Curtis rubs shoulders with golf heroes

The golf-mad Newtownabbey lad was one of three lucky competition winners selected to play at the event.

He met stars like Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell on the day and played alongside Thailand’s Thongchia Jaidee who recently won the Wales Open.

For Kinney, who is from Glengormley, it was also the first time he had played Portrush. “I was delighted to win the competition and get to play at the Pro-Am. It was a good experience for me - one of the best of my life so far,” he told the Times.

Curtis, 16, is hoping to be accepted for a place at the Darren Clarke School of Golf, based at Greenmount, in August.