FORE Ireland Extends Services

The FORE Ireland team have launched a new website whichhighlights the additional services the team will provide this year and the extended areas of activity.

FORE Ireland was formed in 2009 by Irish PGA players, Michael Collins, Ted Higgins Jnr, David Mortimer and Mark Staunton with a view to preparing better for the European Tour Qualifying School.

In 2010 FORE Ireland team has added Irish PGA members for the new season including Philip Walton who has represented Ireland at every level both Amateur and Professional. Last year Michael Collins reached the Qualifying School Stage 2 in Arcos Gardens in Jerez last November and missed the cut by three shots for the final stage in PGA Catalunya. In the Irish Order of Merit Collins finished in eighth place and secured a place in the 3 Irish Open in Killarney later this year. Collins also finished 40th in the 2009 PGA EUROPRO Tour Order of Merit.

Mark Staunton participated in Stage 1 of 2009 Qualifying School but did not make it further and is now focussed on progressing further this season. On the EUROPRO Tour Order of Merit Staunton finished in 67th place and also secured 13th place in the Irish PGA Order of Merit last season. In the Irish PGA Order of Merit David Mortimer finished 20th with Ted Higgins in 31st place.Neither player competed in the 2009 European Tour Qualifying School. 

Philip Walton played for Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup in 1981 and 1983 before turning professional in 1983. At professional level Walton has represented Ireland in the 1990 Alfred Dunhill Cup and the World Cup in 1995. On the European Tour Philip Walton won three titles including the Peugeot Open de France, the Murphy’s English Open and the Catalonia Open the same year.

In 1995 at Oakhill in the United States Philip Walton secured the win for Europe in the 1995 Ryder Cup when playing against Jay Haas in the penultimate singles, he two putted the final green for a very memorable win. Walton finished 21st in the 2009 Irish PGA Order of Merit. The objective of FORE Ireland is to support Irish golfers fulfil their playing aspirations at all levels including the European Tour and the Seniors Tours. The FORE Ireland players have embraced the team concept as they benefit from shared playing experiences and competing in events together. 

The team currently has a panel of players working on a range of playing objectives.