Success of Irish Golfers on Tour

With a population of less than six million people, Ireland is most certainly over-achieving with regard to the level of success currently being enjoyed by it's touring professionals. Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin have made excellent starts to their 2009 schedules after coming through last year's Challenge Tour. Graeme McDowell is a multiple winner and was a member of the last Ryder Cup Team at Valhalla. Rory McIlroy recently picked up silverware at The Dubai Desert Classic. Darren Clarke has a golfing CV that includes everything but a Major Championship. Padraig Harrington has a great chance of picking up his third consecutive Major at this year's Masters in April. But why does Ireland continue to consistently produce such outstanding golfing talent?

All of the above names have one thing in common, and that is playing amateur golf under the governance of The Golfing Union of Ireland. The opportunities given to golfers at a young age is something other associations should be keen to copy. From early teenage years, they are assisted with free coaching and perhaps most importantly have access to an excellently managed series of competitive events. Both 72 hole and matchplay tournaments are incorporated into Boys, Youths and Senior schedules. The GUI have always looked to provide additional assistance to the younger generation. For example - they designate a number of spots at national amateur championships for boys that have showed promise in other events throughout the season but may not have the necessary handicap to normally join the field.

Another defining factor is the quality of courses that these events are played on. The four regional championships, namely The North, South, East and West are staged at Royal Portrush, Lahinch, Baltray and Rosses Point. I can't imagine any other national association being able to host week-long tournaments on four of it's top rated courses. All the golfers now enjoying success on tour have made their way through the ranks at these events, and all have flourished in or even dominated the amateur scene in Ireland at some point in their careers. Surely it is an advantage to have played under this intense pressure on some of the world's finest courses at such a critical stage in their development. It makes it just that little bit easier to bridge the gulf towards the paid ranks. The strength in depth of these amateur tournaments is growing year on year. A decade ago, anyone entering off a scratch handicap would have been seen as a possible favourite to win the event. At last years Irish Amateur Open, 33 'plus-one' golfers found themselves on the waiting list. Bearing in mind there were 120 competitors on the drawsheet, this is a staggering statistic.

It also seems that there is an immense amount of pride involved in capturing a national amateur title in Ireland. Perhaps in other countries this would be regarded as an individual achievement, but here the award is enjoyed and cherished as a club. The silverware itself is always displayed in the clubhouse trophy cabinet, and photos of the great moment will adorn the walls of the members' bar for future generations. The GUI and its clubs have done an excellent job in conveying the ethos and history of it championships to the younger generation. Could this be one of the reasons why Irish golfers that have reached the pinnacle of the sport, like Harrington, remain humble and thankful for their achievements in the professional game?

I think the trend is set to continue. In a few weeks time, I have a sneaking suspicion that the colour of the Augusta blazer may finally suit the nationality of it's owner.