G-Mac tees off at Milk Cup

FOOTBALL-loving US Open golf champion Graeme McDowell will open the Northern Ireland Milk Cup tournament this weekend.

The Manchester United fan says he is thrilled to be asked to kick off one of the biggest sporting events in the country.

"It's a huge honour for me right in my own back yard," says the Portrush man after competing in the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews in Scotland.

McDowell adds: "I have grown up with the Milk Cup and enjoyed watching games at the tournament over the years.

"As a Manchester United supporter I have always been thrilled with their unswerving loyalty to the competition and of course they have a fabulous record in the competition too."

McDowell, whose diary is now even more hectic since his Major triumph at Pebble Beach in California a month ago, is unable to take part in the traditional parade of competing teams but will be at Coleraine Showgrounds to greet the 900 plus players who will make their way into the ground on Sunday evening.

Tournament chairman Victor Leonard says: "We think it is fitting that a sporting star of Graeme's calibre should be our guest of honour this year.

"He has brought enormous prestige to the area by winning the US Open and we think it is the ideal way to salute his achievement. Local people are so proud of what he has achieved.

"Graeme is a football fan and it is a terrific thrill to have him with us for what promises to be another great week of outstanding entertainment."

G-Mac will be only the third person to open the event who is not directly involved in the game. The others were the late John Lynn, the Coleraine man who was responsible for securing sponsorship from the Northern Ireland Milk Marketing Board – the forerunner of the Dairy Council – and Ulster and Ireland rugby legend David Humphreys.

One of the 54 competing teams, Junior hopefuls Aspire, are already in Coleraine ahead of the event. They jetted in from Qatar last Friday well ahead of the Academy's Premier squad which will touch down on Sunday just hours ahead of the welcome parade.

Victor Leonard says: "More and more teams are arriving earlier which is good news for the region.

"We have national teams from China and Japan competing in Northern Ireland for the first time and the quality of entry is exceptional.

"I hope that everyone will provide a warm welcome to our visitors and enjoy the opening ceremony which is a wonderful spectacle."

The parade of players and officials begins at The Diamond in Coleraine at 7pm on Sunday and makes its way through the town centre to the Showgrounds with teams parading onto the pitch from 7.30pm.

The action in three age groups kicks off on Monday and concludes on Friday, July 30.