Royal Dublin’s Max Kennedy will make his Senior Irish debut at the 2023 European Amateur Team Championship in Belgium from 11-15 July and to make the six-man team is a serious nod of appreciation from selectors towards his remarkable consistency.
Kennedy has been in fantastic form all year with a runner-up finish to Liam Nolan in January’s South American Amateur the catalyst for a blistering run of seven top-10s and a win Stateside before he returned home to capture the Ulster Strokeplay title in Clandeboye while he made the cut at the European Amateur Championship.
Results show this is a well deserved call up to the Irish team and perhaps an indication that he is in the frame to play himself in to the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup squad in September with the ten-man team set to be announced next month by captain Stuart Wilson.
“It’s the best year I’ve ever had in terms of consistency, I’ve been very consistent and that’s what defines people is how consistent you are so I’m very happy with that and a couple of wins in there which is always nice,” says the 21-year-old who has his eyes on winning an Irish Championship this summer.
“To be on the team is a really nice feeling, I feel my consistency this year has led me to this which is nice. You’re up against the best golfers in the game so I’m looking to test myself against these guys and see how I do.
“I know I’m good enough to play against these players but it’s all about showing up on the week.”
The Louisville student already saw his consistency rewarded with a selection for the International side at last month’s Arnold Palmer Cup where he and Lauren Walsh snatched a dramatic half in the opening fourball match with a closing eagle.
“It was phenomenal the whole experience of it was nearly more than the golf itself, meeting new people and just getting to know that environment because I feel that’s kind of like the pro level with all the noise around it so from that side it was really good, really enjoyable.
“It was pretty nice to get that half especially the way we did because I don’t think we deserved to lose. It’s like an old style American course, it was phenomenal and in pristine condition.”
Kennedy wouldn’t win another point as the Internationals saw a late final day come back fall just short as the Americans held on.
“It’s tough, we gave it a good go on the final day. We played so well with our own ball then they just took advantage in the foursomes and played really, really well and they really beat us on that day, but the other two days in the four ball and singles we managed to beat them by a lot which was nice.
“It was a phenomenal experience and I’m glad it came down to the wire, it was very exciting on the final day coming down the last couple of holes knowing we could have still won.”
While a Walker Cup place is unknown as of yet for Kennedy he has a DP World Tour spot secured for August courtesy of his Ulster Strokeplay win and he will tee it up in the ISPS HANDA World Invitational in Galgorm Castle and Massereene.
“That was one of my goals to get into a tour event so I’m looking forward to that in August, it’ll be a good experience. Galgorm is a beautiful golf course but I haven’t played Massereene.”
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