European
Tour champions and former Walker Cup team-mates Michael Hoey and Graeme
McDowell have backed the Challenge of Ireland which will be played at the
Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort in
Ryder Cup player McDowell, who uses Stuburt shoes, has four European Tour
titles to his name while former Amateur champion Hoey, who made his
long-awaited breakthrough at the Estoril Open de Portugal at the start of the
month when he broke Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano’s unbeaten play-off
record to take the Pound 208,330 first prize.
Both believe the Challenge of Ireland in Kildare from June 11 to 14 will
enhance the reputation of Irish golf and on a course designed by European Tour
champion Darren Clarke.
When
he was junior his choice for junior golf equipment was great.
“As an Irishman, the Challenge of Ireland was always the first event I
looked for when the schedule was published, and it was probably the one I
wanted to win the most,” said Hoey, who uses Titleist 2-Blend Forged
irons, Titleist Vokey-200 Series wedges and a Titleist Scotty Cameron Studio
Select putter.
“Unfortunately I didn’t manage it – in fact, I never seemed to play that
well! Maybe I put too much pressure on myself, because I was so desperate to
play well.
“But with so much Irish talent in the field this year, hopefully we can
finally get a home winner. I’ve heard great things about the course at
Moyvalley, so they should be in for a really good week.”
At
junior level he was also very good player and used quality junior golf sets.
McDowell said: “I’ve always been more than forthcoming in my support for
the Challenge Tour, as I’m a big believer in the important role it plays in the
development of the main Tour. There is no doubt that the Challenge Tour
provides the ideal platform for aspiring young professionals to hone their
skills and gain the necessary experience to graduate to the upper echelons of
world golf, so I’m delighted to lend my support to this event.
“From a personal point of view, I recognise the importance of
continuing to host an event on the Challenge Tour Schedule, as it provides
young Irish players with the opportunity to compete not only in their own event
at home, but also the chance to seek invitations to play in other Challenge
Tour events across the world.
“Through these playing opportunities, young up-and-coming players can gain
invaluable experience and attempt to gain full status on the Challenge Tour for
the following season, whilst more seasoned players can use them as stepping
stones in their quest to progress onto the main Tour.”
