SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR DIARMAID
MILLSTREET GOLFER HAS GOT HIS BREAK INTO THE PROFESSIONAL RANKS
THE sky is the limit for young Millstreet golfer Diarmaid Fraser, who has recently got his break in the professional ranks.
From picking up his first golf club aged six to setting his sights on America, the last 14 years have been a tough but wonderful journey. Diarmaid (20) has just completed his first year in Professional Golf Studies in conjunction with the University of Birmingham and Killarney Golf Club.
Motivation has never been an issue for the Millstreet man, who hails from Claratlea, who has had his eyes set on this career path since he was a teenager.
“When I was 16 I had a meeting with the head professional in Killarney, David Keating. He advised me that if I wanted to go down this road I have to have a huge passion for golf because I will be surrounded by it 24/7. I knew this wasn’t going to be an issue for me anyway,” Diarmaid told The Corkman.
Golf has always had a major part to play in the Fraser household with dad Barry having a keen interest in the sport. This interest quickly passed onto Diarmaid and his three brothers Ronan, Kieran and Colum as well as his sister, Aoife. All have a passion for the sport and have played out of Killarney Golf Club.
From his first time picking up “plastic clubs in Millstreet Pitch and Putt course” at the age of six to captaining his club to the Kerry Junior League title in 2012, Diarmaid has enjoyed vast success in his days as a juvenile golfer. He has picked up countless wins in his home club as well as individual titles in the Kerry Junior League.
The Kerry Junior League is a fantastic facility for junior golfers around Kerry, where they get the opportunity to compete against other clubs on a tour of the best courses in the county, including the famed courses of Ballybunion and Waterville.
He gives massive credit to this competition. “The Kerry Junior League had a huge bearing on my game. It really improved me as a golfer because I got the opportunity to play all different courses,” he said.
Equally, during his junior days he was also a member of Kanturk Golf Club for periods.
Success in the juvenile ranks also came in the famous Fred Daly Matchplay tournament. Diarmaid represented his club for many years in this tournament and competed at a very high level. His highlight was reaching the Munster Final in 2010, when he was playing off a handicap of 10.
Killarney’s newest assistant PGA professional is currently a student of the University of Birmingham, where he is studying Professional Golf Studies. This is a three year course and meeting the requirements was a tough process.
“To apply for this course you have to have a handicap of four or lower. A person also has to pass a playing ability test where you have to shoot 13 over par or better over two rounds,” said Diarmaid. He competed in this playing ability test in Dundalk, County Louth.
For his three year stint with the University of Birmingham, he does his college work through distance learning and uses study software on his computer, on a site called ‘canvas’.
“This is the site where I download all my notes and submit my assignments. I have to submit four to five assignments throughout the winter and then do exams in April. I also have to compete in seven competitive rounds in that year,” he said
Much of the Duhallow man’s success is credited to Killarney head professional, David Keating.
“One of the requirements to get into this course is that a golf club has to give you a contract. David Keating gave me this he also gave me lessons every two weeks when I was in the process of turning professional. He was able to use brilliant technology like ‘Track Man’ to help my game,” he said.
He also credits other professionals attached to Killarney Golf Club such as Billy O’Boyle, Dan Sugrue and Ian Colleran. Focusing on the future is very much on the forefront of his mind. While he dreams of a move to the States, he is still very much down to earth and focused on his college work.
“Firstly I want to pass every college year and get my degree. Eventually I would like to get some experience in the States and work in the top golf clubs in Florida,” said Diarmaid.
He is currently working on his game and hoping to finish as high as possible on the Irish Assistants Order of Merit as well as pushing for a top 10 finish in the Irish PGA Assistants Championship.
Watch this space.