Young Ashbourne golfers forge links with iconic St Andrew’s

A GROUP of young golfers from the world renowned St Andrew's Golf Club in Scotland visited Ashbourne last week to compete against young local golfers.

The visit by the group from the home of golf was organised by Ashbourne native, Fintan Bonner, who is senior instructor at the St Andrews Club.

The visiting group were eight students of the St Leonard's School, which is attached to the famous links course of St Andrew’s. The eight ranged in age from 13 to 17 and played off handicaps of plus two to under 10.

Students flock to St Leonard's from all over the world and the group that visited Ashbourne included an American, four Germans, two Scottish players and one from Czechia and consisted of two girls and four boys.

The visiting time was managed by Fintan Bonner and Jamie Penny Cooke, while the Ashbourne team was managed by Steven Ronan and Frank Bodkin. The visitors stayed in the Pillo Hotel and played a tournament over two days against Ashbourne's top juvenile golfers.

"They played a practice round on the Friday and then over the following two days they played for the Ashbourne/St Leonard's Trophy," said Martin Farrell, President of Ashbourne Golf Club.

"Some of their parents travelled with them and a lot of our members turned out to watch. They were in awe at some of the golf played by these young golfers.

"The home team having the advantage of knowing the course won the tournament."

Mr Farrell said that this year’s visit followed on from a visit by junior players from Ashbourne to St Andrew's last year, where the St Leonard's group won the tournament.

Fintan Bonner, a son of Cllr Joe Bonner, was a former member of Ashbourne Golf Club before becoming a professional golfer. He was a senior professional for a time at Black Bush Golf Cub, then later at a club in London, before moving to St Andrews, where he is now senior instructor. He was one of the speakers at a formal dinner for the visitors on the Saturday night, where the main speaker was his dad, Cllr Bonner and where Martin Farrell welcomed the visitors.

"We in Ashbourne were so fortunate to receive the invitation to visit St Andrew's last year and to be able to host you this year." Mr Farrell said.

Both groups and their mentors enjoyed a karoake evening on their final night with many of the young players putting on fine performances.

Ashbourne Golf Club celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.