Ballyliffin’s Damian Mooney warmed up for this week’s BMW PGA Championships at Wentworth by winning the inaugural New Ross Golf Club Pro Am with a brilliant course record of 65 at the County Wexford venue.
Mooney took advantage of the better morning weather, opening with a steady outward half of 1 under par before finding his putting groove to fire 5 birdies, including a hat-trick from the 14th, and only one bogey on his back nine.
His round of 65 always looked like it would be difficult to overhaul, and with a freshening afternoon breeze, the nearest challengers, Michael McGeady (unattached) and Wayne O’Callaghan (Fernhill) only came within two.
The only other player in the field to break par was Ciaran Molloy (Blackwood Golf Centre) who led home the team winners.
The day, according to Captain Paschal Bolger, was a resounding success for New Ross. “We set out to achieve three things – to raise the profile of the club, to get all the members behind the event and not to lose money!
The event exceeded all our expectations and we were blessed with fine weather.
The professionals had nothing but praise for our course and in particular our greens.
We’re into our 110th year and it’s our first Pro Am – it won’t be that long again before we have the pro’s back.”