Dozens of budding stars will head to first stage of European Tour School next month. Just don't go looking for Ashbourne's John Dwyer.

Currently the number one club pro in Ireland, Dwyer showed his class with a stellar performance in the Smurfit European Open European Open at the K Club in July.

But he has no interest in the grind of the European Tour despite the possible rewards. In fact, he can't wait to put away his clubs

"I do wonder sometimes how far I could go, but I don't have the hunger. To be honest I can't wait for the end of September to come so that I can pack the clubs up play a little social golf," he said this week.

"I've been playing really well but the life doesn't appeal to me. I've played in four tour events this year, including the PGA championship at Wentworth, and enjoyed them.

"But the thought of having to pack up your bags and go on to event after event just doesn't appeal to me."

Dwyer was second behind Ryder Cup debutant Paul McGinley in the Smurfit Irish PGA at Westport and then hit the headlines when he opened with a sparkling 69 to match superstars Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie at the K Club in the Smurfit European Open.

But despite his obvious talent, the 28 year old is happy to give lessons, play in pro-ams and sell golf clubs at Ashbourne.

He admitted: "The temptation is there and I am having my best season to date - top of the order of merit.

"And yes, you sometimes feel that maybe you should be going to the Qualifying School. But getting up at two or three the morning to get flights just doesn't appeal to me. I enjoy it too much here at the club - the mix of teaching, running the shop and playing on the Irish circuit."

Dwyer comes from a sporting family where horses took a front seat over golf. His brother Mark won the Cheltenham Gold Cup TWICE - on Forgive and Forget in 1985 and on Jodami in 1993.

Dwyer himself even rode in a few 'flapper' meetings before golf took hold.

The youngest of four brothers and three sisters, he started 10 years ago through the PGA training system.

It took him four years to qualify but he is relieved that he doesn't have to do it all again.

"The PGA assistant's course wasn't that tough when I did it. But there are so many subjects now - teaching, club repair, bookkeeping, merchandising, retailing, the rules of golf and sports science.

"Sports science is a massive subject that covers everything from the biomechanics and the diet to teaching golf in depth. It's a subject I wouldn't have done but you have to keep up to date - if you don't keep up your assistant could become more qualified that you are!"

Only the awful weather and the cancellation of the final round denied him the chance to take on McGinley in the Smurfit Irish Professional Championship at Westport.

It was an excellent opportunity missed but Dwyer is not too worried about what might have been.

"You don't get into position to win that tournament too often," he admitted. "But anything could have happened that day with the wind blowing balls off greens. It takes the skill aspect out of it."

His win at Royal Dublin in the Spar Moran Cup last Monday was his first of the season after six or seven seconds and three third-place finishes.

"I'm becoming more experienced after six or seven years. I've been working with a sports psychologist in Cork but I don't practice. It doesn't do me good and playing competitivelythree or four days a week helps me to stay sharp. But when you've been away for a few days you just have so much to catch up on in the shop."

As for the droves of top amateurs heading for the professional ranks, Dwyer has his own view.

"Personally speaking, if you want to become a tour player the last thing I would tell you to do is to get associated with the PGA," he said.

"Don't get me wrong. The PGA is about becoming a club professional and looking after other people's needs. But when you are a tour professional you just have to look after number one.

"My only regret is that I joined the PGA straight from school and I never really had an amateur career. Who knows what might have happened."

The heart might tell Dwyer to go for broke in the tour school where he has failed twice in the past. But his head tells him to stay at his shop at the Meath course.

"It's just me. It's what I want. You get the odd thought sometimes when you've been shooting some nice scores. But I know I wouldn't be happy out there and even my business head is telling me that I should be back at the shop."

The Tour players won't be sending out a search party, that's for sure.

(Irish Open)

The Irish Open is set to move to an August date, according to European Tour executive director Ken Schofield.

Currently without a sponsor, the event has been held the week before the Smurfit European Open in recent years.

The venue for next year's event has yet to be announced, but Schofield admitted that Fota Island is a strong candidate along with Druids Glen.

"Moving to an August date frees up Dublin as a possible site," he explained at the Scottish PGA. However, Schofield did not say who would be replacing Murphys as main sponsors.

(Ken)
Crafty Ken Kearney this week celebrated his return to Ireland team for the Home Internationals.

Roscommon man Ken has recently changed jobs ­ moving into golf clothing with Callaway.

But he's also been practicing hard and has reached the final of the Irish Close and the semi-finals of the West this season.

(Major)
Bookies Paddy Power give Dubliner Padraig Harrington a 13/2 chance of winning his first Major in 2003.

Big Darren Clarke is 12/1 to get off the mark.

(Mac)
Great Britain and Ireland captain Garth McGimpsey will get his first outing as skipper in the St Andrews Trophy mach with Continental Europe in Lausanne next weekend.

But the Bangor legend has left out Ireland's three hopefuls ­ Colm Moriarty, Noel Fox and Gavin McNeill.

However, he's likely to include fellow Ulsterman Gareth Maybin when he announces his Walker Cup squad after Christmas.

The 21-year-old Antrim lad is the outstanding prospect in the country at the moment.

(School)
Ireland's candidates at the first stage of the European Tour School will have to fork out a massive £990 (over euro ¤ 1,500) to take part.

Your money will take you through all three stages but with just 20 places at each of the five qualifying courses on offer there are going to be a lot of disappointed golfers when PQ1 finishes on

(Eamonn)

Things are looking up for Dubliner Eamonn Brady on the Europro Tour in the UK.

Brady recently won the Glenmuir Classic with a sensational final round score of 66, his second win of the season.

The Royal Dublin man also won the ISM International at Castletown Golf Links on the Isle of Man in June and is now second in the Order of Merit with over euro ¤ 40,000 from 12 events, guaranteeing him Challenge tour golf next year.

Top

© Brian Keogh 2003

Back