Tralee golfer seeking success in Irish Boys’ Amateur Open at Ballybunion

KERRY teenager Mark Gazi is determined to secure victory when the Flogas Irish Boys’ Amateur Open Championship tees off at Ballybunion Golf Club on Wednesday.

Ninety players are set to tee it up with 11 overseas players in a field which includes players from England, Scotland, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Germany.

Gazi was part of the Irish Boys’ Home Internationals team last summer when they defeated England in the final of that R&A event in Lindrick.

The 18-year-old, who is just back from competing at the French Boys in Golf De Courson, is looking to get the better of a few of his Irish teammates in Kerry.

“It would mean a load, especially I remember Irish 16s two years ago in Tipperary. I got beaten by a player in his home county so it would be lovely to win like that in my home county,” Gazi said.

“There will be home fans and family coming to support me. It would be something special to win in my home county.”

Flogas have added this event as part of the three-year extension to their Golf Ireland partnership.

Gazi will make the trip to USA in September where he hopes to study either Business or Finance at Northwestern University in Illinois.

In the meantime, he wants to make the most of season here in Ireland and he believes his game is suited to a course like Ballybunion this week.

“Especially on such a good course like Ballybunion. A links course suits me perfectly coming from Tralee, very similar kind of tee shots and game plan coming into Ballybunion,” said Gazi.

“It should suit me, I will be comfortable around the place. Hopefully it will be a great week for me.”