MICK McGINLEY from Grange, who has never been reckoned good enough for international golf at any level, has left a stream of internationals in his wake during his march to this morning's semi finals in the Carlsberg North of Ireland championship at Royal Port rush.
After disposing of the twice former winner Neil Anderson on Wednesday, the 21 year old brother of European tour player Paul McGinley, yesterday swept aside both Graham Spring and five times winner Garth McGimpsey.
"It has been the best golfing day of my life as I have beaten two excellent players," said McGinley, who is a student at Saddleback College in Orange County, California. "I have never represented Ireland in any grade but maybe, somebody will take note now.
Against McGimpsey the tussle was level after six holes but the Dubliner then had four birdies from the eighth to the 11th to leap into a two hole lead. The long ninth and 10th were shared to push back McGimpseys drive for victory. Those were two very important halves as they kept the pressure on Garth," McGinley reflected.
As McGimpsey's game went somewhat askew McGinley kept his cool winning the 13th and 15th holes in regulation to book his place in the last four. In beating McGimpsey by four and three McGinley avenged a five year old defeat of his brother, Paul, in the championship final by McGimpsey.
McGinley will now face teenager Rickie Elliott from the host club. He had an overtime win against Walker Cup hero, Jody Fanagan showing his class at the 8th hole where he snatched a half after missing the green, but holed from 12 feet to keep the match level. He then won the first tie hole and in the afternoon beat Ritchie Coughlan by two holes.
Elliott, who won the Ulster boys championship last year, had back to back birdies at the 10th and 11th holes to go two up and then after losing two of the next three holes, won the 15th with birdie three, halved the next in birdie, lost the long 17th to a birdie but won the last hole for a famous victory.
Brian O'Melia will this morning take on leading qualifier Colin Glasgow after beating Dale Baker four and three. Baker had earlier had a surprise two hole win over defending champion Keith Nolan.
O'Melia, as he has done in most of his matches, strode over the opening nine holes majestically to turn four up and then, after losing the short 11th to par, wrapped up his victory with birdie three at the 15th where he wedged to 12 feet and rolled home a putt.
In the morning O'Melia squashed the hopes of his Newland's colleague, Peter Lawrie.
Glasgow beat Scottish international panelist Lorne Kelly three and two but had to go the 21st hole in the afternoon before putting out David Gibson with birdie two.
