Busy Kelly Stops For Glenmuir

Published: 27 April 2009

Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship Press Release

Ireland’s John Kelly, who has ambitions to become the best golf teacher in the country, will put his own game on the line as he bids to reach the final of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship next week.

The 36-year-old pro from St Margaret’s Golf Club – practically in the flight path of Dublin Airport – has such high-flying aims as a coach that he’s spent more than 30,000 euros in the last two-and-a-half years to fulfil that ambition.

But that will take a temporary backseat as he prepares for the Glenmuir Irish qualifier at The Heritage on Wednesday (May 6) which will be Kelly’s first competitive outing of the season.

He will be joined by Eamon Brady (Clontarf) and Robert Giles (Greenore) – the trio already having tasted success in one Glenmuir sponsored event – the PGA’s of Europe International Team Championship at Roda, Murcia, last December where they won by eight shots from Scotland.

The three will be joined at The Heritage, along with other likely qualifiers for Scotland, Brendan McGovern (Headfort), Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny) and Scott Kirkpatrick (Ardee) as they bid to claim a place in the £78,000 Glenmuir final which takes place at Dundonald Links from June 16-19.

Kelly, so busy teaching at his St Margaret’s Academy he thinks returning a phone request for a brief chat within two hours is pretty exceptional, is reaping the dividends of his commitment to becoming one of the Ireland’s best coaches.

“I’m being run off my feet here,” said Kelly who topped the Irish Order of Merit last year.

“I’m what’s called an Approved Fitness Professional, part of the Titleist Performance Institute based in California, who claim to be world leaders in golf fitness.

“Already this winter and spring I’ve been over to Carlsbad three times to improve my qualifications with them (I’m now at Level 3, the highest you can go), and my own fitness for golf.”
 
Glenmuir’s marketing director Andy Bough added: “The start of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship always marks the start of the tournament season for PGA pros, and we are really looking forward to this year’s qualifying finals.

“Now more than ever the Glenmuir Championship offers professionals the chance to compete with fellow professionals, but also to meet and share views and ideas on current trading. We hope all of the competitors will enjoy this year’s tournament.”

Notes to editors:

The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) has been at the forefront of developing professional golf and promoting interest in the game since it was formed in 1901.  Based at The Belfry, it has seven regional offices, represents 7,500 qualified professionals working in more than 60 countries worldwide and annually organises more than 900 golf tournaments and events. The PGA is also the trustee of the Ryder Cup Trophy and a partner in Ryder Cup Ltd.

Glenmuir is a brand right at the heart of golf. Preferred supplier to the European Ryder Cup team for 20 years, it also enjoys partnerships with The PGA, the PGAs of Europe, The European Tour, The Open Championship, and the English Golf Union. Glenmuir is official clothing supplier to the Golf Foundation, Ryder Cup Wales 2010, the SLGA, and the Golf Union of Wales.