Victory a testament to success of coaching system

SHANE LOWRY’S victory at Baltray is part of the ongoing success story that is the Golfing Union of Ireland.

All of the current eleven Irish members of the European Tour are products of the GUI coaching regimen and not surprisingly national coach Neil Manchip was one of the proudest men in Co Louth last night after the dramatic outcome.

“Shane could have been playing in the Brabazon Trophy this week (won by yet another Irishman, Niall Kearney of Royal Dublin) but we knew he was going to turn professional soon anyway so we were happy for him to come up here and play his first professional event,” said Manchip. “His attitude was to play and enjoy himself and see what happened. We talked on the phone every night, going through his round and different shots.