Robin Dawson to represent Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links
Robin Dawson (centre) with Conor Russell (PGA professional) and Barry O’Connor (Resort Director) at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

Robin Dawson (centre) with Conor Russell (PGA professional) and Barry O’Connor (Resort Director) at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

Robin Dawson has signed a two-year contract to represent Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links as its touring professional.

He will wear the Portmarnock Links crest as he competes around the world this season.

The Waterford native, 21, had a glittering amateur career before turning professional last September, securing his full Challenge Tour card for the 2019 season, as well as European Tour status, through European Tour Qualifying School.

He finished his amateur career with a remarkable 2018 season that saw him rise to sixth in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. During the year, he won the Flogas Irish Open Championship at Royal County Down and finished runner up in The Amateur Championship and second in the European Amateur Championships.

Robin Dawson

Robin Dawson

As well as representing Europe in the Bonallack Trophy, he was selected for Great Britain and Ireland for the St Andrews Trophy and represented Ireland in both the World Amateur Team Championships and the Home Internationals.

In previous years he triumphed in the World University Championships (2016), the European University Championships (2015) and the Irish Boys Amateur Open (2013).

“Portmarnock Links is one of my favourite courses and for me to now be their Touring Professional, is a huge honour”, Dawson said.

"It is a golf course that I have spent a lot of time on, and it is one of the best tests of links golf that there is. It is clear that all of the team's hard work has come to fruition and I am excited to showcase Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links on the international golfing stage."

Barry O'Connor, the Resort Director at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, said: "He is an exceptional young man and we have no doubt that he is going to be one of a new generation of Irish professionals that will fly the Irish flag proudly throughout the golfing world.

"We were delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Robin, and it was one of the easiest decisions that we have had to make. We look forward to following Robin and sharing in the success that we are confident he will achieve."

Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, once the family home of the Jameson Dynasty, has enjoyed a major redevelopment programme in recent years with significant investment made in both the course and the hotel itself.

The golf course, which was designed by Bernhard Langer, has hosted several tournaments, including two Ladies Irish Opens in the build-up to Ireland's hosting of the Solheim Cup in 2011.