Star Golfer McDowell Wins Ulster Degree

The University of Ulster is to confer an honorary doctorate on US Open champion and Ryder Cup hero, Graeme McDowell.

The Portrush golfer who became the first Northern Ireland professional to capture a Major title since Fred Daly's British Open success at Hoylake in 1947 will receive a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree at a ceremony in the New Year.

Ulster Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett said: "We are delighted that Graeme has accepted an honorary doctorate after what has been an amazing year for him on both sides of the Atlantic. Like our Chancellor, he is a local lad who through passion and determination has achieved excellence on the international stage," he said.

"He has been a terrific ambassador for Northern Ireland, Irish and European golf and has fulfilled the potential that many saw in him when he won the Ulster Boys Championship in 1996 and later the Haskins Award as the top collegiate golfer in the United States in 2002.

"I know people in his home club of Rathmore, in the Borough of Coleraine and Graeme's family are justifiably proud of his achievements - particularly at Pebble Beach where he became the first European winner of the US Open since Tony Jacklin's triumph in 1970 and only the second European winner since 1925.

"If that wasn't enough, he also managed to win the Welsh Open at Celtic Manor and then seal the decisive matchplay win for Europe against the United States during a nailbiting climax to the Ryder Cup on the same course."

Graeme will be joining Darren Clarke who received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2002.

As well as being passionate about golf, Graeme McDowell is equally passionate about two charities - the Multiple Sclerosis Society Northern Ireland and the international humanitarian charity GOAL.

(BMcC/GK)