Wednesday, April 26, 2017


PAUL O'HARA HEADS 10 SCOTS


QUALIFIERS FOR PGA PRO CHSHIP


By COLIN FARQUHARSON
+Scroll down for the PGA NEWS RELEASE

Paul O'Hara's strong finish of birdies at the par-5 13th and par-4 15th and 18th for 32 home and a round of three-under 68 earned him £500 and top place among the 10 qualifiers at the Titleist and Footjoy PGA Professional Championship Scottish eliminator at Ladybank Golf Club, Fife today.
O'Hara, pictured, finished three shots ahead of Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) who earned £300 from a prizefund of £1,500 for a round of 71 that included a double bogey 5 at the short 12th but compensating birdies at the 11th, long 13th and 15th in halves of 37 and 34.
There was a tie for third place between Fraser Mann (Carnoustie) 36-36, Alan Welsh (Cathkin Braes) 38-34, Jonathan Sharp (Carrick on Loch Lomond) 33-39 and Ross Harrower (Boat of Garten) 34-38.
Harrower ran up a triple bogey 7 at the 14th. Each of those on the 72 mark earned £175.
The remaining four qualifiers: Jonnie Cliff (Murrayfield) and Andrew Cooper (Newmachar) on 73, and Chris Currie (Caldwell) and Scott Wilson (St Andrews Links Golf Academy) on 74 (after countback) did not earn any money but they will join a field of 144 at the £78,000 Titleist and Footjoy PGA Pro Championship Grand Final at Luttrellstown Castle Golf and Country Club, Dublin from June 13-16.
First three prizes there are £10,000, £6,420 and £4,500. Each of the qualifiers who finish from 51st place down are guaranteed £150 each. 

TITLEIST & FOOTJOY PGA PRO CHAMPION SCOTTISH QUALIFIER
Ladybank GC, Fife
QUALIFIERS
Par 71
68 Paul O'Hara (N Lanarkshire Leisure) £500.
71 Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) £300.
72 Fraser Mann (Carnoustie), Alan Welsh (Cathkin Braes), Jonathan Sharp (Carrick on Loch Lomond), Ross Harrower (Boat of Garten) £175 each.
73 Jonnie Cliff (Murrayfield), Andrew Cooper (Newmachar).
74 Chris Currie (Caldwell), Scott Wilson (St Andrews Links Golf Academy).

ALTERNATES
74 G McSporran (Kinross), C McMaster (Downfield).
75 M Hillson (St Andrews for Golf), S McLaren (Blairgowrie), M Loftus (Caldwell).
76 J Carver (Gamola Golf), S Morrison (Tain), N Cameron (Blairgowrie), M Mackenzie (Edzell), S Herald (St Andrews Links GA), I Graham (Crow Wood), R McConnachie (Peterculter).
77 S Milne (Balbirnie Park), R Leeds (Archerfield Links), D Stein (Ranfurly Castle), C Goodwin (Strathlene), N Huguet (Musselburgh).
80 S Clayton (Scottish Golf), C Steven (Strathclyde Park), E Grimes (Carrick on Loch Lomond).
81 A Caira (Niblick 69 Ltd)
82 A McDonald (Dunnikier Park).
84 C Adam (Harburn)
85 L Burnett (Mearns Castle).




O'HARA STEPS UP FROM ASSISTANT RANKS


 WITH IMPRESSIVE WIN


PGA NEWS RELEASE
Coatbridge-based Paul O’Hara made an ideal start to his career as a PGA Professional by booking a ticket to the Republic of Ireland.
O’Hara, representing North Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd, won the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship Scottish qualifying event at Ladybank Golf Club in Fife today.
The victory came just a week after qualifying from the PGA assistant ranks.
O’Hara dominated the event and carded a three-under-par round of 68 to beat Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm Golf Club) into second spot by three shots.
They will join eight other qualifiers for the £78,000 final which is being held at at Luttrellstown Castle Golf Club near Dublin between June 13-16.
O’Hara admitted he got off to a shaky start at Ladybank, collecting a bogey at the third hole with his first birdie coming at the fifth.
In the end, he was the only player to go under par for the 18 holes.
“This is the first time I’ve been able to play in the event. I graduated just last week!” he said.
“It was the first time I’d played the course. It was tough and the wind was swirling. It was hard to trust your club selection.
“The course was fiery and the greens were like lighting. I managed to get three birdies on the back nine and that kept me well clear of having to play off.
“But I felt I’d be able to qualify this time, I’ve been playing well for a while now.
“I’ve just carried on from last year.”
O’Hara has only been with North Lanarkshire Leisure since last July.
“We do a lot of junior coaching and adult lessons - we have an 18- hole course and indoors there’s a golf simulator. It’s a good family set up,” he added.
O’Hara now has his sights set on the Luttrellstown Castle final and is relishing the prospect.
“I’ve played in Ireland as an amateur but never at this venue and I haven’t played an event over there since 2009, so it’ll be great to get over there,” he added.











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