Kilkenny amateur golfer Mark Power’s dream is about to become a reality by playing in the Irish Open this week.
Mount Juliet in Thomastown hosts the event and the 21-year-old was invited to play by the European Tour, only finding out last week.
Usually, amateurs take up a few spots at the event but they don’t have that this year, Mark’s invite came straight from the European Tour.
Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Graham McDowell, and Padraig Harrington are all on the billing for this week.
Mark, who’s an amateur golfer told KCLR that these opportunities are great.
“Yeah it’s huge, any chance you get to play again the professionals is unreal,” said Mark.
“I grew up watching these guys on tv and hoping to be able to put myself in a position to play with them and I guess now I’ve turned 21 two weeks ago I’m starting to get to the stage where it’s actually happening”.
“I’m still obviously amateur so to get the chance to play in professional tournaments is great”.
Practice with the Pro’s
The Kilkenny man who was part of the recent Walker Cup team is hoping to get a round in with Shane Lowry this week and pick up a few tips from him.
“Hopefully I’ll be lucky enough to play with Shane Lowry or someone like that, I’m trying to organise that so I think I’ll get a practice round in with Shane Lowry so that’ll be great”
“I can try and pick his brain and some of the guys like that” he added.
Listen back to the interview on KCLR:
