MICHAEL McGINLEY is aiming to follow in the footsteps of his brother Paul after completing a degree at Saddleback College in California, but in the meantime is chalking up some notable victories.
The latest was yesterday in the Carlsberg North of Ireland Amateur championship at Royal Portrush when the 21-year-old Grange player beat former double winner, Neil Anderson, in the second round by a four and three margin. McGinley had earlier accounted for former Ulster player, Rickey Dorman, by two holes.
McGinley recently won the Tramore Scratch Cup and finished third in the Irish Amateur Open championship at Fota Island. He reckons yesterday's win over Anderson as one of the highlights of his career to date.
"Neil is a very good player and was a little unfortunate over the front nine. I'm playing well, however, and I hope to keep things on course," he said.
He won the second hole with birdie four, lost the fourth to par before taking the lead once more at the short sixth - a lead he was never to lose. He went two up at the seventh with a solid par after two drivers to the heart of the green and turned three up when he wedged to one foot for birdie at the long ninth.
The battle was all but ended at the par five 10th, which McGinley took in his stride. He boomed two drivers just short of the green and pitched to three feet. The match ended at the 15th which he won in par figures.
"I went to California in January to search of a golf scholarship and found one at Saddleback College. I'm studying business administration and my golf has improved tremendously," he enthused.
The biggest surprise yesterday was the elimination of fancied Noel Fox by David Gibson from Downpatrick, who eased through to this morning's third round by one hole.
Gibson won the fourth and fifth holes to be one up and after the next seven were halved, Fox, the East of Ireland champion, made birdie three at the 13th to square the match.
However, electrician Gibson sparked off his victory with wins at the 14th and 15th where he took birdie three, but again it was all square after the 17th.
The battle was decided on the final green when the winner left his seven iron approach just 10 feet from the flag and got down in two putts, while Fox three-potted from 20 yards, charging his first effort six feet past.
In the morning Gibson beat Alex Meharg by three and two, while Fox had a four and three victory over Cork's Gary Murphy.
Defending champion, Keith Nolan, had to play only 28 hole to reach this morning's third round, while five times winner, Garth McGimpsey, also went through.
