Teesside-based professional Shannon O’Dwyer is aiming to finish the year on a high by sealing a place on tour – thanks to support from North East business Plastic Processing Ltd.
Shannon, who won two 2020ProTour events in the latter part of the season, is aiming to build on securing sponsorship by earning a place on the Ladies European Tour through Qualifying School in Morocco in December.
“The dream is to secure a card on the LET,” said 27-year-old Shannon. “It’s two years since I turned pro and I have dipped in and out of the LET Access Tour. I’d love to get a full LET card through Q School, but it is almost harder to secure that card in a very strong than it is to keep your card. I also have a goal of improving my status for next year. If you miss out on Final Qualifying at Q School, you can still gain full Access Tour status on the schedule. We will see.”
Shannon – who is attached to Wynyard Golf Club, is a member at Seaton Carew Golf Club, and works in Hartlepool Golf Club’s pro shop – will be heading to the 10-day Q School at Golf Club Rotana in Morocco, which begins with pre-qualifying December 10-12.
“I feel like I am getting better each week,” added Shannon, who is coached by Alex Wrigley and James Maw as well as performance coach Stuart Parnaby. “I didn’t have the best season but in the last couple of months I have been able to put a lot of hard work in. I have had a couple of good results and I’m feeling pretty good.”
Shannon followed up a 15th place finish in La Coruna on the Santander Tour with a tied-first place on the 2020ProTour at the JVS Classic at Wheatley, and then an outright victory in the Bonus Winter Event at the same venue.
“The support from Plastic Processing Ltd has enabled me to concentrate on my golf – before I was having to work more often,” added Shannon. “The perfect example is how I have been able to play a couple of events on the 2020ProTour which I normally wouldn’t have been able to. The support has given me greater preparation time. Patrick and Frances Connolly are so passionate about helping people and I am so thankful to them. They will never know how much that means.”
Patrick, co-owner of Plastic Processing, said: “We were so impressed by Shannon’s dedication and talent that we wanted to reach out and support her. It’s incredibly rewarding to back young athletes like Shannon. She achieved so much as an amateur and is already making great progress as a professional. We’re thrilled to play a part in her journey as she strives to achieve her sporting goals.”
