The Monaghan Irish Challenge will tee off when the European Challenge Tour heads to Concra Wood Golf Club this week.
It will be the fourth edition of the Irish Challenge and the first to be held at Concra Wood in Castleblayney, having taken place at Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa and Golf Resort since 2015.
Concra Wood will welcome the rising stars from Europe’s top developmental tour, as well as the next generation of Irish talent, including Ruaidhri McGee, Gavin Moynihan and Cormac Sharvin, to name a few.
McGee claimed the Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Trophy, awarded to the lowest scoring Irishman, at last season’s event and is the leading home-grown player set to tee it up next week. The Irishman recorded two tied fourth results in Italy and Switzerland and heads to Concra Wood with hopes of another top ten result.
Also looking to impress in-front of the home crowd will be Moynihan, who triumphed alongside Paul Dunne at GolfSixes on the European Tour in May. The 25 year old will use that winning experience and his memories from the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation, where he finished tied 14thlast season and a share of 36thin 2016, to excite the fans.
“I’ve played well in Irish Opens on the European Tour but I’m yet to make a cut at a home event on the Challenge Tour, so hopefully that’ll change,” he said. “The last few weeks have been nice, and I’ve been playing well, so I’ll aim to keep that form going on home soil.
“A home event is always great and it’s only an hour from my house, so I’m really looking forward to it. It was at Mount Wolseley for the last three years, so it’s nice to change it up for this year.”
Moynihan will be joined at Concra Wood by fellow 2015 Walker Cup teammate Sharvin, who won his two foursomes matches with Jack McDonald, as Great Britain and Ireland reigned victorious over Team USA, 16 ½ to 9 ½.
Sharvin has recorded two top ten results in his last five Challenge Tour events, setting his sights on a strong finish for the season. With the prospect of lifting the Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Trophy, the 25 year old is hoping for a strong performance in-front of a packed home crowd.
“I met Christy during the first year I played the Irish Challenge,” he said. “I had the chance to meet him and chat with him then, which was really nice. Christy is an Irish golfing hero and it would be really nice to pick up his award at the end of the week, alongside the tournament trophy as well.
“It’s always extra special having an event on home soil. Every event is special in its own way but being from Ireland and playing your home event is always that extra bit special because you’ve got the home support and everyone rooting for you.”
Concra Wood will hope to see Irish fans supporting their home talent when the action tees off from October 4-7, as the golf club celebrates its tenth anniversary.
