Challenge Tour

Irish amateur golf lost that most precious of commodities on Monday  — a winner — when Moyola Park's Chris Selfridge announced that he is turning professional.

The two-time North of Ireland champion and former East of Ireland and Irish Amateur Close winner has decided to take to the paid ranks when he graduates from the University of Toledo next month.

The 23-year old from Castledawson, who was a member of the Irish team that won the Home International matches last year, hopes to make an impact on the Challenge Tour this summer.

He will get up to seven invitations thanks to the reciprocal invitations handed out to players from host nations — payback for wise investment in the Northern Ireland Open at Galgorm Castle over the past fours years.

Blessed with a smooth swing and a fine attitude, Selfridge is 114th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and may well be inside the Top 100 by the time he becomes a professional. 

Good form will be important when he hits the tour and the signs are encouraging after he followed his victory in the prestigious Talis Park Challenge in March with a third place finish in the Azalea Invitational.

Duncan Putter

Naas' Conor O'Rourke looks like a man to watch as he reaps the rewards for his hard work over the winter.

The Irish Development Panel player finished second, just one stroke behind Josh Davies in the prestigious Duncan Putter at Southerndown in Wales on Sunday.

Results (PDF)

Davies shot rounds of 73, 69, 74 and 75 to finish on 11 over par 291 with O'Rourke posting 70, 76, 71 and 75 for 292.

Jonathan Thompson, defending champion Jimmy Mullen and current Welsh Amateur champion Evan Griffith tied for third on 294 while another Naas player, Jonathan Yates, posted rounds of 79 72, 74 and 76 to finish 301.

Irish Mixed Foursomes

Latest Leinster Inter Club results

First Round:

• Killeen Castle bt Co Meath 4/1;
• Laytown & Bettystown bt Ashbourne 3/2;
• Ardee bt Black Bush 4/1;
• Bellewstown bt Dundalk 3/2;
• Greenore bt Co Louth 3.5/1.5;
• Balbriggan bt Seapoint 4/1;
• Royal Tara bt Headfort 4/1;
• Co Longford bt Mount Temple 3/2;
• Knockanally bt Mullingar 3.5/1.5;
• Rathcore bt Castle Barna 3/2;
• Glasson bt Moyvalley 3/2;
• Esker Hills bt Edenderry 3/2;
• Kilcock bt New Forest 4.5/0.5;
• Millicent bt Moate 3/2;
• Hollystown bt Roganstown 3/2;
• Corrstown bt Westmanstown 3/2;
• Forrest Little bt Castleknock 4.5/0.5;
• Donabate bt Silloge Park 4.5/0.5;
• Sutton bt Rush 3.5/1.5;
• Beaverstown bt Balcarrick 4/1;
• Clontarf bt Howth 3/2;
• Swords bt Skerries 3/2;
• Malahide bt Deer Park 4/1;
• The Island bt Killiney 3/2;
• Bray bt Delgany (DQ);
• Foxrock bt Powerscourt 3/2;
• Ballinascorney W/O Glencullen W/D;
• Milltown bt Grange 3.5/1.5;
• Rathfarnham bt Old Conna 3/2;
• Woodbrook bt Dun Laoghaire 3/2;
• Elm Park bt Kilmashogue 3/2;
• Greystones bt Glen of the Downs 3/2;
• Edmondstown bt Charlesland 3.5/1.5;
• Castle bt Beech Park 3/2;
• Naas bt Killeen 3/2;
• Lisheen Springs bt Slade Valley 3/2;
• Hermitage bt Newlands 3.5/1.5;
• Lucan bt Carton House 3/2;
• Baltinglass bt K Club 3/2;
• Blainroe bt Coollattin 3.5/ 1.5;
• Kilcoole bt Blessington Lakes 3/2;
• Arklow bt Woodenbridge 3/2;
• Craddockstown bt Wicklow 3/2;
• Birr bt Abbeyleix 3/2;
• Castlecomer WO Heritage WD;
• Portarlington bt Rathdowney 3.5/1.5;
• Athy bt Newbridge 3.5/1.5;
• Carlow bt Killerig 3/2;
• Courtown bt The Heath 3/2;
• Gowran Park bt Mount Juliet 3/2;
• Kilkenny bt St. Helen's Bay 3.5/1.5;
• Wexford bt Waterford 3/2;
• Enniscorthy bt New Ross 4/1;
• Borris bt Rosslare 3.5/1.5