The wisdom of increasing the maximum women's handicap from 36 to 45 has been questioned by many and the sceptics were given ample evidence to back their argument in last week's strokeplay competition at Kilrush.

Margaret Hehir returned 67 off 21 and might have hoped for victory. However, she was beaten into third place by Liz Rigney who had a better back nine in her 67 off 21. Both cards were made to look very ordinary by the 52 nett returned by 45 handicapper Miriam Saunders, the winner by an astonishing 15 shots.

The score represented a neat 18 under par and with placing in operation she won't be cut automatically. There must be a case for taking a few shots off on `observation' before the queue of men looking to play with Miriam in the mixed foursomes grows too long.