Golf mad Mark Ryan swapped his office for the fairways and eased his way to a dream job.

The easy-going Dubliner grabbed a first 'Major' title when he beat Alan Dowling in the final of the West of Ireland championship this week.

His win was a massive boost for the Grange club's ambitious youth policy and Ryan's decision to become a full-time amateur.

But it could also see the 23 year old pull on the green jersey of Ireland at this year's Home International matches in Ballybunion.

A business graduate, Ryan worked at a Dublin stockbroker but jumped at the chance to give it up in March when he won a place on the Irish senior panel.

"I just wanted to play golf," he said. "I couldn't stand being indoors. Especially after getting on the Irish panel this year. I just couldn't face looking out the window during the season.

"My ambition is to play in the Home Internationals in Ballybunion in September and hopefully I will achieve that."

Ryan models himself on the Big Easy, South African Ernie Els and firmly believes that his super cool approach will help him go far.

"I think Ernie Els is class. There is no aggravation with him and I love that. He just gets on with it. He shows you that if you hit a bad shot there is no point in throwing a wobbler. You just have to forget about it and get on with things."

Ryan was certainly the coolest of the finalists a Rosses Point as he came back from three down after nine to beat Alan Dowling on the 17th green.

But he admits that his success is due in part to the wonderful youth policy initiated by the enthusiastic Terry Doyle at the Grange.

"I didn't take the game seriously until Terry started to encouraged myself and the other young players," he said.

"I put in more work after that and I won the Irish Youths' Championship at Enniscrone in 2001. Since then my ambition has been to make the Irish team for the Home Internationals. Hopefully, this win will be a big help towards that goal."

He knew he was on the right track when he reached the last four of the South of Ireland last year and now he's dreaming of the day he will put on the green blazer of Ireland.

"The Home Internationals are what I'm aiming for but it would be a huge bonus if I could get on the Irish side for the European Team Championship in Holland in July. I'll need a big finish in the Irish amateur but it's something to aim at," he explained.

The Grange has produced a string of talented players over the years, including Paul McGinley, David Sheahan, and the Walker brothers Leslie and David.

Now Ryan can lead a new generation of Grange men to club honours thanks to that youth development programme.

"Terry got a great youth programme going and even organised a corporate day in May last year to raise money," he explained. "It was great to see him at Rosses Point for the semis and the final.

"The money raised went towards paying for us to go for gym work twice a week. Alan Ryan at Terenure College designed a programme specifically for golf and we also have lessons from Wayne Westner, who was a tour professional for many years."

Paul McGinley's brother Michael, Ryan's younger brother David, David Carroll, Simon Cranley, Eoin Barton and Hugh Hanley make up an impressive Senior Cup panel that hopes to win the Blue Riband of Irish golf this term.

"We've a great panel. We've been beaten by Portmarnock in the Leinster final of the Senior Cup for the last two years but hopefully this year we can change that and go all the way," he said.

Happy just to be away from the office, Ryan won't be rushing to join the professional ranks just yet.

He said: "I suppose if I started winnings strokeplay tournaments regularly I'd consider the pro game but for now I'm happy to play all the amateur events.

"I always knew I was going to win one of the amateur 'Majors' and hopefully there will be a few more on the way."

At Rosses Point, he beat Seamus McMonagle, Seamus McParland, Joe Moore, Trevor Spence and Brain McElhinney before seeing off Dowling in the decider.

If Ryan his way, they are many more victims to come.

End
Shorts
(Charl)
You can watch the future superstars of golf at the upcoming AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

Just under 12 months ago South African starlet Charl Schwarzel finished 16 shots behind winner Louis Oosthuizen.

This week he opened with a nine under par 63 to lead the Spanish Open after becoming the youngest winner of a tour card last year at the age of 18.

Eleven members of the Walker Cup squad and 53 overseas players are in the field for the 72 hole Championship, which begins on Friday week.

Red-hot competition is guaranteed with six players off a handicap of plus four, nine off plus three, 33 off plus two and 41 off plus one.

The handicap cut-off mark was a record low, falling at exactly 0.0 with one player balloted out on this mark.

(Doonbeg)

Golf mad locals are getting in on the act at Greg Norman's $25 million Doonbeg links in Clare.

A large proportion of the Doonbeg membership is mainly made up of top US businessmen who paid an entrance fee of $27,500 to join.

The Doonbeg Links Society was formed to give Doonbeg residents and those raised there a chance to enjoy the local course.

And a total of 150 memberships went almost overnight to those born, raised, or living in Doonbeg or the immediate area.

The only catch is that Links Society members may book their tee times no more than 24 hours before play and are limited to 12 guests per year.

(Quiz)

If you are a rules of golf whizz you could end up playing at St Andrews.

Clubs can enter teams for the popular Great Britain and Ireland Rules of Golf Quiz.

The winners of the Irish final will qualify for the grand final at St Andrews just before Christmas and entry forms are available from the GUI Head Office on request at 01/2694111.

(Barry)

Paddock Wood pro Cathal Barry pulled off a memorable double in Dundalk this week.

A former assistant to Hugh Jackson at Donabate, Barry won the Dundalk pro-am for the second year in a row with a fine three under par 69.

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© Brian Keogh 2003

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