Irish amateur Gary Hurley teed off at Fota Island Resort today with a sense of excitement and gratitude to the University programme which helped him earn a coveted invitation to play in the Irish Open for the first time.
The 21 year old Irish international is the first member of the Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarship programme at National University of Ireland (NUI) at Maynooth, which is named after the late father of three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington.
Hurley, who marked his first round in a European Tour event by shooting a 72, is currently about to enter his fourth and final year of a degree in Business and Management and he admits that the Paddy Harrington Scholarship has been a “massive boost” to his burgeoning career.
He said: “It’s a huge thrill to be here at Fota Island and being the first player from the Scholarship programme at Maynooth to play in the Irish Open. I am really grateful to everyone associated with the programme for giving me this fantastic opportunity.”
He added: “The facilities at the GUI at Carton House at second to none and I’ve been very lucky to be able to get a good education and improve my golf at the same time. I try to get the right balance between my studies and golf and it’s a great scheme for young golfers like me. I have managed to keep improving and get to understand the levels I need to reach.”
Barry Fennelly, Manager of the Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarship programme, also came through the system, which was launched in 2006 shortly after Paddy Harrington passed away.
Both Padraig Harrington and current Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley have been recipients of Honorary Doctorates at NUI, as has European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady.
Harrington, who began his challenge for a second Irish Open title with a round of 69, said: “It’s fantastic to see Gary out here this week, and playing so well. It’s great for him personally and also great for Irish golf in general that there is another path the young amateurs can take, rather than having to go over to college in the States. You can get yourself a good education over here, without the need to relocate to the other side of the world.
“There are great facilities at the GUI centre and the environment is a very healthy one, so the guys are given every opportunity to progress in the game. It’s up to them to make the most of their opportunity – Gary is certainly doing that, and I’m sure there will be many more who will follow in his footsteps in the future.”
O’Grady said: “I would like to congratulate everyone associated with the Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarship and all those at NUI Maynooth who have worked so hard to develop this tremendous programme.
“Having studied the operation closely over the past few years, I feel that this is a benchmark which any other countries can copy as a direct result of the outstanding leadership shown at Maynooth.”
