The Golfing Union of Ireland have named a six-man squad to compete at The Amateur Championship, which will be held at Royal Aberdeen and Murcar Links for the first time from 18-23 June.
Mallow’s James Sugrue, who has climbed to fourth in the Bridgestone Order of Merit thanks to his top 10 finish at the recent Flogas Irish Amateur Open, has been included in the squad alongside Flogas champion Robin Dawson (Tramore), Alex Gleeson (Castle), Rowan Lester (Hermitage), Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) and Jonathan Yates (Naas).
Dawson is now Ireland’s highest ranked player in the world having moved up to 40th courtesy of his victory at Royal County Down in the Flogas Irish Amateur. Meamwhile, Dundalk’s Caolan Rafferty returns to The Amateur Championship with happy memories following his silver medal success in 2017 when he was the leading qualifier at Royal St George’s and Princes after shooting a 10-under par round of 62 in stroke play qualifying.
Seven more players from Ireland are also competing this year , Robert Brazill (Naas), Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint), Tiarnan McLarnon (Massereene), Ronan Mullarney (Galway), Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas), Mark Power (Kilkenny) and Conor Purcell (Portmarnock) and are among the 288-strong field.
The top 64 plus ties, following two rounds of stroke play qualifying, progress to the match play stages, which will be staged at Royal Aberdeen. Recent Irish winners of The Amateur Championship include Alan Dunbar (Rathmore) in 2012, Brian McElhinney (North West) in 2005 and Michael Hoey (Shandon Park) in 2001.
The GUI’s High Performance programme is supported by Sport Ireland and Sport NI.
GUI Squad – The Amateur Championship, Royal Aberdeen and Murcar Links (18-23 June):
Robin Dawson (Tramore)
Alex Gleeson (Castle)
Rowan Lester (Hermitage)
Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk)
James Sugrue (Mallow)
Jonathan Yates (Naas)
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