Golfing Union of Ireland select McElhinney for European event

Six players have been selected by the Golfing Union of Ireland to compete in the European Individual Championship at Antwerp International Golf Club, Belgium, from August 17 to 20.

They are Connor Doran (Banbridge), Darren Crowe (Dunmurry), Brian McElhinney (North West), Michael McGeady (North West), Rory McIlroy (Holywood) and Cian McNamara (Limerick).

There have been three Irish winners of this event, most recently Brian McElhinney (2003), Stephen Browne who won the title in Denmark in 2001 and Paddy Gribben in 1998.

Six players have also been selected to compete in the 'Ireland Ryder Cup Challenge', a European Challenge Tour event at Killarney Golf Club from July 28 to 31.

They are Greg Bowden (Hermitage), Mark Campbell (Stackstown), Aengus McAllister (Portmarnock), Aaron O'Callaghan (Douglas), Mark O'Sullivan (Galway) and Mervyn Owens (Mallow).

The event has been developed by the European Challenge Tour to mark the Ryder Cup in Ireland next year and the GUI was invited to nominate six amateurs to compete alongside the professionals.