While many parts of the Northern Hemisphere are covered in thick blankets of snow or frost, it’s a testament to the rich diversity of the amateur game that tournaments continue to be played in all corners of the world.
SHORT GAME: Many wouldn't associate Uruguay and the royal and ancient game, for example, yet Uruguayan Juan Alvarez takes the headlines this week for winning the Abierto Ciudad de Montevideo in his homeland. Alvarez made the most significant improvement on this week's World Amateur Golf Ranking, climbing 63 places to number 123 following victory in one of his country's most prestigious tournaments.
India’s Viraj Madappa won the All-India Junior Championship and rises 70 places in this week’s ranking to world No 682. Ireland’s Alan Dunbar is ranked 30th.
Carr Golf events expect 200 teams will take part
Carr Golf events are expecting some 200 teams to participate in their events this year, starting with the World Invitational Father and Daughter at Doonbeg GC and Lahinch GC from July 17th to 20th.
In August, the main event on Carr Golf’s Calendar is the World Invitational Father and Son Tournament, which will be held, once again, at Waterville Golf Links, Co Kerry, from August 7th to 11th.
Finally, from September 21st-25th, the Celtic Couples Challenge will take place at British Open venues Turnberry and Troon.
Details are available at carrgolf.com.
World award for Adare golf resort
Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort has become the first Irish property to win a World Travel Award, with the honour of “World’s Leading Boutique Golf Resort” bestowed on the Limerick property at the recent World Travel Awards, in New Delhi, India.
This award bestows international recognition of the course, accommodation and services offered at Adare Manor.
The awards, which have been in existence for 19 years, have been hailed as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry” by the Wall Street Journal, and WTA is recognised worldwide as the ultimate travel accolade.
Its 2012 Grand Tour featured regional heats in Dubai (UAE), Turks and Caicos Islands, the Algarve (Portugal) and Singapore, with the winners from these competing head-to-head at the grand final.
Captain Joyce cracks it at Tuam
Tuam Lady Captain Siobhán Joyce may be coming to the end of her term in office, but recently she proved her responsible position wasn’t going to interfere with her golf as she won the ladies’ Christmas cracker competition with a fine score of 31 points, off a handicap of 22, for 14 holes.
She was a comfortable winner, with second-placed Mary Bollard (22) three points back, while the other class winners on the day were Joan Tighe, Sarita Glynn and Eileen Coyne.
Joyce’s good form also saw her finish third in the Winter League, where she was behind winner Ann Higgins and second placed Josephine Cleary.
Alabama coach excited to sign up Moynihan
Alabama head men’s golf coach Jay Seawell announced the signing of Irish Amateur Champion Gavin Moynihan for the 2013 recruiting class last week.
“I am excited to have Gavin as a part of the Alabama golf family,” Seawell said. “He is the Irish Amateur Champion and one of the top players in Ireland. With the way Irish golf is going worldwide right now, I think he is someone who can step right in for us and do the things we need to help us continue our pursuit of winning championships.”
Moynihan, from The Island GC, boasts a long list of successes. He won the 2012 Irish Amateur at the Royal Dublin Golf Club and followed that victory by capturing the Peter McEvoy Trophy.
He was a member of the European Junior Ryder Cup in 2012 and played for the Irish Men’s National Team at the World Amateur this past October in Turkey.
He won the 2012 Faldo Series European Final and finished third at the Junior Players Championship in 2011.
Cotter sweeps the board at Powerscourt
Valerie Cotter of Powerscourt Ladies Golf Club has just completed a fantastic year.
In only her second year as a member of the club, she swept the board at the recent prize-giving.
Playing consistently off a handicap of nine, she won the Lady Captain’s (Bernie Browne) Prize, the Captain’s (Gus Cummins) Prize, the Scratch Cup, the ILGU Silver Spoon and the ILGU Silver Medal, which took her a long way clear in the Golfer of the Year.
skeenan@irishtimes.com
