Second final for Cosgrove

By
Miles Bossom
-

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 partnered Killeen captain Art O’Molloy 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 was 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!”

GOLFPLAN INSURANCE PGA PRO-CAPTAIN CHALLENGE supported by Canopius
Irish Regional Qualifier at Roganstown Golf & Country Club, Monday 19 August 2013

Final results:

Pos.    Score              Pro                              Captain                      Represents

1=      62 (-9)          Brian Cosgrove         Art O’Molloy             Killeen

Bobby Kinsella          William Prendergast   Skerries

                             (Killeen win on countback)

3        63 (-8)          Brendan McGovern    John Griffin             Headfort