Buncrana teen Jack to play at
Pinehurst
11.07.14
by
Linda McGrory
A YOUNG Buncrana golf sensation has won a dream
qualification to play at Pinehurst, North Carolina -
scene of last month’s tough US Open. |
Six-handicapper Jack Duffy
has qualified for the world's biggest junior golf
tournament - the US Kids Golf World Championship 2014.
A member of Buncrana Golf Club, the youngster was
invited to play in the 13s age category of the
competition after a top-four finish in the US Kids Golf
European Championship in Scotland. And the trip will
also be a great present for Jack, who celebrates his
13th birthday tomorrow.
Jack's caddie in the recent Scottish competition was his
grandfather, Mickey McCann (69), from Burnfoot, who
began teaching the youngster to play the game when he
was just a toddler.
"Daddy gave Jack a wee plastic club when he was about
three and he used to hit that about their back garden
all the time," said Jack's mum Michelle (42) who is also
a keen golfer and lady secretary at the 'lower links'.
"Daddy then started taking him out on the golf course
when he was about seven. He used to tie Jack's wee golf
bag on to his own big bag and away they would go," she
laughed. |
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|
Jack in action at the US Kids Golf
European Championship in Scotland. |
Members of the nine-hole
Buncrana links club have been busy fundraising in recent
weeks to help pay for his trip-of-a-lifetime. Michelle
said she can't thank them all enough.
"The support in Buncrana and around the area is
outstanding," she said. |
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Michelle also thanked her
brother Joseph who helped raise money for his nephew's
trip, with a fundraiser at his golf club in Chicago.
Soccer fan Jack, who ranks Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy
among his favourite golfers, is getting in plenty of
practise and coaching ahead of his trip to Pinehurst,
where German pro Martin Kaymer lifted the US Open title
last month.
The Inishowen boy will join other talented young golfers
from the island of Ireland and 35 other nations for the
July 24-26 tournament. Also cheering him on from
Buncrana will be his father, Patrick, who runs the
garage at Lisfannon, and his sister Nicole (10).
Buncrana Golf Club manager, Francis McGrory, said he had
never seen a young player demonstrate so much flair and
dedication to the game.
"Jack has a great natural golfing ability and the
potential he has is tremendous. He is a fantastic
ambassador for the Buncrana Golf Club and town of
Buncrana and everyone wishes him all the best for his
trip to Pinehurst," he said.
Meanwhile, Jack, who has aspirations to become a
professional player, hopes his strong short game will
help him go a long way in North Carolina.
"My favourite part of golf is iron play and chipping and
putting. I'm really excited about going to America," he
said. |
|
Jack Duffy pictured with his grandfather
Mickey McCann. |
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