After a whirlwind year that included getting married and welcoming his first child, Quentin Carew is settling back into his competitive rhythm and is hoping for a strong showing this week as the Castleknock golfer tees it up at the Ulster Men’s Amateur Stroke Play Open Championship.
Shandon Park plays host to both the Men’s and Women’s Championships, with 54 holes of stroke play ahead for the 84 competitors vying for silverware at the Belfast venue.
With the support of his wife Mairead, Carew has managed to establish a more consistent routine this season, one that is already paying off on the course, with the 34-year-old having claimed a confidence boosting victory at the Castleknock Scratch Cup earlier this month at his home club.
“It was really nice to get a win there and build that confidence again because I felt my game is in decent shape and seeing that bit of a reward for it is good”, said Carew.
“It was good to have something to build on going into the next couple of weeks because there’s a busy schedule ahead now.”
The Ulster Stroke Play was an event that Carew had marked on the calendar since the start of the season. Having missed this event last season, he is excited by the challenge the Belfast course presents as it brings back memories of the “old school parkland” golf which he grew up playing.
Carew will begin his campaign alongside Chris Moulds (Lisburn) and Paraic McGrath (Galway Bay), with the trio getting their tournament underway at 9.40am on Monday morning.
This week also marks the return to home soil for several American college stars including David Lally (Blainroe), Katie Poots (Knock), Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye) and Ellen O’Shaughnessy (Co.Louth) all of whom will be looking to make their mark.
Mindset has also become a central focus for Carew, with support from former All-Ireland winning Dublin footballer Jason Sherlock, who has caddied for him on occasion, playing a key role in helping him stay mentally sharp.
“When he (Sherlock) is caddying for me, that’s what we’re doing, we’re not thinking about the result, it’s about trusting the process”, said Carew.
“Acceptance is the big thing as well on the course with a shot, whether it’s a birdie or a bogey, your mindset still remains the same and you’re still at that same level, which has been really good, and it’s been a huge benefit to me.”
With momentum on his side, a clear mindset, and the support of his family, including baby Lily, proudly named after his native Kildare Lilywhites, Carew heads north with a quiet confidence.
The Men’s Championship tees off at 7.00am with Sean Reddy (Douglas), Jonny Hall (Galgorm Castle) and Simon Miskelly (Knock) getting proceedings underway.
The Women’s Championship begins at 8.50am with Gertie McMullen (The Island) and Irish Senior Women’s Amateur Close Champion Gail Linter (Belvoir Park) teeing up alongside William Walshe (Delgany).
View the first-round tee times here
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