Micheal McCaughey sets new course record at Bundoran Golf Club

In the company of the record holder, Micheal McCaughey wrote his name in the golf history of Bundoran Golf Club on Saturday morning last by setting a new course record of 65.

McCaughey, playing off a handicap of 3, shaved a shot off the record 66 set by Mason Collins just under two years ago. McCaughey was playing alongside Collins on Saturday and there is likely to be a battle between the friends for the coming summer.

From a well-known Bundoran sporting family with brothers Ciaran and Diarmuid well-known for their exploits on the GAA pitches with Realt Na Mara, Micheal played Gaelic at underage and a little bit at senior reserve, but has spent most of his time in recent years on the golf course.

He has been a regular in the winners’ enclosure this year but Saturday’s return was very impressive - a perfect round of 14 pars, 3 birdies and 1eagle.  

“I had three birdies and an eagle and no bogeys. Actually, I’m more delighted with the no bogeys, for the first time ever.

“The eagle came on the 10th, a par four. I holed out from the fairway. That was a big help,” says McCaughey.

“The birdies came on the 2nd, 4th and 16th.”

The win sees Micheal’s handicap cut and he will be hoping to lower it further this coming summer.

“I’m probably back down to scratch. I lost a full shot. I’m down to .4 which will leave me playing off scratch. I was +1 before, that was the lowest ever I was.”

His consistency in the past couple of months was shown in the weekly results and with Mason Collins home from the summer where he is on a golf scholarship, there will be plenty of rivalry for the gross prizes.

“With Mason back from America now, there is a bit of competition, friendly competition.”

A relatively late come to the game of golf, Micheal has made great strides in a short time.

“I started when I was 16, so I've been playing for seven years now. I’m the youngest of the McCaugheys, by a good bit.”

Micheal is presently working with MCR, a Donegal company based in Milford. “I am working for them from home.”

A couple of years ago he spent some time at the Home of Golf at St Andrews but just didn’t settle.

“I was only over there for just over a year.  I loved it but found it very hard to get accommodation. It was a great experience though.”

At the moment he is really enjoying the game and especially keeping his consistency.

“Loving it at the moment. I’ll have the pressure on myself now to keep up the good scores.”

He is also hoping to get back playing in the big competitions, like the West of Ireland, which he has already experienced.

“I applied again for the West (of Ireland) this year but the handicap was too high. But hopefully,  if I can get a bit lower now, I’ll be able to play in the rest of them.  I love playing in them big ones; that’s the goal,” said McCaughey

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