Dominic Foos was runner-up at last year’s Galgorm Resort & Spa Northern Ireland Challenge hosted by Modest! Golf and is excited to try to go one better on his return to Ballymena this week.
Even now, two years after his breakthrough victory, the German remains one of the youngest players in the field at just 19 years of age, and he is embracing the innovative format at Galgorm Castle.
54 traditional stroke play holes will then give way to Shootout Sunday, with head-to-head stroke play match play contests over six holes ultimately deciding the winner.
Foos has struggled for much of the past year with a wrist injury but has looked to be rediscovering his best form recently, finishing runner-up in Denmark at the end of June, and he is in a positive mood ahead of this week.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “Everything’s good and it’s good to be back here – I did well here last year and it’s always nice to come back somewhere you’ve played well.
“The course is really good, in great condition, it’s a bit wet but the fairways are really good and the greens are good and that’s what it’s all about – I’m really looking forward to the week.
“The new format is very interesting. Michael Hoey asked me about it a couple of months ago and I thought it was a good idea, so I’m happy they’ve done it that way.
“Now the important thing is making sure I’m there on Sunday! I think the six hole match play makes it more interesting, especially for the spectators – we’ve got a lot of people coming out here to watch and it’s something different, which is usually something good as well.
“My game is going in the right direction. I played quite well last week but made some stupid mistakes and missed the cut, but in general my game is good and I feel really good to be back on a course where I’ve played well in the past.
“I can’t wait to get started, that’s for sure, and I love playing in front of these crowds – it would be great to have it every week, but it makes this one even more special so I’m looking forward to it.”
