Europro season. This event is held mid-October in Desert Springs, Spain. This tournament came at a great time for me, escape the Irish rain and clouds and get back out in sunshine and heat, the perfect conditions for golf. The event was held over three days Wednesday to Friday, no cut. The event was well organised from start to finish. The course itself was very tricky, a narrow course, with lots of cactus trees and heavy rough. You really had to commit to your tee shots especially and not become defensive on such a layout. I played really solid golf but unfortunately didn’t get the bounce of the ball and finished T19th. Once again lots of notes taken on the week to bring forward to 2ndstage of Tour School!
What next???
I am currently back in Dublin for the week on the back of returning from Spain after the EuroPro Final. A week to rest, recharge the batteries, into the gym, plenty of time on the range with my coach John Kelly and of course home cooked dinners courtesy of Mum Kearney. I also hope to attend the Leinster v Connacht rugby match held at the RDS on Saturday to see my younger brother Mick tog out for the Blues!
It’s then back to the airport once again, Spain bound for 2nd stage of Tour school. I have been allocated Campo de golf el Saler, Valencia. A fantastic golf course which has hosted numerous Spanish Open Championships over the years. It promises to be a great challenge.
Thanks again for all your support and I’ll be sure to keep you all updated on the progress throughout Tour School. For all your social media peeps log onto my Instagram and Twitter.
Now something for all you to think about “think that everything is possible as long you put your mind to it and put the work and time into it. The mind controls everything” (Michael Phelps)
Keep Swinging Folks!!!
Regards,
NK.
