The Atlantic coast is in for a treat this week as the leading PGA Professionals descend on Donegal Golf Club on the Murvagh peninsula to compete for the €30,000 prizefund on offer at the Donegal Pro-Am.
Nine of the top 10 in the Elavon Order of Merit rankings are in the field, with Simon Thornton the only notable absentee, and the field includes co-defending champions Damian Mooney and Steven Quinlan who shared the spoils in the inaugural staging in 2023.
“It’s such a great golf course,” said Quinlan after the 2023 event. “It’s my first time up here as it is for almost everyone and I think we were all surprised by how good the golf course is and hopefully from what I’ve seen this event will continue and be a regular on our schedule.”
Mooney echoed Quinlan’s sentiments and it’s no surprise to see the Lough Erne pro making the short journey to seek sole possession of the trophy that Quinlan took home in 2023 courtesy of a better final-round score as they stood locked at three-under after 36 holes.
“It’s been fantastic,” Mooney said, “the members have thrown their heart and soul into this, and I can’t speak highly enough of the venue, the fairness of the golf course, the presentation, the members, the staff, they have all been fabulous.”
2023 Order of Merit champion David Higgins has yet to record a victory in 2023 but after a runner-up finish at Carne Golf Links earlier this month, another Pro-Am on his favoured terrain means he may well be the man to beat in Donegal this week.
Tim Rice, currently lying second on the Elavon Order of Merit, will have other ideas however, and the only man to best Higgins over the two days at Carne made it back-to-back victories after taking the Philip Walton Pro-Am in Malahide the previous week.
Walton himself is another of the star attractions, as is Colm Moriarty who secured his place on the PGA Cup team set to battle the United States in Oregon in September via the PGA Professional Championship at Conwy Golf Club in Wales, and the Glasson man is also set to compete in Open Championship Final Qualifying next week.
North West Golf Club’s Brian McElhinney is the star attraction from the host county, and the former Amateur Championship winner should enjoy a healthy dose of support from his fellow countymen, as will Letterkenny-based Derry man Michael McGeady who sits fourth in the Elavon Order of Merit thanks in no small measure to his victory in the Moune Golf Club Pro-Am at Royal County Down back in May.
Play is set to get underway at 8:20 am, with each Pro accompanied by a team of three amateurs.