Connacht Tribune
Galway coach’s pride as Leona Maguire creates history with first-ever Irish LPGA Tour win
While golfer Leona Maguire created history by becoming the first Irish woman to win on the LPGA Tour last weekend, one Galway man had particularly good reason to join in the celebrations
Because former Ballinasloe Golf Club member and PGA professional Shane O’Grady has been 27-year-old Leona’s coach for the past 17 years – and this week described her achievement as a very proud moment for both of them.
Shane (52), who has been named among the top 50 golf coaches in the world, has worked with Leona since she was just ten years of age even at that stage, he could see that she was an exceptional talent.
Indeed some of the best up-and-coming amateurs and professionals have visited Shane at his coaching academy in Blackbush Golf Club where he has been Head Professional for the past 26 years.
But he described Leona Maguire’s victory on the LPGA Tour at Fort Myers in Florida as ‘the icing on the cake’ – although he admitted he missed not being there to savour the moment.
“We had been working together through video link while she was on the driving range in Fort Myers last week and whatever we did seemed to work,” Shane told The Connacht Tribune.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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