European Tour, Challenge TourBrian KeoghNovember 03, 2015European Tour Qualifying School, Jonny Caldwell, Colm Campbell, Brian Casey, Jack Hume, Alan Dunbar, Paul Dunne, Gary Hurley, Richard Kilpatrick, Rory McNamara, Chris Selfridge, Gavin Moynihan, Mick McGeady2 Comments

Q-School tests continue with 12 Irishmen heading for Spain this week

Paul Dunne watches a pitch shot on the fifth hole during a practice round ahead of the 2015 Walker Cup at Royal Lytham & St. Annes G.C. in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015.  (Copyright USGA/Chris Keane) — Paul Dunne watches a pitch shot on the fifth hole during a practice round ahead of the 2015 Walker Cup at Royal Lytham & St. Annes G.C. in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. (Copyright USGA/Chris Keane)

Ireland could have a record presence at the Final Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School later this month.

With Peter Lawrie, Ruaidhri McGee, Damien McGrane and Kevin Phelan all exempt into the Final Stage at PGA Catalunya Resort from November 14-19 where the leading 25 and ties after six rounds win Category 15 membership for 2016, it remains to be seen how many of this week’s 12 Second Stage hopefuls survive the cull.

A 16-man presence in Girona would seem unlikely considering a 50 percent success rate at Second Stage is the norm.

But this week's fare is certainly interesting with four members of September’s winning Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team among the 12 Irishmen who tee it up at four Spanish venues from Friday.

The Island’s Gavin Moynihan joins Derry’s Mick McGeady and Moyola Park’s Chris Selfridge at El Saler in Valencia while Naas’ Jack Hume tees it up as an amateur at Panoramica Golf and Sport Resort in Castellón with international team mate Colm Campbell Jnr from Warrenpoint, 2007 Walker Cup player Jonny Caldwell and Headfort’s Brian Casey

Open championship hero Paul Dunne and his Walker Cup foursomes partner Gary Hurley tee it up at Lumine Golf and Beach Club in Tarragona with former Walker Cup winner and British Amateur champion Alan Dunbar.

Banbridge’s Richard Kilpatrick and Headfort’s La Cala based Rory McNamara take their chances at Las Colinas Country Club in Alicante hoping to make it to the Final Stage at PGA Catalunya Resort from November 14-19 where the leading 25 and ties after six rounds win Category 15 membership for 2016.

McGee has a chance to win his full card via the Challenge Tour Grand Final in Oman this week — he reckons he needs a top three finish in Muscat to avoid a trip to Q-School.

Phelan is already guaranteed a better category in 2016 despite finishing outside the Top 110 in the Race to Dubai.

The withdrawal of Brooks Koepka from the money list bumped the Waterford man up from Category 17 to Category 16, increasing the number of events he will play next season.