Lurgan pair primed for K Club test

Fast food restaurant manager Gareth Moore is relishing the prospect of playing at The K Club in the Lombard Trophy regional final.

Moore is partnering experienced Lurgan Golf Club PGA professional Peter Hanna in the event which will be held on the Smurfit Course on Tuesday, August 2.

The pair will be hoping to secure a place in the £41,500 grand final which is supported by Coca Cola and is being staged over 36 holes at the beautiful Pestana Golf Resort in Vila Sol from September 22-23.

Talented Moore goes into the event in good form as the one-handicapper rarely misses a moment to get out on to the golf course.

“I tend to work nights which means I can get to play two or three times in the week and maybe a couple of times at the weekend,” he said.

“I’ve never played The K Club although I seem to have been to all the other big courses in Ireland.

“It’s not a daunting prospect, I’m playing a lot and really looking forward to playing at such a famous venue.”

Moore, 35, has a real passion for the game and spends as much time as he can honing his skills.

“I probably started when I was eight or nine, then I took a break at 17 and I was probably around 27 when I returned to the game,” he said.

“I got my handicap down from five to one and I’m feeling good about my game,”

And Moore believes he and Hanna are capable of combining well on the day.

“I’ve known Peter a long time and we’ll get on fine, he gives me tips from time to time and if he can’t, he’ll put me in touch with someone who can,” he said.

“I think we’ll make a good combination which is what you need for these sort of events.”

Also among those taking part in the event at The K Club are:   John Dwyer and Peter Curtis  (Ashbourne Golf Club);   Eddie Tracey and Paul Harney (Ballina Golf Club); Brian Cosgrove  and Gary O'Flattery (Killeen Golf Club); Paul Stevenson and Michael Connolly (Portadown Golf Club); Liam Bowler  and Paul Hynes (Wexford Golf Club); and Don Macfarlane and Darren Burns  (East Cork Golf Club).