Dunne Named Professional Of The Year

It’s been one heck of an incredible year for Greystones golfer Paul Dunne…

Which may explain why, on Thursday night, the 25-year-old Greystonian was crowned Professional of The Year at the Irish Golf Writers’ Association annual awards.

Making the seemingly seamless leap from amateur to professional, Dunne made history earlier this year when he won the British Masters in July.

The player’s first tour title, the win cemented Dunne’s international reputation, with his chip-in on the 72nd hole at Close House being good enough to earn the Shot Of The Month award. Only the Greystonian’s second full season on the circuit, Dunne this year enjoyed five top-10s, finishing 16th on the order of merit, with almost €1.7m in prize money.

Paul Dunne and caddie Darren Reynolds

So, if you see him down at The Burnaby over Christmas, the milky Irish whiskeys are on him.

It’s worth noting that Dunne started the year ranked 275th in the world, and has now ended 2017 the 76th position.

Past Professional Of The Year winner Shane Lowry said of Thursday’s award, “I know Dunners fairly well and I’m delighted for him. I have noticed since winning the British Masters his expectations have risen, and winning the award is another step forward.”

Here’s to an equally glittering 2018 for, eh, Dunner…