MGA confirm low amateur from The Masters, Stewart Hagestad, will play
Corrib Oil on-board as sponsors
Three of Ireland’s six Walker Cup panelists have been named in the GUI team for the biennial match against the Metropolitan Golf Association of New York for the Carey Cup, which takes place at Galway Bay Golf Resort from 17-18 May.
Corrib Oil, who have strong connections on both sides of the Atlantic, have come on-board as the main sponsor of the event, which will be preceded by an Am/Am on Tuesday 16 May.
The GUI team boasts a mix of experience and youth alike with Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint) the eldest member. The Ulsterman captured the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin in 2016 and is a three-time winner with Ireland in the Home Internationals. He also was a member of the winning GUI team in the last staging of the Carey Cup in 2015.
Irish Close Champion Alex Gleeson (Castle) was also on the winning team last time out and he joins Campbell as one of the most experienced members of the team.
Naas Golf Club in County Kildare boasts two members of the GUI team, the Nassau Invitational winner from 2016 Conor O’Rourke and the 2016 West of Ireland Champion Jonathan Yates.
Kevin LeBlanc (The Island) who is on the Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarship Scheme at Maynooth University and was the Junior Open Champion in 2014 will make his second appearance for Ireland after he debuted last month in Spain at the European Nations Trophy.
Making his senior debut is 16-year old Mark Power from Kilkenny. Winner of the Peter McEvoy Trophy in 2016, the teenager is also the current Irish Boys Champion.
The GUI team will be captained by Tony Goode (Lucan),
Speaking at the announcement, GUI Chief Executive Pat Finn said: “I am delighted to have such wonderful support from Corrib Oil for the Carey Cup matches at Galway Bay next month. I believe that with support like this from the business community, together we can secure a bright future for the Carey Cup.
I must also express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to Chauncey Durkin and Frank McCann who have played a major role in bringing these matches to fruition. They have worked tirelessly behind the scenes in New York to generate support from the Irish-American business community and without their efforts we would not be in a position to continue these great matches.”
Ronan Killeen, Managing Director of Galway Bay Golf Resort said; “We are delighted to be hosting the 2017 Carey Cup. This match between the best amateurs from the GUI against The MGA of New York selection offers us an opportunity to showcase the wonderful Christy O’ Connor Junior designed golf course that is fast becoming one of the finest courses in Ireland.
“With previous GUI players such as Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Shane Lowry and Paul Dunne, I am sure that this year’s event will host some more future stars of world golf. Along with our General Manager Barry Phelan and his team, we are looking forward to hosting and looking after the golfers and supporters next month when two teams battle it out for the prestigious Carey Cup”
SCHEDULE FOR CAREY CUP MATCHES
Tuesday 16th May
Am-Am Tournament, 11.30am Shotgun Start
Wednesday 17th May
Governor Hugh L Carey Challenge Trophy – Morning Foursomes, first tee 8am-9am; Afternoon Four-Balls, first tee 12.30pm-2pm
Thursday 18th May
Governor Hugh L Carey Challenge Trophy – Final Round of Singles, first tee 8am-9.30am
Times are subject to change, please check www.golfnet.ie for live scoring and further detail.
GUI TEAM
Colm Campbell, 29, of Warrenpoint GC, Co Down. Irish Amateur Open Champion 2016; East of Ireland Champion 2014; Three-time winner with Ireland at Home Internationals; Member of winning GUI team at 2015 Carey Cup.
Alex Gleeson, 23, of Castle GC, Dublin 14. Irish Amateur Close Champion 2016; Irish Youths Champion 2015; Winner, 2015 Boyd Quaich Memorial Tournament; Member of winning GUI team at 2015 Carey Cup; Two-time winner with Ireland at Home Internationals.
Conor O’Rourke, 26 of Naas GC, Co Kildare. St Andrews Links Trophy Champion 2016; Winner, Nassau Invitational, 2016; Winner with Ireland at 2016 Home Internationals.
Jonathan Yates, 23, of Naas GC, Co Kildare. West of Ireland Champion 2015; Midlands Scratch Cup Champion 2015; Runner-up, 2015 Boyd Quaich Memorial Tournament
Mark Power, 16, of Kilkenny GC, Co Kilkenny. Peter McEvoy Trophy Winner 2016; Irish Boys (U18) Champion 2016; Represented Great Britain & Ireland, Jacques Leglise Trophy 2016
Kevin Le Blanc, 19, of The Island GC, Co Dublin. Junior Open Champion 2014; Represented Great Britain & Ireland, Jacques Leglise Trophy 2016
MGA TEAM
Tyler Cline, 23, of The Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo Park, N.Y. First appearance on an MGA international team; 2016 MGA Player of the Year Honor Roll. He played collegiate golf at Clarkson University.
Darin Goldstein, 35, of Noyac Golf Club in Sag Harbor, N.Y. Two-time competitor on MGA international teams; 2016 LIGA Amateur champion; advanced to match play in 2016 U.S. Mid-Amateur.
Stewart Hagestad, 26 of Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y. Two-time competitor on MGA international teams; 2016 MGA Player of the Year; 2016 Met Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur champion; low amateur, 2017 Masters Tournament.
Brian Komline, 43, of Black Oak Golf Club in Long Valley, N.J. Six-time competitor on MGA international teams; 2016 Bergen County Amateur champion; 2016 MGA Mid-Am runner-up.
Ethan Ng, 17, of Fiddler's Elbow in Bedminster, N.J. First appearance on an MGA Carey Cup team; member of the 2016 MGA/WMGA French-American Challenge Cup Matches team; 2016 Carter Cup champion; runner-up, 2016 Met Amateur.
Trevor Randolph, 44, of Arcola Country Club in Paramus, N.J. Three-time competitor on MGA international teams; 2015 and 2016 MGA Mid-Am champion; three-time NJSGA Mid-Am champion; also won 2016 Hochster Memorial and Travis Invitational.
