Damien McGrane is already relishing the prospect of teeing up in next month’s Irish Open at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort after capturing his maiden European Tour title in the Volvo China Open on Sunday.
The 37 year old from County Meath is sure to receive a hero’s welcome when he travels down to Limerick and tees up in his National Open from May 15-18 as a European Tour champion.
Twelve months ago Padraig Harrington ended the 25 year wait for a home winner of The Irish Open and since that momentous victory, Irish golf fans have had plenty to celebrate.
Harrington, of course, went on to win The Open Championship at Carnoustie while Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and McGrane have both continued Ireland’s fine form recently, winning the Ballantine’s Championship and Volvo China Open respectively.
McGrane said: “It was important for all the Irish players that Padraig won The Irish Open, and to win The Open was like a fairytale, but Padraig’s win in The Irish Open, for all of us, was important and we have all taken something from that.”
“I am very much looking forward to The Irish Open now having won my first title,” he added. “There is always a buzz for the Irish players. It is a very exciting event and now we don’t have the European Open anymore all our focus is going to go into one Irish European Tour event.
“Adare Manor is a great venue, great for the players, great for myself as I will have family and friends with me and it is always a good week. It is like a festival for us in Ireland as we are all golf supporters and now that Graeme McDowell is playing well and has won recently, Padraig, as always, and myself, there are so many of us playing well we are all looking forward to The Irish Open this year. Hopefully the weather will be on our side and we should have a great week.”
McGrane can expect plenty of support from the Irish golfing public, who like nothing better than to cheer their own home.
“The fans deserve success as they support us religiously,” he continued. “It is all about the fans and the supporters. If we can keep them happy, they will give us support day and night, week in week out and when the game is not treating us so well. What we do is for them.
“I am tremendously proud that I have won the Volvo China Open for all the support from family and friends who have looked after me and been there for me for a long time now.”
The 2008 Irish Open is being supported by Proud Partners Failte Ireland, McNamara, McInerney and Road Bridge as well as Official Sponsors Audi, Limerick County Council, Shannon Development and Rolex.
Throughout April, advance tickets for The 2008 Irish Open are available at a 20 per cent discount, with Daily Tickets reduced from €25 to €20, and Season Ticket prices cut from €75 to €60. Junior fans aged 16 or under accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge throughout the tournament week. Full details of tickets and corporate hospitality are available onwww.irishopen.ieor by contacting +353 (0) 61 605250.
For further information on Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort contact: +353 61 605200 or visitwww.adaremanor.com
