Jimmy Mullen and local hero Cormac Sharvin are the latest members of the victorious Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team to confirm they will be teeing up at next week’s Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort.
Both players won every match they played at Royal Lytham and St Annes, Mullen victorious in all four sessions and Sharvin winning three points after sitting out the Saturday afternoon singles.
Sharvin was one of five Irishmen on the team and is excited to compete on home soil as the Challenge Tour returns to Ireland after a six year absence.
“It will be a good experience for me,” said the 22 year old. “It’s a step forward from what I’ve been playing in and it will be good to test myself against a really good field.
“Playing on the Challenge Tour is the hope whenever I turn professional so it’s great to get the experience and see what it’s like, and test myself against the benchmark.
“The Irish crowds are always really good and really supportive of their home players, so I’m sure they’ll be cheering us all on come the end of the week.”
Englishman Mullen’s presence means that half of the Walker Cup side will be present at Mount Wolseley, with Jack Hume, Gary Hurley and Gavin Moynihan all already confirmed.
The 21 year old, who made the cut in the 2013 Open Championship, is also excited to test himself against the most talented emerging golfers in the game.
“It’s starting to look a bit like a Walker Cup reunion!” he said “That was such a memorable week for us all, memories we’ll share forever, so I’m looking forward to catching up with the Irish lads again.
“To be competing in a Challenge Tour event is also very exciting, and I know the reputation the Irish golfing public have for being very knowledgeable and supportive, so it’s set to be a very special week I’m sure.”
Also in the field is France’s Romain Langasque, winner of this year’s Amateur Championship, as well as a host of the best Challenge Tour players all seeking to secure a place in the top 15 of the Road to Oman Rankings, and with it a place on next season’s European Tour, with just four tournaments remaining this year.
