Maturer McGrane ready to swing

THE Tour School at the end of each European season is reputed to be the most nerve-wracking event in sport.

A professional golfer's future is at stake over six rounds on a couple of tough Spanish courses with only 35 qualifying for cards each year. Many a fine player has been broken by the School's peculiar demands.

Damien McGrane, the 32-year-old club professional at Wexford, knows all about what it takes to cope and recently came up with a very definite solution he played superbly at Emporda just outside Barcelona to tie for third, closing out with a 66 for a card that will enable him to play as many tournaments on the European Tour in 2004 as he wants.