McNamara succeeds long-serving Ryan

Derek McNamara has succeeded long-serving Michael Ryan as the PGA Professional at Co Galway venue Oughterard Golf Club.

The 31 year old from Ballyconeely, Connemara is a graduate in Applied Golf Management Studies  from the University of Birmingham which is an honours degree course run in conjunction with The PGA.

McNamara enjoyed a successful amateur career, earning representative honours for Ireland before making the transition into professional golf as an assistant at Connemara GC.

He moved to Portmarnock in 2010 and followed that up with a spell at the Lough Erne Resort last year.

In addition he has also gained valuable coaching experience working at the GUI Academy at Carton House.

Ryan is retiring after 35 years at the helm.