Sharvin becomes Irish Close champ

Just five years after taking up the game, 20-year-old Cormac Sharvin from Ardglass Golf Club became the Irish champion at Connemara yesterday, beating Paul Dunne by one hole in the final.

Sharvin, who won the silver medal as leading qualifier in the AIG-sponsored event, showed grit and a mental strength rarely seen in those so new to the game and having disposed of Greystones’ David Byrne in the morning semi-final, the Co Down man was in control for much of the final against Dunne and showed no signs of nerves.

Having lost the first hole to a par, Sharvin composed himself and won the next two holes to edge ahead. Having won the eighth hole with a par, the pair stood on the 10th tee just 95 minutes after starting in a display of how competitive golf can be played at a reasonable pace.