Gerard Dunne, a 38-year-old school teacher from County Louth, hopes to become the first home winner of the East of Ireland Amateur Championship in 41 years when it is decided at Baltray. He has recorded top-10 finishes in the Flogas Irish Amateur Open and the North of Ireland Championship this season. Dunne believes he is better prepared than in 2016, when he finished second, and focuses on understanding his strengths and areas needing improvement. He is part of an 11-strong home contingent that includes several notable players. The event features a 132-man field, with the first goal to finish in the top 42 and ties after 36 holes to qualify for Sunday’s final rounds.
""I think it would be an amazing thing to do, to become part of the history of the club, to have your name on the board and to lift the trophy, it would be huge," said Dunne, who is part of an 11-strong home contingent. "It's what you practise for when you're a kid, it's what you talk about when you're a young member. And to be in a position where I genuinely feel I can win, it is great. ""
""I'm preparing much better now in the last few years than I ever did," he told Golf Ireland. "It's just about making sure I know what the strengths of my game are and where the areas are that I need to keep on top of.""
""We're lucky in Baltray to have so many good players that you play a high calibre of player every week, and that keeps your game sharp," Dunne said."
"The first objective for the 132-man field is to make the top 42 and ties after 36 holes, who will qualify for the last two rounds on Sunday."
Read at Irish Independent
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