Schoolboy Holmes proves the master in West of Ireland triumph

Dylan Holmes (Greystones) was crowned West of Ireland winner. Photo: Ben Brady / Inpho

Schoolboy Dylan Holmes overcame apocalyptic weather conditions and a spirited comeback from the battle-hardened Colm Campbell to become the youngest winner of the Connolly Motor Group-sponsored West of Ireland Championship since a 16-year-old Rory McIlroy in 2006.

The tall and willowy 18-year-old Leaving Cert student from Greystones Golf Club played sensational golf throughout, beating local favourite Barry Anderson 3&1 in level par figures in the semi-finals before racing into a four-up lead through 10 holes of the final en route to a memorable 2&1 win on his PGA professional father Karl’s 51st birthday.

“I’m happy,” a rain-sodden Holmes said after holding off laureled Warrenpoint man Campbell (37) in some of the worst weather seen at a West of Ireland final in years.

Holmes was four-under par and -4-up in the best of the weather through 11 holes.

But while Campbell won the 12th with a birdie and followed a losing par at the 13th with wins at the 14th and 16th to take the new champion all the way to the 17th, Greystones heralded its first West of Ireland winner on the iconic 17th green.

“That was a brilliant match. I was really nervous coming down the stretch there. I am so happy it’s over.

“It's incredible. I didn't really have any expectations coming in this weekend. I'm just really happy.”

The decider was brought forward to midday to avoid the worst of the wind and rain forecast for mid-afternoon.

But Holmes displayed a maturity beyond his years and dug deep as heavy rain and 50 kmph gusts lashed the finalists from the southeast for the final six holes of a memorable final that will only add to the lore of “the West”.

Dylan Holmes celebrates with his family. Photo: Ben Brady / Inpho

Campbell admitted afterwards that he got a taste of his own medicine from Holmes, who was not only playing in his first West, but also in his first men’s championship.

In his semi-final with the pre-Championship favourite Stuart Grehan from County Louth, four-time championship winner Campbell got off to a dream start,

After starting par-birdie-birdie-par-eagle to go three-up, he won the next two holes in par, lost the eighth but then made a 25-footer for birdie at the 11th to go five-up en route to a 2&1 win.

A good putter is a match for anyone, and the long hours Holmes has spent practising on the green at home paid dividends.

After winning the first in par and halving the second in birdie, he won the fourth with a two-putt par from 90 feet, rolling in a 12-footer for the win.

Campbell was short with his tee shot there, and while he halved the fifth in birdies, he three-putted the sixth to go three down.

Holmes drove out of bounds right and lost the seventh but got a huge break at the eighth, where he drew a good lie way right and got up and down from the front bunker for a half in pars.

From potentially being pegged back to one up, Holmes was four to the good 30 minutes later.

He made an 18 footer for a two at the ninth, won the 10th in par to go four-up and then turned the screw by brushing in a 25 footer for a half in birdie at the 11th, where Campbell was stone dead in two.

“He probably gave me a wee bit of my own medicine,” Campbell confessed. “I've done that enough over the years… It wasn't meant to be today.  Dylan was the right winner.”

The remaining holes were played in high winds and heavy rain but while Campbell, four down with five to play after a bogey at the 13th, won the 14th in bogey at the 16th in par, he could only match Holmes’ five at the 17th.

As for comparisons with McIlroy, Holmes could only smile,.

“He’s probably one of the greatest golfers of all time,” he said. “So I guess that's a pretty cool thing.”

Meanwhile, Brendan Lawlor shot rounds of 72 and 80 to win the ISPS Handa G4D @ The West by nine strokes from Co Sligo’s Alan Gaynor on 10-over.

Ocean FM and the bould Robbie Fitzpatrick jumped in to grab winner Dylan Holmes on the 17th green. pic.twitter.com/33dPWp57DZ

— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) April 22, 2025

West of Ireland Championship, sponsored by Connolly Motor Group, Co Sligo

Semi-finals:

Dylan Holmes (Greystones) bt Barry Anderson (Cork) 3&1;

Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint) bt Stuart Grehan (Co Louth) 2&1.

Final

Holmes bt Campbell 2&1.