GOLF:Sports Minister congratulate our local amateur golfers

Sports Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, has congratulated Alan Dunbar and Stephanie Meadow who completed a Portrush double by winning the men’s and women’s British Amateur titles.

By The Newsroom

Published 13th Jul 2012, 08:00 BST

Rathmore’s Alan Dunbar beat Austrian Matthias Shwab on the final hole to lift the men’s title at Troon on 23 June. His success was followed up by Royal Portrush player Stephanie Meadow who beat Spain’s Rocio Sanches Lobato 4&3 at Carnoustie.

The Sports Minister said: “Once again Irish golfers have shown that they can compete with the world’s best both in the amateur game and at professional level.

“This has been a hugely successful few days for golf in Ireland with Portrush staging the first Irish Open in the north since 1953.

“I believe the enthusiasm shown by both the players and the sell out crowds over the four days of the event has demonstrated that further tournaments can be staged here in future years and that serious consideration should be given to The Open coming here in the near future.”