Golden future ahead for Dunne
Irish international Dunne, a golf scholar at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, showed enough about his game — particularly during a brilliant run of four birdies in a row on the back nine on Friday — that there is much to look forward to in a career destined for the professional ranks.
And while the effects of his first Major appearance may take a while to sink in, his two rounds with the big boys, while not reaping the prize for low amateur, had plenty of other compensations.
“I’ve definitely learned a lot from this,” Dunne said following a second-round 73 which, alas, would not be good enough to get him into the final two rounds.
“I have to take some time and dwell on it before evaluating what I’ve learned from it. It would be premature now. But, basically, patience is the key, and if you can always have a positive mind-set then you’ve always got a chance.
“It’s been very different, obviously with the bigger crowds. I’m used to playing in front of 200 or 300 people if you’re in contention in an amateur event.
“I’m quite happy with how I dealt with the whole experience. I was struggling with my swing coming into this week and I guess the in-to-the-wind holes just got the better of me and found me out.”
The Open marked the ninth week in a row that Dunne has played tournament golf and he faced a decision on his arrival home in Greystones, whether to continue his exhausting recent competitive schedule and take his place in the Leinster team for the Senior Interprovincials starting today at The Island.
What should not be in doubt, though, is his appearance for Ireland in next month’s Home Internationals at Southerndown GC in south Wales, a last hurrah for the summer before returning to college and rejoining the UAB team coached by Bray’s former Challenge Tour pro Alan Murray.
“Alan has been a great influence on me. He has played Challenge Tour and Europro Tour and eventually decided to take up coaching. He is a good influence, he is big on little things you do in practice making a difference over the time. He makes us work hard and has a positive mind-set, so I owe him a lot of gratitude for what he has done for me over there.”
Another positive influence on Dunne’s playing career has been former UAB golf star Graeme McDowell. “I have met him a few times, he hosts a tournament for us at college every year. He comes and hangs out with us, he is great. I think you can tell from Graeme, he is really easy to be around, a great guy. And he is just really positive as well. He has been brilliant for Irish golf.”
Dunne also played a round with McDowell ahead of last week’s Open at Hoylake and the advice he received stood him in good stead for the tournament and beyond.
“Graeme and his caddie [Ken Comboy] were telling me that patience is so important, especially in weeks like this that are long and tough. Any mistakes you make, there is no point rushing to try and make birdies, that you will always have time. And if you can just string a few pars together, your scorecard is going to look a lot better. That was good to take on board, it really helped when I got off to a rough start.”
Lowry gives thanks for team days
Those gathering at The Island today for the GUI Senior Interpros could not fail to have been impressed — not just by Rory McIlroy’s victory but by Shane Lowry’s closing 65 at Hoylake which earned him a tie for ninth place.
It was the Esker Hills golfer’s best finish in seven starts in a Major, Sunday’s final round matched the low score of the championship and it improved Lowry’s world ranking to 59th.
Not only that but Lowry, 27, credited his days as an amateur team member for giving him the necessary competitive edge to cut it at the top.
“I grew up part of an Irish team and part of a Leinster team; we were always winners. We were always playing and always winning tournaments. That’s where I got my winning mentality and my competitive edge that I need to play and compete over here,” Lowry said.
Irish golf website GoGolfing.ie has announced a new fundraising initiative in support of the Barnardos charity.
The children’s charity is to receive 50% of online commission paid on accommodation bookings made through the website.
“Here is an opportunity for golf societies, individual golfers, their friends and families, to make a vital contribution to the work of Barnardos,” GoGolfing.ie’s Tony Deegan said.
