IRISH international Eavan Higgins faces some powerful challengers in her quest to retain the Munster Women's Championship at Thurles this week. Among her rivals for the crown are national champion Barbara Hackett and Curtis Cup player Eileen Rose Power.

Indeed, Hackett and Power will be using the Munster championship as a launchpad for representative honours this season. Apart from the Europeans and Home Internationals, the pair are also in line for the Britain and Ireland Vagliano Trophy team to play the continent of Europe in Halmstad, Sweden, next July.

The competitive nature of the Munster championship is reflected in the presence in the field of seven players with handicaps of one or better Power (plus 2), Hackett (plus 1), Ada O'Sullivan (plus 1), Higgins (scratch), Joanne O'Haire (1), British Women's Seniors champion Valerie Hassett (1) and Brigid Gleeson Healy (1).

. Royal Dublin's Des Downey has struck a golden streak in recent days. Last Wednesday, the seven handicapper scored a hole in one at the sixth hole in the club's singles competition and, on Saturday, he teamed up with Jack McCullagh (9) to lead the Dudley Cup foursomes qualifiers.

. The ILGU is sending a six strong team to compete in the Scottish Women's Open Championship at Royal Troon next weekend consisting of Elaine Dowdall (Wexford), Paula Gorman (Elm Park), Sinead Keane (Curragh), Alison Coffey (Westport), Yvonne Cassidy (Dundalk) and Hazel Kavanagh (Grange).

. The Old Head Golf Links at Kinsale is offering local residents books of discounted green fees for the spectacular new course. The green fee vouchers are available on a first come first served basis in books of 12, 20 or 50 costing from £480 per book. Contact Deirdre Barry on 021-778 444.