Golf

Dermot McElroy gears up for Northern Ireland Open golf challenge at Galgorm

Dermot McElroy of Northern Ireland plays his second shot to the first hole during the third day of the 2017 SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by MacDonald Hotels and Resorts at Spey Valley Golf Course on July 1, 2017 in Aviemore, Scotland. Picture by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images
Dermot McElroy of Northern Ireland plays his second shot to the first hole during the third day of the 2017 SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by MacDonald Hotels and Resorts at Spey Valley Golf Course on July 1, 2017 in Aviemore, Scotland. Picture by Ma Dermot McElroy of Northern Ireland plays his second shot to the first hole during the third day of the 2017 SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by MacDonald Hotels and Resorts at Spey Valley Golf Course on July 1, 2017 in Aviemore, Scotland. Picture by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy is the local favourite making his mark in the professional game and would like nothing better than a winning performance in front of home crowds at this week’s Galgorm Resort & Spa Northern Ireland Open, presented by Modest! Golf Galgorm Castle.

Tournament week at the bustling Ballymena venue has finally arrived and it promises to be a week-long festival of golf where the best players in Europe will compete in the brand-new Shootout Sunday format.

Spectators can also enjoy a host of entertainment and activities away from the fairways too. Entry to the NI Open is free all week and there is still time to register for those free tickets on niopen.golf.

McElroy turned professional just over 12 months ago and in time for last year’s NI Open at Galgorm Castle but narrowly missed the cut by one shot.

The 24-year-old’s best finish came in the inaugural 2013 NI Open when he finished ninth with rounds of 67, 70, 74, 67 while still an amateur.

This year he has made great strides and got off to a fast start by winning the first stage of the PGA EuroPro Tour School in March and finished tied second in final qualifying.

“I had no category at the start of the season so I had to play my way through the PGA EuroPro Tour School,” said McElroy, who grew up playing his golf at Ballymena Golf Club.

“That got me a full category on the EuroPro Tour and the first two tournaments I finished second and joint second and that gave me a great boost up the Order of Merit.” .

The former West of Ireland champion has also played a handful of European Challenge Tour events and was tied 16th in France at the end of July in the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge where he closed with final round 66.

He also made the cut at the Haut de France Golf Open and the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge but has always had one eye on this week’s NI Open.

“At the start of the year Fergie (Wallace) and I targeted the NI Open as a tournament we could do well at. I’m really looking forward to it, getting stuck in and trying to win,” said McElroy, noting the support he gets from Team Ireland and Wallace, who heads up PerformanceACTIVE, Official Technology Partner to the NI Open.

“I have great support from the likes of Team Ireland and the support and advice I get from Fergie is invaluable,” adds McElroy, who will have Wallace caddying for him at Galgorm and was on his bag for the Irish Open at Portstewart. Wallace also helps McElroy with the mental side of the game and course strategy.

Managed by Mitchell Tweedie at Octagon, McElroy receives at least six Challenge Tour starts and this combined with the EuroPro Tour “gives him a pretty full schedule”.

The NI Open is a key tournament for Irish players as it generates reciprocal invites for home players to compete in other tournaments across Europe.

McElroy is still learning his trade but continues to make progress. “It is different, there’s no doubt about it. It sounds obvious but there are so many good golfers out here,” he says.

“It’s small margins at this level. On the main tours, they maybe hit it a bit longer, hole a few more putts, they have the full package. One thing I did notice is all the top guys have their set routines, that’s hugely important and how to think on the golf course and react to situations.

“I look forward to big weeks like the NI Open and the Irish Open. I know myself when I play well I’m capable of making plenty of birdies. You just need to learn to get comfortable out here, playing in bigger tournaments and in front of bigger crowds. Hopefully then it becomes second nature.”

McElroy has played Galgorm many times and won the 2013 NI Amateur Open there. He will be hoping local knowledge can go a long way, especially in front of the home crowds.

“The secret at Galgorm is hitting it straight off the tee, you must find the fairways. It’s always great seeing familiar faces in weeks like this and hopefully I can give the home fans something to cheer about.”

Modest! Golf’s Niall Horan will be at Galgorm Castle through the week and will present the winner with the NI Open trophy bowl on Sunday.