2024 Platinum
The 41-year-old Headfort (Co Meath) pro toured the formidable Baltray course near Drogheda, playing off the Irish Open tees, in a fine two-under 70, and led the nine Irish qualifiers for the 72-hole final of the Glenmuir Club Professional Championship, the premier competition of its kind for Irish and British professionals.
"Strangely enough, on the two occasions when I took my three-wood - at the par-four 14th, a treacherous hole at any time, and the last - I made a mess of things. But my opening tee shot with the driver and every one with that club for the rest of the round were very satisfying."
Former captain of the PGA Irish Region, McGovern has missed only a couple of Glenmuir finals since his first appearance in 1992, and has been an ever-present participant since 1994. Twice, in 1996 and 2003, he was good enough to make the GB&I team to play the United States in the PGA Cup, the club pros' version of the Ryder Cup, and he was non-playing vice-captain of the side which regained the trophy from the Americans in September 2005 at The K Club.
This year's Glenmuir final is at Royal Porthcawl, Glamorganshire, from June 12-15, a venue that pleases the Irishman. "I love playing links courses, and I'm looking forward to what'll be my first visit there."
John Kelly from St Margaret's Golf & Country Club was going along nicely, four under at the turn, largely thanks to a fine eagle three at the 544-yard third, but he was derailed by a bogey and double bogey, the latter at the par-five final hole, and had to sign for an inward half of 38, three over, and a 71.