South of Ireland champion Justin Kehoe is facing a two-year battle to make the Walker Cup team.

The Birr golfer was as surprise omission from Garth McGimpsey's first Great Britain and Ireland squad earlier this month. But he's determined to join Ireland pals Gavin McNeill, Noel Fox, Colm Moriarty and Graeme McDowell in the elite squad and emulate local hero Richie Coughlan.

He said: "Richie is a guy I look up to. To make the US Tour is amazing and I'd love to follow him and play in the Walker Cup too.

"He even went to the trouble of sending me a card after I won the South of Ireland championship last summer."

Kehoe (22) has been a full time golfer since he graduated from UCD with a degree in Commerce and French last year. And he plans to give the game another two years before deciding on a future in the professional ranks.

He said: "I was a little disappointed not to make the Walker Cup training panel but I still have two years to get there. "Deep down I wasn't really expecting to make it this time because I played poorly in the Home Internationals but hopefully I'll have a chance to put that right."

Kehoe hopes gain valuable experience by playing in all the major International amateur strokeplay events this year.

"I need to play in as many high pressure, elite events as I can and so I'll play all the major championships in Britain and the continent this year.

"The Walker Cup is still two years away but it would be such an amazing achievement to get on the team.

"I'm thinking of turning professional if I am good enough and making the Walker Cup side would be a good yardstick.

"But it's not the end of the world if I don't make it. Guys have played on the team and disappeared so I just want to give myself two years playing fulltime golf to see how far I can go."

An Ireland international since 2000, Kehoe helped UCD to their first national pennant when they beat City of Derry in the Barton Shield final at Newlands last September.

But his big breakthrough came in June when he thrashed Stephen Browne in the final of the South of Ireland championship.

Now Kehoe has his sights set on following Browne into the paid ranks. Based in Shinrone, just eight miles outside Birr town, Kehoe cycles forty miles a week and works out every day as he prepares for his biggest season ever.

Just back from an Ireland squad session in South Africa, Kehoe hopes to play in the Portuguese Amateur championship in two week's time before the first domestic championship - the West of Ireland at Rosses Point.

"I've been playing since I was six and golf is something I just love. If I can make it over the next couple of years it will be fantastic. Playing golf full time is hard work but there's nothing better. Let's just see what happens."

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Darren Clarke can't wait to return to the site of his biggest victory. The 2002 Accenture Match Play Championship will be held at La Costa in Carlsbad, California next week.

"Winning the Accenture Match Play Championship was the biggest milestone in my career," Clarke said of his 4-and-3 victory over Tiger Woods in 2000.

"To come out on top of the best 64 players in the world, and beating Tiger Woods over 36 holes in the final was really something special.

"I'm looking forward to going back to La Costa and doing the double," added Clarke. "It's a first-class golf course, and it's one of the biggest events in the world game.

"The great thing about all the World Golf Championships events is that they virtually guarantee that the best players in the world will be taking part. I love match play, and who knows, it might be my year again."

The draw for the championship will be made on Monday when the World Golf rankings are published.

Depending on what happens in the LA Open this weekend, Clarke could face former Open champion Paul Lawrie in the opening round with Paul McGinley set to play Argentine Angel Cabrera and Padraig Harrington due to meet American Matt Gogel.

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Colin Montgomerie's candidacy for the Ryder Cup captaincy at the K Club is gathering momentum.

With back problems threatening his playing career Monty may be looking for a non-playing role in the near future.

And what better platform that the Ryder Cup match at Straffan in 2006.

Said Monty this week: "Now that Ireland has got the Ryder Cup, we have got to think about winning the Ryder Cup in Ireland, not just compete.

"We have to select the best captain and if it's me, well I'll do my utmost to try and win that Ryder Cup for Europe and for Ireland."

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Tiger Woods isn't expected to cough up the 30,000 euro rent for a secluded lodge at Mount Juliet in September.

Woods will stay in one of the 50 luxury homes dotted around the 1500-acre estate, courtesy of the sponsors. But corporate visitors to the $5 million American Express World Golf Championship won't be so lucky.

A luxury suite for 30 guests - which includes meals, a free bar and grandstand views of the 18th will set you back ¤64,000 for all four days. VAT is not included!

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Cecil Whelan and the Links Golfing Society have planned another fantastic season for charity. With the help of sponsors, professional golfers and celebrities the Society raises thousands for good causes all over Ireland. Eddie Jordan (May 6, the K Club), Christy O'Connor Snr (May 24, the K Club) Des Smyth (July 1, Royal Dublin), Joe Dolan (August 19, Powerscourt) and Pat Kenny (September 9, Powerscourt) will all do their bit for the underprivileged later this year.

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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