THE SHORT GAME: The annual classic in aid of The Friends of St Luke's Hospital will be held at Royal Dublin GC on Monday, April 29th. The format this year is a team of four (any combination) stableford.
The Friends of St Luke's Hospital was established in 1981 to help raise funds to enhance the care, comfort and management of cancer patients. With the help of the golf classic, the most recent project to be completed is the extension at Oakland Lodge, located in the grounds of the hospital. The Lodge is a new initiative in cancer care for the Irish heath service. It allows for complete privacy and independence while the full range of hospital and medical services are available close at hand. Due to the demand on this facility, it is hoped with the money raised from the golf classic and other events to fund another 10-room extension to The Lodge in the near future. For places on the time sheet contact Deirdre Hughes at 01-4065102.
Two eagles in hand are worth . . .
Charlesland member Michael Elliott recorded a notable double eagle while playing recently with his partner John D'Arcy in the fourball competition. He first chipped-in from 100 yards for an eagle three at the difficult, par five ninth hole. And amazingly he repeated the feat at the par five 15th, where he holed out from 80 yards for his second eagle of the round. These two shots helped Elliott and D'Arcy to return a betterball score of 45 points for 17 holes. Charlesland is undergoing major changes, which accounts for the competitions being played over 17 holes. The improvements will be completed in March and will add significantly to the growing reputation of the Co Wicklow club.
He's nearly Clynch-ed it
Laytown and Bettsytown's Jimmy Clynch takes a two-shot lead into the overall scores into today's Links Pro-Am at The Island. Clynch, at minus three, leads by two from the captain of Dundalk GC, Peter Rogers, and three from Co Louth's Barry Reddan in the race for the best 36 holes prize. Rogers is also in contention in the gross, where he is just one shot off the pace set by Irish international Noel Fox (Portmarnock). Fox is on level par for 36 holes with Rogers on plus one and Jody Fanagan (Milltown) and Justin Kehoe (Birr) on plus two. Des Smyth, at minus four, is two shot clear of Neil Manchip in the professional gross 36-hole event, with Brendan McGovern (Headfort) next at plus one. Fox also leads in the team event over 54 holes. The Portmarnock player is on minus 24, one clear of Clynch and Alan Walton (The Island).
Former Lion honoured
Rathsallagh GC has elected former Ireland and Lions rugby star Dr Karl Mullen to Honorary Life Membership in recognition of his sporting achievements and the support he has given to the club. Dr Mullen is only the second person to be elected to honorary membership since the club was founded in 1995. Joseph O'Flynn senior, who had a major role in the foundation of Rathsallagh, was the first honorary member of the club.
The drinks are on Forde
A 31-year ambition was recently achieved by former Greystones GC captain Michael Forde when he scored his first hole-in-one since he began playing golf in his native Cork in 1969. And it came at the 148-metre 14th, where he holed out with his favourite five-wood. Afterwards it was drinks all round courtesy of Michael, a former member of Monkstown and Ballybunion Golf Clubs.
