GMac to get Honorary Doctorate

McDowell who is the first Northern Ireland professional to capture a Major title since Fred Daly’s British Open success in 1947, will receive a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree at a ceremony in the New Year.

Ulster Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett, said: “We are delighted that Graeme has accepted an honorary doctorate after what has been an amazing year for him on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Like our Chancellor, he is a local lad who through passion and determination has achieved excellence on the international stage.

“He has been a terrific ambassador for Northern Ireland, Irish and European golf and has fulfilled the potential that many saw in him when he won the Ulster Boys Championship in 1996 and later the Haskins Award as the top collegiate golfer in the United States in 2002.

“I know people in his home club of Rathmore, in the Borough of Coleraine and Graeme’s family are justifiably proud of his achievements - particularly at Pebble Beach where he became the first European winner of the US Open since Tony Jacklin’s triumph in 1970 and only the second European winner since 1925.

“If that wasn’t enough, he also managed to win the Welsh Open at Celtic Manor and then seal the decisive matchplay win for Europe against the United States during a nailbiting climax to the Ryder Cup on the same course.

“As a university which is developing a strong reputation for nurturing golf talent and whose students recently enjoyed success in the European Universities Golf Championship in the Algarve, we are delighted Graeme will be joining Darren Clarke who received an honorary doctorate from us in 2002.

“The University’s golf programme also enjoys links to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrew’s, the K Club and the Ulster branch of the Golf Union of Ireland.”

East Londonderry MLA, David McClarty, said: “This recognition is richly deserved and will no doubt cap what has been an unbelievable year for Graeme McDowell.

“I know that efforts are being made to have a Doctor of Science (DSc) conferred on Graeme at a ceremony in Coleraine in the New Year and that it is hoped that another local boy made good – University of Ulster Chancellor James Nesbitt – will be present to do the honours if diaries permit.

“Rathmore Golf Club, his home town of Portrush and the entire Borough of Coleraine are all hugely proud of Graeme’s achievements and he is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when hard work and determination are allied to natural talent.”