Increase Textsize Decrease Textsize   Email to a friend

Golfer has pro hopes but needs help to get there

Murray Wenzel

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

© The Cairns Post

 

IRISHMAN Ciaran Boggan questioned his move to Australia when he found himself working on a construction site in Broome.

One quick round on a local course was enough to convince him that he wasn't living the great Australian dream and with that he packed up and made the move to Cairns.

Having landed a gig in the Paradise Palms golf shop, the 21-year-old is decidedly more content with his decision to leave Ireland and now he has set his sights on going pro.

Paradise Palms golf director Kyle Francis has labelled Boggan the best by far in the region and if there were any doubts about that they were squashed with his nine-shot win in the Sea Temple Open.

Boggan shot five under par. His nearest rival was four over.

The next step from here is earning a spot at the PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School, which has its first round at Melbourne's Peninsula Country Golf Club on December 19-21.

Boggan, who says he is not even playing at his potential, is confident of doing well there. His biggest problem is earning the money to book his place.

"The school is pretty high pressure, but if you're in form and playing well it isn't as bad," he said.

"I just need to get there."

A spot costs $1800, and Boggan is looking for sponsors.

"I can pay my flights and I've got accommodation lined up, I just need a bit of help with the entry fee," he said.

The tour is run in two stages, with players ranked and given a certain number of tournament invitations.

The big hitter grew up next to a golf course in Meath -- where his father owned a pub -- but it took him longer than your average punter to take the sport seriously. "I (was) 16 before I decided I wanted to make a go of it," he said.

It is full steam ahead for the Irishman now, with his only rest coming when he challenges and beats fellow Paradise Palms employees playing left-handed.

 


NEW CAIRNS.COM.AU COMMENT POLICY
We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Comments submitted without a full name and suburb/location will not be considered for publication. Please read our full comment policy and publication guidelines.

GUARANTEED hit: Ciaran Boggan left Broome in search of the ideal spot to launch his professional golfing career. He found it in Cairns but he now has a financial obstacle to overcome. Picture: TOM LEE





Comments

See all comments >>

Comments

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Comments submitted without a full name and suburb/location will not be considered for publication. Please click to read our full comment policy and publication guidelines.

Submit your feedback here:

Full name: Email address:
Location:
Your comments:
(max 1200 characters)
  Remember my details

(So you don't have to retype your details each time you send feedback.)

 

Email me if my comment is published