TOP GONG FOR DUNNE
PAUL DUNNE capped a stellar 2017 last night when recognised as the ‘Professional of the Year’ by the Irish Golf Writers’ Association.
Dunne eclipsed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington to lift the award for the first time.
The 25-year-old from Greystones jumped from 275th in the world rankings up to 76th during a year which included five top-10 finishes, and victory in the British Masters where he closed with a stunning 61.
Dunne finished 16th in the Race to Dubai standings with prize money of €1.7m.
Leona Maguire, the world’s top ranked amateur player, earned the ‘Women’s Amateur of the Year’ award after a season capped by success in the British Ladies Amateur Championship in Wales.
The 23-year-old from County Cavan also won five times on the US collegiate circuit.
Paul McBride of The Island scooped the leading amateur award after he reached the quarter-finals of the British Amateur and was the only Irish player on the Walker Cup team.
THE Puerto Rico Open won’t be played next year because of the damage from Hurricane Maria. It will be replaced by an unofficial PGA Tour event for players, other athletes and celebrities to help with recovery work.
DOONBEG GC, owned by U.S. President Donald Trump, yesterday got the green light to build a large sea wall at its golf course in the west of Ireland that environmental groups say could damage protected wildlife habitats.