Hynes seeking devine inspiration at Forest Pines

Leo Hynes has been doing his homework in preparation for this week’s Golfbreaks.com PGA Fourball Championship.

The Killiney Golf Club pro (pictured in front) is partnering club assistant Ryan Madigan (behind) at the £28,750 BMW-supported final, which will be held at Forest Pines Hotel on October 2-4.

Hynes has been getting the inside track on the Lincolnshire-based course from a man who should know his way around the course - former champion Patrick Devine.

It was four years ago when Devine, of Royal Dublin Golf Club, partnered Stuart Taylor as the Irish duo won the title, and Hynes wasted no time in contacting him.

“I’ve spoken to Paddy already and he’s been telling me what to expect at Forest Pines,” said Hynes.

“He’s been telling me where we might get some birdies at the par fours and par fives. It’s the greens that are going to be the key to it.

“Paddy knows his way around there and how to win there so I hope I can use that information.”

Hynes believes Madigan’s experience will also come in useful too.       

The Waterford player spent two years in the US at the Hank Heaney Junior Academy in Carolina.

“That was a great experience for Ryan and something he can use to build on for the future,” said Hynes.

“He’s still finishing his PGA training but he’ll have been playing more than me this year.

“We can’t wait to get over there though, we’re both really looking forward to it and it’d be great if we could emulate what Paddy did there a few years ago.

“I think it’s going to be a great course for us to play.”

Hynes did part of his training in England when he was studying for his PGA qualifications.

He explained: “Some of the course involved travelling over to Birmingham and I was able to get some experience of playing at The Belfry which was a fantastic place.”

Other teams from Ireland playing at Forest Pines include Ian St John (Carrick-on-Suir) and David Foley (Dromoland Castle); Emmet Staunton (Castleknock) and Rod Park (Park Consulting Services); and Matthew Dunmore and Adam Dunmore (Bundoran).