There will be a poignancy to Gary Hurley’s participation in the prestigious Patriot All America Tournament for leading collegiate golfers this week, as the Dungarvan native honours a man from his hometown who served with distinction in the American armed forces.

Christmas had to come a little early for Gary Hurley this week as the National University of Ireland, Maynooth golfer got his yuletide celebrations done in good time for a dash across the Atlantic and a prestigious date with some of the amateur game’s leading lights.