Jack Hearn crowned April winner of Waterford Sports Awards
Tramore GC's Jack Hearn (second from left) with his Irish team-mates after their European win. Jack is the Waterford Sports Award winner for April.
Jack Hearn is the April winner of the Waterford Sports Awards, in association with WLR and the Granville Hotel.
The Carrick-born golfer represented Ireland at the Men’s European Nations Championship in Spain, and played a key part in the winning Irish team with Sean Keeling, Matt McClean and Hugh Foley in the prestigious international tournament.
Hearn, who found his feet at Tramore Golf Club, finished third in the tournament on an individual level - spearheading the Irish cause in a tournament that includes Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Francesco Molinari in the roll of honour.
Speaking on accepting the award, Hearn said: “It’s great, I’m delighted to win it. Anytime you get an award based in your own county, it's a good sign that you're on the right track and doing a lot of good stuff. I was delighted to find out about it.” A busy few weeks lie ahead for Hearn, and the Maynooth University student is hopeful that he can make a real mark on the amateur game before 2024 comes to a close.
“The main thing that I try to do is just put in the work - and then when it comes to competition, just relax and see what happens. I just want to continue representing Ireland and maybe get a couple of wins under my belt by the end of the year. That would be the ultimate goal.” Jack held a one-shot lead in the individual standings heading into the final round and while he closed with a three-over 75 to finish three strokes behind Wales’ James Ashfield on two-under, his tie for third was key Ireland snatched the team prize by a single shot.
Non-playing Irish team captain Niall MacSweeney was full of praise for the Tramore GC golfer at the end of a gruelling competition. “Jack was our star man this week, probably personally disappointed not to have closed out the individual win. But nonetheless, a highly respectable tied third. Fantastic play this week from Jack.
“His 71 yesterday was as good a 71 as you will ever see in unbelievably testing conditions. When we were struggling a bit, he hung in there and then finished it off brilliantly with a great up and down on 18.
“Again today, he finished with four really solid pars to give us the win by the shot.” Each month, an outstanding sports star will be crowned the winner of the monthly WLR Granville Waterford Sports Awards.
The 12 monthly recipients will then gather for a black-tie Gala Banquet at the Granville Hotel in January 2025, where the first WLR Granville Waterford Sports Star of the Year will be revealed.
