Fota Island golfer David Howard wins big in Baltray

David Howard claimed his maiden championship win as he was crowned East of Ireland Champion at Co Louth Golf Club on Sunday. 

The Fota Island golfer delivered a composed and clinical final-day performance at County Louth Golf Club to capture the 2025 Pharmaher East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship, his maiden Golf Ireland title.

The 72 hole competition came down to the final hole in Howard’s case. 

After opening with rounds of 69 and 72 Howard was comfortably in the top ten and in contention entering the final day. 

Local hopes Gerard Dunne and Gavin Tiernan were both ahead of Howard going into the final day. After the third round Howard was two behind Tiernan

Having been in contention all day, Howard kept his challenge going with birdies on 12 and 14 which gave him a one-shot lead, but a bogey on 17 meant he needed at least a four on the Par 5 18th to seal the win and avoid a playoff.

Standing on the championship tee, Howard needed 300 yards to carry the fairway on the 550-yard hole. He did that and more, sending a huge drive down the fairway that pitched 30 yards beyond the bunkers.

EMOTIONAL

With dad John who was on the bag for the weekend informing David on the fairway that he “needed to hit the green”, Howard responded with a perfectly struck second shot to inside 15 feet. 

He then lagged his eagle putt to within a foot, tapped in for birdie, and celebrated emotionally with family and friends, sealing his victory with a kiss from his partner Gabrielle.

Howard proved that consistency counts, while his opening 69 was five shot off the low round of the tournament, the 26-year-old Fota Island golfer was the only player in the field to post four par or better rounds, finishing on five-under-par to secure a one-shot victory after a tense final day in Baltray.

Needless to say Howard was delighted with the win. 

“It’s starting to sink in now after the presentation, it feels really good. Happy to do it with friends and family and my girlfriend here and my dad on the bag,” said Howard. 

“Really happy to get my name on this trophy. Feels incredible.

I drove the ball really well all week, that’s been my strong point in general but especially this week off the tee it’s been really good. 

"My short game was pretty good all four rounds,” said Howard. 

“Putter kind of let me down today but made a couple coming in - got enough to get the job done.

“The tee shot on the last suits my little fade so was able to let one fly down the last,” added Howard when asked about his approach to the final hole.

“I also asked my dad on the putt do I need to make this or not and he said no, so I just lagged it up there and had a foot, which I didn’t know was for the win, but to have that putt for the win was a nice way to seal it off.”

Having played the Irish amateur circuit for the past two years, Howard has seen a steady improvement in his game and his results. 

PRIORITY

At the end of last year he secured playing rights on the Clutch Pro Tour, but chose to prioritise the Irish Championships. In the off-season he spent time at pro events in Spain and Portugal and continued to work on developing his game.

Prior to Baltray Howard had a good start to the season, finishing in the top 10 at the Irish Amateur Open with an impressive haul of 20 birdies for his 72 holes. He also won the BYD East Cork Senior Scratch Cup earlier in the year.

Howard is the 30th Cork amateur to claim major title, and the Ringaskiddy man will be hoping to add to his good start to 2025.

Howard is set to continue with his busy schedule, heading to Connacht Stroke Play this weekend and then he has the Amateur Championship pre-qualifier, an Open qualifier, the Munster Mid-Am - and there's also an AIG Senior Cup match against Lee Valley all scheduled to take place in June.