Eye on the prize

Portmarnock gives Irish pros like Damien McGrane the opportunity to test their progress against the European Tour big-hitters — and get their hands on some welcome loot. The Wexford man spoke to Declan Colley.

TAKING €2,750 home after a couple of days work might seem appealing to many people, but for a professional golfer with serious ambitions to crack the professional ranks, it is not likely to propel anyone into the rarified atmosphere of the big money-makers.

But for Damien McGrane, the Wexford-based professional, taking a couple of grand away from the recent Phillip Walton Pro-Am at Dundrum House in Co Tipperary, was not a bad couple of days work.

Having come through Tour School for the umpteenth time last year and secured a card which sees him compete regularly on the European Challenge Tour and occasionally on the European PGA Tour proper, McGrane is looking for continual improvement in his game to the point where he can win regular and substantial cheques.

"I think I've shown a steady improvement recently and obviously I'd like to see that continue," McGrane says. "My golf is good at the moment and I appear to have consistency on my side, so the thing is being able to group together consecutive good rounds so I can win good prizes and, hopefully, earn a full tour card for next year."

To date this year McGrane has racked up a total of €47,664 on European Tour events, aside from his Challenge Tour earnings and while this is certainly not enough to guarantee a card for next year, it is still a handy platform from which to work.

"It is a simple fact that I'm one of a large group trying to get and keep a tour card and if I'm to do that, then I'm going to need that consistency and steady improvement I've been talking about."

At 33 years of age and the father of two children Gemma and Ethan with his wife Geraldine, there are those who might question McGrane ability to fulfil his ambition, but the player himself has no doubts.

"It is going to be difficult for me to crack it on the tour, but playing regularly leads to consistency and that can only be good."

McGrane's tour-hopping gives him an informed perspective of the difference between the haves and the have nots of the pro circuit, particularly as the courses are specifically set up for the big boys.

"There's not a lot of leeway on these courses for bad shots and every time you mis-hit one, you pay the price for it. The level of competition is no more intense than on the Challenge Tour, but the level of skill and the consistency required is much greater."

McGrane does have limited access to the upper tier of pro golf but that does not necessarily worry him. However, he recognises that he has to take every opportunity which comes his way if he is to earn that invaluable place on the tour proper.

"We play for an awful lot of money these days and it can be frustrating to see someone who has full playing rights but misses 40 cuts and yet still keeps his card. For guys in my position, it is not that easy because we will probably not even have the opportunity to miss 40 cuts. We have limited chances to make a mark and we have to try and win what we can where we can.

"I'm realistic about the situation, but I believe that I have the game to do it. The main thing is that I give it my best shot and made the most of any opportunities that come my way. If I don't do that, then I will not be happy."

Travelling, McGrane says, is the hardest part of life on tour, despite the fact that he tries, as often as is practicable, to have the family travel with him.

"In general, a lot of the Irish guys on the tour will hang around together and I have to say you do meet a lot of really nice people in different places and there is a lot of spare time, so it is not all golf.

"However, you have to remain focused and you have to realise that all the guys out there are doing it for the same reason as you are to try and win things.

"That in itself is a motivation to continue improving and to continue to try and achieve various goals."

Having said that, however, McGrane is not unhappy at having to come back to play in Ireland in local PGA events every now and then. "The Irish region got me where I am today and I like to continue to support it whenever I can. I want to make it on the European Tour, but you have to remember your roots too," he says.