Hoey And Mcdowell Back Challenge Ireland

By Author: Sarfaraz Khan
Total Articles: 25
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European Tour champions and former Walker Cup team-mates Michael Hoey and Graeme McDowell have backed the Challenge of Ireland which will be played at the Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort in Ireland in June.

Ryder Cup player McDowell, who uses Stuburt shoes, has four European Tour titles to his name while former Amateur champion Hoey, who made his long-awaited breakthrough at the Estoril Open de Portugal at the start of the month when he broke Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano's unbeaten play-off record to take the Pound 208,330 first prize.

Both believe the Challenge of Ireland in Kildare from June 11 to 14 will enhance the reputation of Irish golf and on a course designed by European Tour champion Darren Clarke.

When he was junior his choice for junior golf equipment was great. "As an Irishman, the Challenge of Ireland was always the first event I looked for when the schedule was published, and it was probably the one I wanted to win the most," said Hoey, who uses Titleist 2-Blend Forged irons, Titleist Vokey-200 Series wedges and a Titleist ...
... Scotty Cameron Studio Select putter.

"Unfortunately I didn't manage it - in fact, I never seemed to play that well! Maybe I put too much pressure on myself, because I was so desperate to play well.

"But with so much Irish talent in the field this year, hopefully we can finally get a home winner. I've heard great things about the course at Moyvalley, so they should be in for a really good week."

At junior level he was also very good player and used quality junior golf sets. McDowell said: "I've always been more than forthcoming in my support for the Challenge Tour, as I'm a big believer in the important role it plays in the development of the main Tour. There is no doubt that the Challenge Tour provides the ideal platform for aspiring young professionals to hone their skills and gain the necessary experience to graduate to the upper echelons of world golf, so I'm delighted to lend my support to this event.

"From a personal point of view, I recognise the importance of Ireland continuing to host an event on the Challenge Tour Schedule, as it provides young Irish players with the opportunity to compete not only in their own event at home, but also the chance to seek invitations to play in other Challenge Tour events across the world.

"Through these playing opportunities, young up-and-coming players can gain invaluable experience and attempt to gain full status on the Challenge Tour for the following season, whilst more seasoned players can use them as stepping stones in their quest to progress onto the main Tour."