Students from Mercy Mounthawk, Lucy Grattan (fourth year), Arie O’Shea (third year) and Ema Vinarcikova (second year) have qualified for the All-Ireland Schools Golf Final for the second year in a row.
Excitement is building for three young secondary school students from Tralee’s Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School who, next Monday, April 29, will represent their school at the All-Ireland Schools Golf Final in Milltown Golf Club in Dublin.
The trio of Lucy Grattan, a 4th year student, Arie O’Shea, a 3rd year student and Ema Vinarcikova, who is in 2nd year, have qualified for the tournament for second year in a row.
Making Lucy’s achievements all the more impressive is the face that she does not come from golfing parents but instead has relished the challenge of learning the ins and outs of the game alongside her brother; both dedicate hours to practising the sport at Tralee Golf Club each week. Golfing since she was 9 years of age, her greatest achievement to date is being chosen by Golf Ireland to go to the Darren Clarke School of Golf in the Bahamas this January.
Ema meanwhile began her golfing career as a seven year old as she tried out golf after watching golf on TV and since then, herself and her Dad have driven her up and down the country participating in various golf competitions. Ema’s all round game has been described as “excellent” with a special emphasis placed on her driving prowess. She is 14 years old and would love to get a scholarship to the States and turn pro.
Finally, Arie started golfing when she was 12 years old when her Mom began the get into golf programme in Tralee Golf Club and brought her along. Her greatest achievement was last year, cutting her handicap by 12 shots in one summer as well as representing her school in the All Ireland junior golf competition last year.
This trio of talented individuals will be competing against schools from the other provinces and are hoping to capture this much sought after prize in the Senior Girls section.
Principal John O’Rourke said this week that he is delighted that the girls have achieved such success and is in admiration of the dedication and hard work that has gone into their individual sport. He wished them well in this prestigious competition and that they can hopefully bring home the title.