All-Ireland champ Chris Taylor-made for golf glory

A YOUNG talented golfer who recently won the All-Ireland Open Matchplay singles is now eyeing up the South of Ireland competition.

Chris Taylor (20) from Woodpark in Lombardstown said winning his recent All Ireland was a “terrific feeling”. He firstly qualified to represent Cork when he beat Adam McClearly of Armagh. Then he beat Stephen Melly of Donegal and Liam Walsh of Roscommon to qualify for the semi-final.

There he took on Derek Walsh from Kerry and Chris’ final hurdle for glory occurred when he beat John Whelan in the final.

“It’s my biggest win to date and I really was over the moon,” said a beaming Chris.

When asked how he first became interested in golf, he pointed to his father, Mattie and grandmother, Maudie Twomey. Chris joined the club in Kanturk when he was 13 and by the time he was 17 he started taking part in local competitions and with each swing of the ball his passion grew for the sport. Despite being so young and busy in school, he golfed four to five times per week.

Chris is a student at UL and is studying for an Arts degree and he is also on the UL golf team.

When asked what golfers did he really admire, without hesitation, he said Rory Mcllroy. “Well he is an Irish golfer and I have watched him for years and watched him become number one,” he said.