Shay’s Short Game: Four way tie at the Ballyliffin Pro-Am

Four way tie at the Ballyliffin Pro-Am

It was a four-way tie with Damien McGrane, Eamonn Brady (Clontarf GC), Simon Thornton and Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge GC) sharing first place at the two-day Ballyliffin Pro-Am.

The quartet avoided the worst of Sunday’s afternoon storms that battered the Donegal venue, with Thornton producing a best of the day seven under par 64.

Defending champion Kilpatrick fired rounds of 73 and 68, Brady 75, 66, McGrane 71 and 70 and Thornton 77 and 64 to finish the tournament on two under par.

Alex Wrigley (Hartlepool GC) finished alone in fifth on one under par following rounds of 72 and 70 with Tim Rice (Limerick GC) in sixth after rounds of 75 and 68.

Overnight leader, Andy Hogan (Edmondstown ), slipped down the field, following up his opening round 70 with a seven over 78 that left him in a share of 13th place.

David Ryan (Cahir Park GC) and amateurs partners Francis McCarthy, Noel Finn and James McCarthy with 178 points won a trip to Monte Rei Resort courtesy of finishing first in the team even t.

Victories for Ulster and Munster

Ulster and Munster were celebrating after victories in the Boys’ Interprovincial Championships in Tullamore.

Ulster took the under-18 title thanks to a 6½-3½ win against Leinster as Marc McKinstry , Patrick Brennan and Jack Madden impressed during a comprehensive victory.

Munster finished second after beating Connacht 6-4, however, their under-16 side went one better. Edward Walsh (1 hole) and Ian Halpin (2 holes) secured vital points as they edged Connacht 3-2 on the final day.

Flood gets her yardages right

Helen Flood, mother of Ronan, who caddies for Padraig Harrington, got all her yardages right in recent events at Stackstown GC.

A hole-in-one in the monthly medal was followed by success in the Lady President's (Eilish Kieran) prize. Helen carded 38 points to claim top spot while Mary Grogan won class one with 36 points, Deirdre Ryan with 35 won class two while Mary Hunt on 37points, the second best score of the day, won class three. Rebecca Rush won the gross.

Sutton takes Ulster Over 30’s

David Sutton from Lurgan won the Ulster Over 30's Open Championship at Malone GC with rounds of 73, 71 and 70 for 214 with Connor Doran (Banbridge) second on 217 after carding 72, 71 and 74. Noel Crawford from Mourne ( 75 71 73) was third on 219, the same mark as Eddie McCormack from Galway Bay with 71, 79 and 69.

Debutant Callaghan brothers take home prize

There were several new winners at the National Siblings Competition held in Kilmashogue GC, Rathfarnham.

Brothers Vincent and Rory Callaghan from Ballinamore and Slade Valley clinched the brothers' trophy in what was their first time entering the competition beating last year's winners Ian (Kilmashogue) and Ross (Rathfarnham) Williams on countback.

Local sisters, who play in Kilmashogue GC, Anne Gildea and Pauline Mahony entered for the first time this year and won the Sisters' Competition. Captain of the Ladies' club Deirdra Healy along with past Captain Elaine Healy came second.

In the Brother and Sister Section, John Baker (Kilmashogue) and his sister Marian Manley (Roganstown) retained their title.

Clontarf named as venue for Lord Mayor’s Cup

The Applegreen LowFuelcard Lord Mayor’s Cup will take place at Clontarf Golf Club from Sunday August 7th to Saturday August 13th. The brainchild of the then Lord Mayor of Dublin, the late Jack Belton, a former Captain of Clontarf Golf Club, the Lord Mayor’s Cup has been competed for by golfers of distinction since 1951 including former Ryder Cup star Philip Walton.

The competition is open to players of affiliated golf clubs who hold a handicap of four to nine at the date of the qualifying round.

The prepaid entry fee is € 25 per player. The timesheet is now open at www.clontarfgolfclub.ie or 01-833 1892.

Mark’s Power wanes at the European Young Masters

Mark Power has had a great season, winning the Peter McEvoy Trophy and the Irish Boys Championship but he suffered the disappointing side of the game last week when a final hole triple bogey forced him to settle for a share of fourth spot in the European Young Masters.

Two clear overnight, the Kilkenny teenager went to the turn in two under with two birdies and two bogeys on his card at Golf Club du Domaine Impérial in Switzerland.

After following bogeys at the 10th and 11th with birdies at the par-five 13th and 16th to get to four under, he was leading the tournament briefly again only to take seven at the 18th and ended up carding a three over 75 to share fourth on one under par.

He ended his week three behind winner and playing partner Adrien Dumont de Chassart, who finished birdie-birdie-par to win by one on four under.

Rosslare's John Brady was tied 24th after a 77 while in the Girls' category, Lurgan's Annabel Wilson was sixth after a 74.