Douglas’ Sara Byrne will turn professional and sign for Dromoland Castle as its touring professional at the end of this summer.

The University of Miami star (22) plans a full amateur schedule over the coming months and hopes to join the paid ranks as a Curtis Cup player.

She’s riding the crest of a wave after a successful final season in the US, which saw her win back-to-back events for her college and earn Second Team All-American honours from the Women’s Golf Coaches Association last weekend

“I’m playing the LET Access Tour in France next week and then British Amateur at Portmarnock,” said Byrne, who is also set to star in the Arnold Palmer Cup at Lahinch from July 5-7.

If all goes well, she also hopes to play in the European Amateur Team Championship and the Home Internationals before heading to the LPGA Q-School.

If she makes the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup side to face the USA at Sunningdale from 30 August to 1 September, she won’t be able to play the clashing KPMG Women’s Irish Open and improve on last year’s performance at Dromoland, where she was the leading amateur.

The Cork golfer also won her second Irish Amateur Close title last year and she’s eager to keep up the momentum.  

“Last summer in Ireland was absolutely fantastic,” she said. “I loved every second of it. Then I went back over to the States and closed out my time there in one of the best ways possible.  

“I can’t think of a welcome back to Ireland than becoming a partner to one of the country’s most incredible golf resorts and being given the opportunity to do what I love and continue to grow as a golfer in these amazing surroundings.  

“While playing around the world, I will proudly have the Irish golf flag and Dromoland Castle on my bag. I’m excited for the future and now having a relationship with an Irish club makes me feel right at home.”

Eamonn O’Donnell, Director of Golf at Dromoland Castle is pleased that Byrne will become the resort’s touring professional for 2024-25.

“Sara has been on an incredibly exciting journey in her golfing career, particularly over the last 12 months,” he said.  

“We’ve been following her fantastic progress and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome her into the Dromoland Castle fold as our newest touring golf professional.  

“She has a huge amount to offer and we’re confident that, whenever she gets the opportunity, she’ll feel very at home on our championship course.”