Gareth Shaw and Johnny Caldwell, Ireland’s collegiate golfing stars of the 2007-08 US season, enjoyed contrasting fortunes as the NCAA East Regional Championship got under way in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Irish Walker Cup star Jonny Caldwell claimed a tie for fourth place at the Rio Pinar Invitational in Orlando, Florida, but his University of South Alabama team-mates could not follow suit.

Belfast’s Johnny Caldwell got his final season under way as a University of South Alabama Jaguar with a top-25 finish as the University of Florida’s Sun Trust Gator Invitational.

Irish college golfers have much to be proud of as they head into the summer.