Good times return for gentle giant O’Keeffe

There was a time when Douglas’ Peter O’Keeffe got so angry with himself during his five-year stint in the professional ranks that he would rip a golf glove off his hand in frustration.

But after being reinstated in the amateur fold after completing the obligatory two-year hiatus last year and hooking up with former Challenge Tour peer and two-time Irish Amateur Open champion Noel Fox as his main coach, he clinched the first big win of his career when he cruised to a stunning three-shot win in the Flogas Irish Amateur Open at Royal Co Down.

The 35-year old, 6 ft 5 gentle giant never fell out of love with the game despite losing a fraught, five-year battle to keep his emotions in check and make the grade in the professional ranks.