Cosgrove does it again

Killeen Golf Club’s Brian Cosgrove clinched his second final of the year when he booked a trip to Turkey for the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge.

Cosgrove (pictured left) partnered Killeen captain Art O’Molloy (right) for the Irish qualifying event at Roganstown Golf Club in Dublin where the pair won a close-fought battle on countback ahead of Bobby Kinsella and William Prendergast of Skerries Golf Club.

Both teams carded nine-under-par rounds of 62, but it was Killeen who came through.

The Co. Kildare pairing will now take part in the £25,000 final, supported by Canopius, over the PGA Sultan course at Antalya Golf Club, Turkey, from November 21-22.

Cosgrove had already qualified for the National PGA Pro-Am Championship which is being staged next month at Gleneagles in Scotland.

He admitted: “I’m over the moon about it, to get to one final is good, but two is great.

“But it was close, the pair we beat on countback were actually playing with us so it a real ding-dong battle all the way round.

“I ended the day thinking we were going into a play-off, so to find out we were already in the final was a bonus.”

O’Molloy, 67, who plays off a handicap of 14, said it was Cosgrove’s know-how that won the day.

He added: “Brian played at shot at the 17th hole that only a PGA Professional could make.

“That was the shot that decided it.

“I’m very proud to have played in this event and to be representing this club in Turkey.

“It’s not a place I’ve ever been to before so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I was in good hands with Brian, but I’ve told him if he keeps reaching finals like this then the PGA are going to start handicapping him!”