Murphy, Lawrie and McGrane attend NCTC workshops

THE Team Ireland Golf Trust Lunch and National Coaching and Training Centre (NCTC) workshops were held yesterday in Dublin and in attendance were the trust golfers, along with Irish Sports Council CEO John Treacy and members of the Team Ireland Golf Trust committee.

Last March, the trust allocated 240,000, targeting golfers who already enjoy playing rights on the major tours and those younger golfers starting out to compete on the professional golf circuit.

The trust is administered by the Irish Sports Council and aims to contribute to an increase in the presence of Irish golf professionals on the various international tours.

The NCTC training seminar for the trust golfers included a workshop on the complete range of support services available at the NCTC, from sports nutrition to sports psychology.

Trust golfers Gary Murphy, Damien McGrane and Peter Lawrie may have experienced contrasting fortunes at The K-Club last weekend, but all are extremely positive about their respective immediate futures and their performances this year show significant improvement.

Lawrie was content with his general progression this year despite being extremely disappointed at narrowly missing the cut at The K-Club and he has already secured his card for 2004. He is currently ranked 36th on the PGA European Tour.

McGrane is enjoying his golf and was upbeat after his 291 three-over par score at The K-Club, finishing level with Padraig Harrington for the tournament. McGrane showed excellent composure at the European Open and the experience gained will stand to him.

McGrane, like Gary Murphy, still has to ensure he maintains his card for next year, but is happy with his game and is confident he will do so.

Gary Murphy played superbly at the weekend finishing three-under and he was the highest placed Irishman apart from Darren Clarke. He is currently 114th on the Order of Merit.