From the glitz and glamour of Rome to the rugged terrain and the grind in Ballybunion. Sean Keeling will be the marquee name when he tees it up in the Flogas Irish Boys’ Amateur Open Championship on Tuesday.
A non-runner in the Connolly Motors West of Ireland Championship, Keeling’s priority is to get his hands on a national title at Boys level to try and build up a trophy cabinet that will help him progress into becoming a regular contender at Men’s events.
A serial winner at this level, the Roganstown star has already bagged the Scottish Boys’ Open Championship and the Ulster and Connacht titles.
“I want to be consistent and put myself in contention as much as I can. If I do that I’ll get a win eventually so it’s about getting into position to try and make the breakthrough,” said Keeling who was unbeaten in last year’s Junior Ryder Cup as Europe romped to victory over the USA in Rome.
Keeling is one of a number of Golf Ireland High Performance panelists not playing in the West of Ireland. But he faced a luxurious choice between Co. Sligo Golf Club (Rosses Point) or Ballybunion.
The 17-year-old is delighted to have the opportunity to play one of Ireland’s favourite courses, particularly at this level.
“The golf courses we get to play on, being Irish maybe we don’t appreciate it as much as we should, we have some of the best championship golf courses in the world so we are very lucky.”
Keeling will be joined by his Junior Vagliano Trophy partner Jack Murphy while the likes of Charlie Smyth, Mark Gazi and Donnacha Cleary make up a strong field.
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