Wins for Damien Mooney and Richard Kilpatrick on PGA in Ireland circuit

Damien Mooney

Damien Mooney (Nevada Bob’s Belfast) returned to the winner’s circle at the Synergy Golf St Margaret’s Pro-Am.

It’s been a quiet summer by Mooney’s normal high standards but there are signs that he could be finding some form at the business end of the season.

The 48-year-old made a relatively sedate start to his round and was one over after six holes but he then clicked into gear collecting four birdies and an eagle over the final 12 holes to edge out David Higgins (Waterville) by a shot.

“I got the best of the weather conditions and finished strongly,” said Damien who fired a six-iron from 207 yards into two feet at the par five 16^th to record his eagle.

“I went for a lesson or two with Noel Fox and I feel like I have been playing a bit better lately.”

Higgins, the current Order of Merit leader, carded six birdies in total but dropped shots at the first and fourth let him down. He will however edge further clear of second placed Damien McGrane who finished in a tie for 10^th.

Edmondstown’s Andy Hogan and amateur partners, James Lawless, Brian Tyrell and John Higgins collected the team prize with a superb total of 98 points.

Richard Kilpatrick

Richard Kilpatrick carded a five under par 66 to edge out Tim Rice (Limerick GC) at the Roganstown Golf Hotel Pro-Am supporting the Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

The Banbridge GC man recorded his last victory back in July at Ballyliffin and was delighted with the win at Roganstown with one eye already on the Irish PGA Championship at Moyvalley (Sept 22-25).

“I played well at the last couple of events without scoring well so it was good to get over the line,” said Richard.

“I’m looking forward to Moyvalley now. It’s a course that should suit me, it’s long and generous off the tee. I played there back in 2009 on the Challenge Tour.”

With a shot gun start in operation, Kilpatrick began his round with a par at the third and then collected back to back birdies at the fourth and fifth [both par fives].

He added another birdie at the 10^th, dropped a shot at the par four 13^th but responded immediately at the 14^th with a birdie to get back to three under for his round.

He rattled off four pars in a row at the 15^th, 16^th, 17^th and 18^th before closing out his round with two more birdies at the first and second.

Rice, who is still searching for his first win on the PGA in Ireland circuit in 2016, finished alone in second on four under par with Damien McGrane in third on three under par.

Mullingar’s James Quinlivan and amateur partners John Carolan, Oisin Kelly and Nigel Woods collected the team prize with 91 points.

Roganstown Golf Hotel Pro-Am supporting the Crumlin Children’s Hospital scores

Synergy Golf St Margaret’s Pro-Am scores

Tags: Andy Hogan, Banbridge GC, Damien McGrane, Damien Mooney, David Higgins, James Quinlivan, Limerick GC, Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort, Nevada Bobs NI, Noel Fox, Richard Kilpatrick, Roganstown GC, St Margaret's, Tim Rice, Waterville