Fota Island’s John Doyle claimed his first national title last week when he won the Irish Boys Close in Monkstown.  The 15 year old from Mitchelstown won through in four match play games to lift the trophy after four days of golf in Monkstown.

The Mitchelstown CBS student shot two rounds of 71 in the stroke play qualifier to finish in 8th place and comfortably qualify for the round of 16 match play phase.  On Thursday morning he had a 2&1 win over Gordon Skillet and in the afternoon he took out the leading qualifier Gavin Tiernan with an impressive 6&5 win in tough weather conditions. That saw him through to the final four, he was the only Cork golfer remaining after Douglas trio James Walsh, Jack Murphy and Sean Deasy all lost out in the first round.

In Friday’s semi-final he had a 3&2 win over Mark Gazi to set up a final challenge against Noah Bickerstaff.  After a steady front nine, the Fota Island golfer was level with his opponent.  But by the time they reached the 14^th tee the Cork golfer was two ahead.  He won the 14^th to go three up and with only three holes to go there was pressure on Bickerstaff.  After both golfers hit bunkers on the par three 16^th, Bickerstaff got up and down to keep the game alive.  A lost ball however on the 17^th would see the match draw to a close on the 17^th green.  With the luxury of only needing to match Bickerstaff, Doyle found himself on deck in three and the match was conceded.

Gallery: Irish Boys Close Championship 2023

This was the Cork teenagers first time in the Irish Boys Close final, and he was delighted to get the win after a long week of golf.  “It feels great. I’ve played a lot of golf over the last four days, six rounds, so I’m pretty happy to be resting for the next few days so ya, happy enough,” said Doyle.  The Fota Island Golfer was playing close to home this week and the extra few practice rounds that he was able to get in paid off.

He also was quick to credit the golf course in Monkstown.  “It was great, it was in unbelievable condition, given the rain and the wind the last few days. It’s been great and they’ve been a great host to all of us so thanks very much to them.”  Local support helped Doyle to get over the line, as he knew he was up against tough competition in Bickerstaff.  “Ya, it was great that all the lads came out from Fota, it definitely helped me today against Noah. He’s a very tough competitor and well done to him also.”

On the back of his win in Monsktown, Doyle was named in the Irish squad that will travel to the McGregor Trophy in Englan next week.  The McGregor is the English U16 Championship and the tournament takes place in  Hunstanton Golf Club on 18-20 July.  The event is a 72-hole stroke play championship played over three days.  144 competitors will play 18 holes on each of the first two days with the top 40 going though to the final day when they will paly 36 holes.  Before that Doyle will head to Dungarvan this weekend for the AIG Barton Shield where Fota Island will among the 16 teams hoping to win the Munster East Pennant.