Both Peter O’Keeffe and Robert Brazill were disappointed with Ireland’s fourth place finish in the Men’s Octagonal Matches in Costa Ballena but admitted it was nice to get their 2023 seasons underway.
Ireland were beaten 5-4 by England in the third/fourth place playoff in Cadiz having seen their hopes of winning dashed the day before by hosts and holders Spain.
Douglas native O’Keeffe was named in the Walker Cup squad for September’s tie against the USA and he won three out of four foursomes matches with fellow Walker Cup panelist Liam Nolan.
The Irish Mid-Am champion was pleased to dust off some cobwebs after a disruptive winter in Ireland ahead of next month’s trip to South Africa.
“Personally at the start of the season I was quite rusty, bad winter at home so I got a lot out of it,” explained O’Keeffe.
“I played nicely today, didn’t get the results out of it that we wanted today but going into the season it is a well worth it week, it’s nice to get out here and compete and get the season underway.”
Naas man and Connacht Strokeplay champion Rob Brazill is back in the Irish fold after a troublesome wrist injury and he enjoyed a positive campaign picking up one and a half points against England while ending the week with just two losses overall.
“It was a very beneficial week, very annoying not to get the win against England and finish higher overall but it was very beneficial to get the few days in with Mary Doyle and Mick Collins,” said the former West of Ireland champion.
“It’s a great stepping stone for South Africa and the rest of the year for all of us to get rid of the rust and get some practice done.”
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