PGA professional John Dwyer - image courtesy of Getty Images. More images from the event are available from www.gettyimages.com
[02 August 2011] Ashbourne Golf Club's John Dwyer reached his second PGA final in as many weeks after clinching a place in the national final of the Lombard Challenge, a PGA pro-captain tournament which is being staged in Turkey. And his round included a hole in one. PGA professional John Dwyer, and his captain Martin Farrell, won the event held at Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club - but only just as three teams tied for top spot.
Dwyer was celebrating another win after qualifying for the third time for the final of the PGA National Pro-am Championship which will be held in Las Vegas later this year. After that victory at The K-Club, Dwyer has another booked date on foreign shores. Dwyer and Farrell shot a six under par round of 66 along with Fota Island Golf Club's Kevin Morris and his captain Peter Cougahan. Headfort Golf Club's Brendan McGovern and captain Paddy Horgan also recorded a 66.
But it was the Ashbourne combination that won a tight finish on countback. And their display earned them a place in the £25,000 final which will be held at PGA Sultan course at Antalya Golf Club from November 25-26. But Dwyer admitted it was an inconsistent round - even though he was delighted with what turned out to be crucial hole in one at the 11th.
He said: "That was the fourth one of my career; I used a seven iron at the 175 yard hole.
"They all seem to have come in competitive events as well.
"But it turned out to be important as we had some real highs and lows out there.
"We were only three under par at the turn. We bogeyed some holes but there was also an eagle at the 16th."
Dwyer admitted he was taking even more of a liking to foreign finals.
He added: "I don't know if I'm getting on a bit, but I enjoy playing with the members and if I can get any
of them along to these finals then I will because I know what a great experience they are.
"It went well, but you always need your captain to play well if you're going to win."
Farrell, who plays off a 15 handicap, added: "John was on fire.
"It's tremendous that the club is in two PGA finals in the same year - that raises our profile and brings a lot of publicity our way.
"John really is a members' man at Ashbourne - he does a lot for them and these victories are payback for that."
ENDS
THE LOMBARD CHALLENGE, a PGA Pro-Captain Tournament Irish Region Qualifier at Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club, Monday 1 August 2011
Qualifiers:
| Pos. | Score | Pro | Captain | Represents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1= | 66 (-6) | John Dwyer | Martin Farrell | Downes Ashbourne |
| Kevin Morris | Peter Cougahan | Fota Island | ||
| Brendan McGovern (Ashbourne win on countback) | Paddy Horgan | Headfort |
Ashbourne club captain Martin Farrell (right) and PGA professional John Dwyer (left) courtesy of Barry Cronin at Getty Images. More images from the event are available from www.gettyimages.com
Full results from the event at Hilton Templepatrick can be found at: http://pgagbi.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/pgagbi11/event/pgagbi11251/contest/1/leaderboard.htm
Visit http://www.pga.info/ProCaptainChallenge.aspx for more information on The Lombard Challenge For further information or alternative images please contact Kelly Lewis at PGA Headquarters on 01675 470 333 or e-mail media@pga.org.uk. Visit www.PGA.info for up to date reports and scores throughout the season from The Lombard Challenge and all PGA tournaments
