McMonagle finishes top of the class

Ireland's Ciaran McMonagle got his season off the ideal start by finishing joint winner of the of the PGA Europro Final Qualifying School at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire last week.

The former Irish international and Irish Close champion finished at the summit of the 240-strong field alongside England's David Porter on seven under. Although Porter was presented with the trophy for a better back 18 (70), McMonagle's rounds of 69, 70 and 71 earned the Dunfanaghy professional his share of the top cheque (£2,200).

"It was nice to get back competing again after not playing as much last year," enthused McMonagle. "I put a lot of work into my game over the winter with my coach Simon Byrne at the Hermitage. Having made some swing changes it was satisfying to see it all come together.

"I played very steady over the three days and am now looking forward to the new season which starts in two weeks time in Norfolk."

It was also a good week for former Walker Cup player Noel Fox and prolific winner on the Irish PGA circuit, Damian Mooney, who both shared sixth spot on five under. Belvoir Park's Peter Martin finished a creditable tied 11th on two under.

Fox, who played out of Portmarnock during his amateur days, has struggled to make headway since joining the paid ranks two years ago. However, having earned a top category ranking on the Europro Tour, the 31-year-old now has a platform on which to build his professional career.

The Europro Tour is considered a third tier tour behind the bright lights of the European Tour and the Challenge Tour and is where a lot of aspiring players from these parts attempt to cut their teeth in the professional game. There are 20 events on the 2006 schedule and generally the top five on the order of merit gain cards to the Challenge Tour.

A total of 15 Irish players competed at the qualifying school; including the likes of North West's Michael McGeady and Limerick's Tim Rice, who was Europro order of merit runner-up in 2004 after two wins that year. McGeady finished just inside the top quarter (tied 59th) on three over but it was
a disappointing week for Rice as the 28-year-old failed to make the cut into the third and final round after shooting a pair of 78s.