Offaly golfer makes dream start to USA scholarship as Cantwell selected for World juniors

AN Offaly golfer has made a dream start to a scholarship in the USA. Evan Monaghan, Killina, Rahan led Indian Hills Community College, Iowa to victory in the Blue River Classic at Highlands golf course in Lincoln, Nebraska as well taking the individual prize.

It was a fantastic start by the young man, who joined Tullamore Golf Club at a young age, playing a weekly round with his grandfather Frank Monaghan and others. He developed a terrific passion for golf from his early years, devoting hours to practice and his handicap soon came down, eventually reaching scratch.

He has won several prizes on the Irish circuit and competed internationally for Ireland. Monaghan did his Leaving Certificate at Killina Presentation Secondary School last June and headed to Iowa a few weeks ago.

Making his debut for the number three nationally ranked Indian Hills mens' golf squad, he had a fantastic tournament, posting -15 for the three rounds to win the individual event. He had nineteen birdies in rounds of 65, 66 and 70.

The son of Brian and Mary Monaghan, his total was the second lowest 54 hole total in Indian Hills' mens' golf history, three shots behind Brad Smith's 2006 mark. His opening 65 was the fourth lowest in the Indian Hills golf programme history.

The Indian Hills Warriors will be competing again on September 28.

Monaghan is one of two Rahan people who have won golf scholarships to the USA. Outstanding female talent, Ella Cantwell will be travelling to Texas next year after completing her Leaving Certificate at Killina Secondary School – Cantwell has had a sensational season and has been selected for the Irish team for the World Juniors Girls' Championship in Canada, starting on September 30.

The West of Ireland Amateur Open winner, Cantwell, Esker Hills Golf Club will be joined on the trip by Hannah Lee McNamara, Royal Portrush and Olivia Costello, Roscommon – Hannah Lee is a daughter of Banagher man, Ronan McNamara, an All-Ireland minor hurling medal winner with Offaly in 1989.