Carlow Golf Club have added an extra incentive for competitors in this weekend's Ulster Bank-sponsored Midland Scratch Cup. In a novel challenge, any competitor who can break par in any round on the demanding Carlow course will have their entry fee refunded.
Carlow, buoyed by their victory in the Barton Shield final at Dundalk last week, will be hoping for their first home success since Jim McVeigh in 1980. Included in a top class field are Jason Farrell, Peter Murphy and Phonsie McCarron.
Also in the field will be two sons of former Carlow professional Christy O'Connor jnr, Nigel and Darren, both three handicappers from the Galway Bay Club.
One player with good form for the event is Tony Smith from The Island. Smith set a new course record at The Island last Saturday when he shot a four-under par 67, which included an eagle two at the 18th in the first round of the Club Championship. As holder for the past three years, Smith will be anxious to retain his Island title, and he must also start as one of the favourites at Carlow. [SBX]
IN THE week that Kerry chase the Sam Maguire, Keith Moran, a member of last year's Kerry Vocational Schools' football team which was beaten in the All-Ireland final, has already chalked up a unique double. The 19-year-old has won the President's and Captain's prizes at Waterville Golf Club this year.
Moran won the President's Prize last month and on Saturday he led the field home again in the Captain's (Michael O'Dwyer) prize with a magnificent 41 points off a 12 handicap. Even more remarkable was the fact that the runner-up on both occasions was Karl O'Dwyer, a son of legendary footballer Mick O'Dwyer.
The guest prize went to Ger Power, a star of many years on All-Ireland-winning Kerry teams. The best score of the day was returned by junior member, Denis Everitt, with 42 points. However, being a junior member he was not eligible for the main prize.
Marie O'Donnell from Donegal added the Irish Ladies Seniors Championship to her long list of successes when she took the title at Athlone last week. O'Donnell won by three shots, from Bernice Ringrose (Killiney) and Vivien Wallace (Castle), to take the Marie Lyster Cup. The Eileen Connolly Cup for the best nett went to Maureen Nolan of the Castle with a 76.
Mount Juliet and the David Ledbetter Academy are combining in a series of packages for the winter golfer. A game of golf at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course followed by dinner is available for £55. And there are further incentives for society or corporate groups. For a minimum of 30 people, transport to and from the course, 18 holes of golf, your swing recorded on video and dinner will cost £75 per head.
It has been a year to remember for Portumna Golf Club. Their juniors won the Connacht foursomes and were unfortunate to lose in the All-Ireland final. Not to be outdone, their women members, the current holders of the Ulster Bank All-Ireland fourball, have reached the final again. And on Sunday last their men won the Cecil Ewing Shield for the first time after a play-off in the final against Tubbercurry.
It was a particularly memorable occasion for Paddy Kelly. He has been involved with the team for the past 10 years without success and, indeed, was manager last year when they didn't get beyond the first round. But this year his partnership with Ian Dorvan proved to be the team's ace card.
They were unbeaten throughout the competition and when both sides finished level at 5-5 after the second leg in Tubbercurry on Sunday, Paddy and Ian were the obvious choices for the play-off against the home pair of Jerry Quinn and Tommy Kelly.
At the par four play-off hole, neither pairing reached the green in regulation, but Paddy Kelly's approach shot left his partner with a 10-foot putt for par. Tommy Kelly found the bunker in three and while his partner played a good bunker shot, the Tubbercurry pair were left with a four-foot, downhill putt for a bogey five.
Portumna's Dorvan rolled his putt to six inches and Tubbercurry conceded the putt for a five. The pressure was back on the home side. They needed to hole this difficult putt to take the match down the 20th. But Tommy Kelly's putt rolled by the hole and Portumna clinched the title.
There was quite a family battle for honours in the weekly women's singles competition at The Island. Victory went to Fiona McShane (19) who had a fine score of 40 points over the difficult links. But she had just one point to spare over her younger sister, Sheelagh who plays off 28.
A new five-bay, floodlit driving range has been opened at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Golf and Country Club. The range is open to residents, members and visitors. Under the direction of resident PGA professional Liam McCool, it includes the latest video swing analysis and will cater for all levels of golfers.
Although his role as Honorary Secretary of the GUI demands plenty of time for paperwork, Gerry O'Brien has - yet again - shown he retains a competitive edge on the course, too.
Last week, Gerry, playing off 16, and nine-handicapper son John teamed up to win the father and son foursomes matchplay at Portmarnock Golf Club, their fourth time to win the coveted competition. The O'Briens beat Kevin McGrath and his son, Kevin jnr, in the final.
"I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for this sort of competition, but it is still very rewarding and John played some terrific golf throughout," said Gerry. Their previous successes in the event came in 1983, 1989 and 1993.
