Plasterer hoping for smooth path to Gleneagles final

Plasterer Jimmy Dooghe is within sight of a dream Gleneagles final, as he prepares to play in the Lombard Trophy.

Dooghe will team up with The Heath’s PGA Professional Mark O’Boyle (pictured) in the regional final at The Island Golf Club on Tuesday 2 July.

The Portlaoise-based club are aiming to qualify for the £43,600 grand final which will be held over the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 3-4, the venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Victory would see O’Boyle competing at his second successive final and Dooghe, who plays off a handicap of 16, knows what is at stake.

He explained: “It was big news when Mark got to the final last year.

“And he’s already chatted with me and said he’s expecting a lot from me this time!

“But I feel I’ve been playing quite well lately.”

Dooghe is no stranger to big golf tournaments - he was caddy to former Heath professional Eddie Doyle who will also be appearing at the qualifier to represent Westmanstown Golf Club alongside amateur Feargal Keane.

Dooghe said: “I used to be Eddie’s caddy and that includes a trip to the PGA Championship at Wentworth a few years back.

“I’ve been a member at The Heath for around 20 years and it’s good that I’m playing with Mark who I know well because we come from the same town.

“We play at The Heath but we are both from Carlow which is about 30 miles away. So we have a lot in common.

“I’m really looking forward to playing at The Island, especially with a chance to go to Gleneagles for the winners.”

Other teams taking part in the regional final include Derek Morrison and Dermott Harkin (Foyle Golf Club); Simon Byrne and Pat McGilloway (Hermitage); Stephen Hamill and Gary McCarter (Lisburn); David Foley and Liam Maloney (Drumoland Castle); Pat Gittens and Liam Dixon (Corrstown) and Tony Judd and Martin Kelly (Forest Little).