Brian McElhinney

Brian burst on the scene in 2003. He had already won several titles at boys' and youths' level, but now he was ready to move up a gear. He won the North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush, beating Ballyclare's Johnny Foster by one hole and then reached new heights when he won the European Amateur Championship. 2004 was to bring even greater glory. In the final of the Irish Close played at Donegal Golf Club, he was up against his great friend and club mate Michael McGeady. In a bruising match where no quarter was asked or given, Brian won by one hole.

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Then it was on to greater things at Royal Birkdale which meant automatic entry into the British Open and the Masters at Augusta. What a surreal world to be living in! How many people have stayed in the 'Crow's Nest' at Augusta, Bobby Jones' attic in the clubhouse - a handful, and Brian is among them. His experience in 2006 will live with him forever, playing in the masters with five times British Open Championship Tom Watson and 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell.