Maynooth University ’s Gary Hurley (2nd Year - Business & Management) will compete in this week’s Irish Open at Fota Island Golf Club, Co. Cork. Hurley is one of four leading Irish amateur golfers to receive an invitation from the Golfing Union of Ireland who receives a number of invites annually from the European Tour.
Gary is the first Paddy Harrington golf scholar to compete at the Irish Open. Interestingly, he will compete against two of the Maynooth University ’s honorary doctorate recipients in Padraig Harrington and current Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley who where both honoured at the launch of the golf scholarship scheme in 2006.
Hurley a current Irish International has been awarded a spot in this year’s field due to string of excellent performances at International amateur events this year. In January, he finished fifteenth at the Patriot All America in Arizona comprising the best collegiate golfers in the United States. In South Africa in the same month, he notched up tied fifth at the Free State & Northern Cape Stroke Play and tied eleventh at South African Amateur Stroke Play. In March, he was part of the Ireland team who finished tied third at European Nations Cup in Spain and captained Maynooth University to a runner-up finish in the Irish Colleges Match play Championship at the Heritage Golf Club where he also took fourth place in the Irish Intervarsity Championship. In April, he reached the semi - finals of the West of Ireland at County Sligo and finished tied 5th at the R&A Foundation Bursary Tournament at St. Andrews where he was defending.
This string of consistent performances resulted in a selection for the Great Britain & Ireland squad for the 2014 St. Andrews Trophy, a biennial match between Great Britain & Ireland and Europe. In May, Gary had his best finish of the year at the prestigious Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham & St. Annes where he finished in fourth place and best of the Irish players. Since finishing his summer examinations, he has continued his good form with third place at the East of Ireland at County Louth and tied fifteenth at the St. Andrews Links Trophy also best placed Irish player.
The University is delighted with this opportunity for Gary and wishes him the greatest success at this week’s Irish Open. Gary is now considered one of Ireland's leading amateur golfers and next September enters his final year on the Paddy Harrington golf scholarship programme at Maynooth University.