Robin Dawson heading for north Augusta in April

Robin Dawson. Picture by Pat Cashman www.cashmanphotography.ie

Irish Boys champion Robin Dawson is heading for Augusta. 

No, he hasn't received an invitation to the Masters Tournament but to the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club, just a 20-minute drive from Amen Corner from April 24-26.

The Faithlegg talent, who went on to help Ireland win the Boys Home Internationals and was the top points scorer for Great Britain and Ireland in August's Jacques Leglise Trophy win over the Continent of Europe, will be helping an event that raises crucial funds for the First Tee Programme.

The tournament, which is held just over the Georgia border in North Augusta (South Carolina) is regarded as one of the leading junior events in the world due its stringent invitation guidelines. 

Automatic qualifiers for the 54-strong field include the USGA Junior Amateur champion and runner-up, the top 30 eligible players in the Golfweek/Sagarin junior rankings, the 2013 British Boys Amateur champion and runner-up and any junior in the top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking

Dawson can thank the First Tee of Ireland for his introduction to the game having taken it up when he was ten years of age through the first ever programme with Faithlegg National School in Waterford.

The bad news for Dawson is that his trip to the US coincides with the West of Ireland Championship at County Sligo. 

He would have had high hopes of making at impact at Rosses Point having reached the quarter-finals on his debut last year.