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On the first tee: Limerick golfing teens are off to US
TWO Limerick teenagers will be teeing off at a prestigious golf club in New Jersey this weekend.
Andrew O'Flynn, 18, from Rathbane, and Ashleigh Leslie, 14, from Castletroy, will be representing The First Tee of Ireland in the Barclays Cup Tri-Match at the prestigious Plainfield Country Club from this Friday, August 21, for four days.
Ten other students from across the country will also be taking part in the event.
Ashleigh was introduced to the game by her father, Gary, at the tender age of eight, and since joining The First Tee program in the summer of 2007, she has also become a member of Rathbane Golf Club.
Ashleigh is one of four girls on the team, but females are increasingly showing their strength on the green, with their membership climbing to 42 per cent.
There are currently 203 active participants from 12 Limerick schools taking part at Rathbane Golf Club and at Adare Pitch and Putt Club.
Breda Deedigan, chairperson of the Limerick branch of The First Tee Ireland, said this is a fantastic opportunity for the students and will be "an experience that will stand to them in future years."
"I would like to offer my congratulations to Andrew and Ashleigh and I have no doubt but that they will be fine young ambassadors for everyone associated with TFT of Ireland," said Ms Deedigan.
Fellow golfer, Andrew, had never played the game or had lessons prior to joining The First Tee Program two years ago.
However, he has already achieved "birdie level" within The First Tee Life Skills Experience program under the tutelage of PGA professional, John Coyle.
He too has become a member of Rathbane Golf Club and now counts Padraig Harrington as his favourite golfer.
Mr Coyle, who leads the coaching in The First Tee program in Limerick and Clare, said he is very proud of both young golfers.
"Their success is reflective of the effort and dedication they have shown since joining the program," he said.
The programme is supported by the Mack Trading Amenity Management, the City Council, Rathbane Golf Club and Limerick City Sports Partnership. The First Tee is a charitable organisation and an initiative of the World Golf Foundation.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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