Congratulations to Michael Ryan (pictured) from Tipperary Golf Club on becoming Ireland’s TopGolfer Champion 2013.

The TopGolfer Tour broke all records this season with over 4,000 amateur golfers competing in 35 Tour events nationwide across a 7-month period. Similar in ways to the structure of the FedEx Cup on the US PGA Tour, the TopGolfer Tour progressed to a 1-day PlayOffs stage, which was then followed by a 2-day Tour Championships.

In early October 2013, Tour event winners and Order of Merit qualifiers battled it out in a 1-day shootout event on the Christy O Connor designed Concra Wood Golf Club in Co. Monaghan, all vying for one of the 28 available places at the 2-day Tour Championships that took place 2-weeks later at The Heritage Resort in Killenard Co Laois.

Players from a geographical spread of clubs competed at the two season ending events, which included players representing clubs such as: Mt Juliet GC, Lee Valley GC, Athy GC, Cork GC, Clontarf GC, Adare Manor GC, Naas GC, Ardee GC, City of Derry GC, Knightsbrook GC, The Grange GC, Castlecomer GC, Mountrath GC, Tipperary GC, Navan GC, Fota Island GC, Mt. Wolseley GC, Ballybunion GC, Druids Heath GC, Loughrea GC, Killerig GC, Cill Dara GC, Kilcock GC and more.

Played on the Ballesteros Course at The Heritage Resort, the 2-day season finale of the TopGolfer Tour saw 28 players contend on the testing Championship layout. On the final day, players had the unique opportunity to play to the Seve Trophy “Sunday” Pin Positions but inclement weather meant scoring wasn’t going to be easy.

Michael Ryan from Tipperary Golf Club produced two sparkling rounds of golf, on route to becoming Irelands’ TopGolfer Champion for 2013 - #1 from over 4000 players. Championship Runner-up was Keith Murphy from Charlesland Golf Club who opened up with a superb 3 under par 69 gross, while Justin Noonan continued his good form to take 3rd place, having taken victory in the Kelkin Revive PlayOffs 2-weeks earlier.

Visibly thrilled with his win, Michael commented on the 2-day Finals “It’s a bitter sweet victory for me as I managed to qualify for the Tour Championships last year at Fota Island as well, only to finish in runner up position. I was very patient all day in the testing conditions and although I’m shocked to have won, I knew that last years’ experience would stand to me”.

TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS:
Michael Ryan - TipperaryGC - 144 (71-73)
Keith Murphy - Charlesland GC - 145 (67-78)
Justin Noonan - The Grange GC - 146 (76-70)
Michael Gielty - The Grange GC - 146 (71-75)
Stephen Gethings - Co Meath GC - 147 (72-75)
Keith Cohalan - Ballybunion GC - 148 (75-73)
Alan Purcell - Adare Manor GC - 149 (79-70)
Rory Dineen - Cork GC - 149 (75-74)
Stewart Crowe - Elm Park GC - 150 (74-76)
John Rogers - Mountrath GC - 151 (76-75)
PJ Doyle - Ballymoney GC - 151 (74-77)
David Scully - Galway GC - 152 (76-76)
David Daly - Waterville GC - 153 (77-76)
Donal Heron - Clontarf GC - 153 (77-76)
Stephen Finlan - Dunmurry Springs GC - 153 (76-77)
Michael Kavanagh Jnr - Woodenbridge GC - 154 (77-77)
John joe Smyth - Slievenamon GC - 155 (76-79)
Niall Maher - Mountrath GC - 155 (78-77)
James Green - Hollystown GC - 156 (76-80)
Luke Donnelly - Mount Juliet GC - 156 (78-78)
Warren Kelly - Naas GC - 156 (79-77)
Ian Lynch - Rosslare GC - 158 (79-79)
Pat Doyle - Glen of the Downs GC - 158 (76-82)
Colin Donnet - Blessington Lakes GC - 160 (80-80)
Brendan Martin - Druids Heath GC - 162 (84-78)
Gregg Santry - Faithlegg GC - 166 (84-82)
Paul Sullivan - Roganstown GC - 167 (88-79)
Arthur Flanagan - Blessington Lakes GC - 168 (83-85)

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