St Louis to open Ireland’s first school golf academy

ST. Louis is to open the first school golf academy in Ireland.

The announcement was made by Ryder Cup vice-captain Des Smyth at the presentation of prizes for the secondary school’s golf classic at the Dundalk club.

The academy will operate under the direction of Deirdre Smith, past Irish champion and international representative from 1999-2012.

Some of the money raised from the classic will be used to help get the academy off the ground.

It is hoped that this will help to grow the game among young girls in the north-east.

Under Deirdre’s guidance, it is planned to introduce young girls to the wonderful game, and offer them the many delights of the sport.

Many young people, particularly girls, never get the opportunity to play golf.

It is hoped to develop a ‘short game area’ at first and to enhance the facilities on an annual basis. The intention is to use the services of a PGA professional to provide instruction.

Forty-seven teams representing 35 different clubs participated in the golf classic, played in great conditions.

A team of four locals took first prize with a wonderful score of 94 points - Brian Mernagh, Niall McCaul, Tommy Renaghan and John Daly.

During the early part of the evening, the participants were entertained beautifully by pianist, Andrew Boylan from Carrickmacross. He can be heard every Friday night in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.

A total of ten prizes was presented by Des Smyth, and there followed an auction conducted by Joanne Lavelle.

Deirdre presented Des with a remarkable painting of himself, as man and boy, specially commissioned by Lucy Tormey.

Lucy, a visual artist based in the midlands, was the event artist for the Solheim Cup in Killeen Castle in 2011, and has that role again for the Curtis Cup this year in Dun Laoghaire golf club.