With his Leaving Certificate exams scheduled for next June, it’s a big year for Fota Island teenager John Doyle. But they couldn’t be farther from his mind as a dream month is set to conclude with a European Junior Ryder Cup appearance today.
When Stephen Gallagher, a European Ryder Cup player in 2014, announced his 12-strong side –six boys and six girls – to contest the Junior Ryder Cup at Bethpage as the curtain raiser to the biennial highlight, Doyle’s name was among them and it was the crowning moment in what’s already been an incredible eight months for the Cork native and reigning Irish Boys champion who recently turned 18.
“I can’t wait,” Doyle said. “That was probably my main goal at the start of the year, to make that Junior Ryder Cup team. Not specifically making it, but just to play good enough golf to be in with a shout and I am glad I did that.
“I am looking forward to it. Trying to get my game into as good a shape as possible, Bethpage will be tougher than anything I’ve faced this year.”
The golf course itself might be tougher, but he’s had no shortage of stiff competition in preparation, having made his full international debut in the European Teams Championships in Killarney where Ireland narrowly lost out to Denmark in the semi-final and to England in the Bronze Medal match, then followed up with a Home Internationals appearance at Woodhall Spa in England.
All of this came before an Irish Open invitation was extended.
“I think so,” he said when asked if the additional experiences would stand him in good stead when he pulls on the blue and yellow of Europe in New York. “I feel like playing with the men if you go back to the Boys golf you feel like you have a few more nuggets of information. It’s just been good this year spending all this time at men’s events.
“It’s going to be a great month. I was at TPC Sawgrass that was cool. I’m having a dream month but that’s mostly justified because I played good golf and that shows what opportunities can open up, so now it’s about taking advantage of them. You might as well.”
As for his schooling? It’s been put on the back burner for the time being.
“I’ve not attended any days yet,” he grinned, “it’s been a delayed start to the leaving cert.
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