Bridgestone Order of Merit men’s champion, David Shiel, says adding his name to an illustrious roll of honour makes his 2023 all the more significant.

The Enniscrone golfer was at Golf Ireland HQ along with Bridgestone Order of Merit women’s champion, Emma Fleming, as they celebrated two outstanding domestic campaigns. 

Fleming made a fast start in the Scratch Cups and her year culminated in a brilliant Intervarsity success at Laytown & Bettystown. The Elm Park youngster, and UCD student, had already secured her silverware at that stage.

Meanwhile, Shiel was also revelling in his success and subsequent call-up to the Golf Ireland High Performance squad. The 34-year-old finished T8 at the North of Ireland in Royal Portrush to win the Bridgestone Order of Merit.

Shiel also reached the quarter-finals of the South of Ireland, the Last 16 of the West of Ireland, finished T6 in the East of Ireland and made all nine cuts in the championships he played.

And after featuring in the Irish Home Internationals team for the first time he was thrilled to join some of the world’s best who have previously won this trophy.

 Fleming also produced a phenomenal season where she regularly featured towards the top of the standings and was recognised for her achievements with a first Irish senior call-up.

The 18-year-old showed brilliant form in the Scratch Cups early in the year and finished third in the Ulster Stroke Play, her consistent form meant she had enough to finish at the top of the Bridgestone Order of Merit standings.

Fleming also played in the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, she finished seventh in the Flogas Irish Women’s Open and will also be part of the Golf Ireland High Performance squad in 2024.