Ryan remains on course for America despite lockdown

RYAN McNelis remains hopeful that his move to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where he will begin a golf scholarship in August will go ahead as scheduled despite the current travel restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There’s no issues yet, it just all depends on whether the college opens in August and flights too, so at the minute it’s all going ahead as planned. It just might be delayed, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens over the coming weeks,” he explained.

The St Ciaran’s College, Ballygawley, pupil received his scholarship offer back in October and since then he has completed and passed his SAT exams to cement his place at the American college.

However, for the last two and a half months he hasn’t been able to get out on course at his home club, Fintona, to fine-tune his exceptional skills, but he’s delighted that he has been able to get back to action since restrictions were eased.

“I’m delighted the courses are open again!,” he beamed.

”The break had a wee impact on my game. The short game is a wee bit rusty but it’s not too bad. I have a putting green at the house and a net so I’ve been able to keep going.

“I can’t wait [to go to America] but I’ll need a lot of practice before I go out there.

“Unfortunately all the championships I’d have played in before I go out there have all been postponed, which is not too good.

“But hopefully there will be club competitions and opens, I’ll have plenty of golf.”

FULL STORY IN LAST WEEK’S ULSTER HERALD AND DUNGANNON HERALD…