McGrane receives official welcome
KNIGHTSBROOK Golf Club touring professional Damien McGrane was `officially` welcomed home at a reception in the Trim venue last Thursday night following his success in the Volvo European China Open last month.
There to greet the 2008 European Ryder Cup team contender were members of the management of Cusack Hotels group along with staff of the Knightsbrook resort, local elected officials and members of the golf club.
Cusack Hotels group general manager Paul McQuillan welcomed McGrane, his family and parents and paid tribute to his recent achievements.
“We are all looking forward to the real possibility that he could be a member of the Ryder Cup team this year and he is currently ranked sixth in the European Order of Merit,” he stated.
“It`s an honour for us to have a Meath man achieve such a notable success and we are proud that he is associated with Knightsbrook,” he added.
Knightsbrook captain Des Keegan echoed those sentiments and added that it was a proud moment to see the Knightsbrook crest displayed after he finished his final round in the wind and the rain.
After waiting so long and working so hard, the Kells golfer finally hit the big time when he won the prestigious Volvo China Open and picked up a cheque for €232,121 for his efforts. He became only the 19th Irishman, north or south, to record a victory on the European Tour.
The China Open was his 169th event and after 17 years as a professional the win was well earned. His closing round score of a one-over-par 73 was only bettered by John Bickerton who shot a 72 in what turned out to be very difficult conditions.
McGrane honed his skills on the Headfort golf course and had indicated that he was close to finally making the breakthrough before Beijing. He achieved second place in India during March and was sixth at the Portuguese Open. He also played twice with Tiger Woods in Dubai, out-shooting the world`s number one at the Emirates.
After Beijing he competed in the BMW Asian Open in Shanghai before returning to Co Meath last week for a two-week break.
President McAleese telephoned McGrane in China to congratulate him on his first win on the European Tour and as he had planned a two-week break after the event, he has been feted locally since he arrived home.
“I`m delighted to have this opportunity to acknowledge the support I`ve received from so many people in Meath and I`m particularly pleased to have one Meath sponsor, Knightsbrook, amongst my backers,” commented McGrane.
“When I was coming up the 18th on the final round of the Beijing tournament I thought about the late John Cusack and the support he gave me, I know we would all love to have John here this evening, but he`s not and that`s very sad,” added McGrane.
Golf wasn`t the only success celebrated in the McGrane household this week. Damien McGrane`s daughter, Gemma (11), also brought some glory home on Thursday when she was part of the Carlanstown NS team that won the Leinster Olympic Handball girls` title at Claremont Stadium, Navan.
Headfort Golf Club also hosted a reception on Saturday night.
