The Short Game: Ireland will be looking for a return to the form that saw them win back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004 when they tee-up in the Women's Home Internationals at Frilford Heath, Oxfordshire tomorrow.

Six of the eight players who competed in this year's Curtis Cup will be competing and with three of these players - Tricia Mangan, Martina Gillen and Claire Coughlan - in the side, Ireland will be looking for further success.

England have included four of the players who won last year at Dundalk - Naomi Edwards, Felicity Johnson, Kerry Smith and Sophie Walker - while Wales call on Curtis Cup player Breanne Loucks and national champion Stephanie Evans.

Scotland last won in 1991 at Aberdovey where they successfully defended the title they had won at Hunstanton. This year Scotland have selected a strong squad which includes Curtis Cup reserves Heather MacRae and Krystle Caithness, winner of this year's St Rule Trophy. Ireland take on England tomorrow, Scotland on Thursday and Wales on Friday.

Macreddin's novel idea

Macreddin Golf Club, Co Wicklow, Paul McGinley's first designed course, has come up with a novel idea for new members prior to the course opening next summer. New members, who have purchased their debenture share (€30,000 per share) before the end of the month, will be invited to the Volvo Masters at Valderrama next month. There they will see their course designer McGinley defending his title. The group will fly out on Wednesday October 24th and will play a 12-hole competition, watch McGinley play on Thursday, have another 18-hole competition on Friday before returning on Saturday morning. Details available from David Leach, Macreddin Golf Club. Tel: 0402-36999.

Ryder Cup value

Looking for Ryder Cup value, then the Castle GC in Dublin has one of the best offers. On Tuesday next (September 19th) the club will run a four-person team event. The cost is €200 per team - good value considering green fees at the South Dublin venue is €80. The time-sheet is available at 01-4904207.

And on the subject of good value Castlebar GC are currently offering a unique package to American visitors for the Ryder Cup. They will be offered free green fees for the week prior to the Ryder Cup. For further details and tee-time reservations contact Dave at 094 9021649.

Craddockstown busy

Craddockstown GC will have three teams in the AA Insurance-sponsored ILGU National Championships play-off at Greenore GC on Tuesday next. In the Senior Foursomes they take on City of Derry with a place in the semi-final against Limerick awaiting the winners. The Intermediate Cup team take on Belvoir Park while the Junior Cup team play Royal Belfast. In the other play-off matches Hazel Grove play Shandon Park in the Junior Foursomes; Rossmore play Malahide in the Minor Cup while Lucan pit their skills against Shandon Park in the Challenge Cup.

First pennant for Killeen

Killeen GC won their first pennant in the short history of the club when capturing the Straffan Cup at The K Club last week. In a closely fought final they beat Black Bush 3½ -1½ .

Joe Forbes and Matt Critchley set Killeen on the winning path with a comfortable 5 and 4 win over Philip Cunningham and Robbie Redmond only for Séamus Morrison and Derek Kickham to square the tie with a two-hole win over Nick Carberry and Tom Keenan.

However, the remaining three matches all went Killeen's way with Noel Kavanagh and Ian Kelly coming from three down to win 2 and 1 against Kevin Baxter and Séamus Nolan in the top match. Kieran Barry and Brian Maher were 3 and 2 winners over Tommy McDaid and Ken Savage while Tommy Wade and Dermot O'Duffy were called in against Terry Murray and Brendan Hall with the Killeen pair three up.

The win rounded off a fine week for manager Derek Whelan who, the previous week, won the Red Bull 5 (hole) national final at Headfort GC, to qualify for the international final at the Pinehurst course, North Carolina.

Powerscourt's great day

Last Monday was a day to remember for Powerscourt's senior members, winning two inter-club pennants on the same day. At Westmanstown GC the team, managed by Don Casey, competed in the All-Ireland final of the Jimmy Carroll Cup winning the Leinster pennant, and finishing a close second (122 to 124 pts) to All-Ireland winners Ballybofey GC out of an entry of some 100 clubs.

Meanwhile, the team managed by John Power, and including the club captain Oliver Maloney, were winners of the Old Conna Seniors Final ahead of Kilternan.

McAllister's fine show

Aengus McAllister (Portmarnock) and Catherine Tucker (Limerick) were the top Irish finishers in the world university golf championships at Circolo Golf Torino in Italy.

Ireland finished fifth behind Japan, the US and Britain in the men's team event while the women finished ninth behind winners US.

McAllister, in fourth place, had rounds of 69, 75, 67 and 69 for a 280 total - seven shots behind Japan's Yuta Ideda and Taipei's Chen-Chih Chiang who both shot 15-under-par 273. Tucker placed 24th 311 after rounds of 77, 76, 77 and 81.

Repeat for Castle

Defending champions Castle registered back-to-back victories in the Menolly Homes ILGU Inter-Club Fourball after beating Waterford 2.5 to 1.5 in the final at Mount Juliet last Thursday. Brenda Corcoran and Nellie Dunphy drew first blood for the Munster side with a 2 and 1 victory over Maria Beaton and Niamh Leonard.

However, Castle showed true grit to secure the third match on the 15th when Sally Lenehan and Martha Jones defeated Susan Murphy and Carmel J Walsh. All eyes then focused on the the experienced pairing of Yvonne Managhan and Anne Vella who eventually closed out the formidable pairing of Bettina Jeffers and Bri Monaghan on the final green.

Once the final match on the course completed the 17th hole without defeat for the Castle paring of Sinead Heraty and Anne Tynan, and Waterford could not make up the three-hole deficit, the two pairings were called-in. In the semi-finals Castle had beaten Ballybofey and Stranorlar, while Waterford beat Birr.

Melia a slender winner

Melia a slender winner

Howth's Dermot Melia was a slender winner of the North Dublin Golf Club Captains' Association President's Prize at Clontarf last Friday. Playing off 22, Melia fired 39 points to win Jim McClean's prize by a single shot from The Island's Pat Dooley (15), while Martin Kelly (10) of the host club finished third also on 38 points, with Humphrey Kelleher (11) of The Island next best on 37 points. The Seniors winner was Dermot Toomey with 36 points playing off 10, with 19 handicapper Pat Loughman from Clontarf winning the Veterans Prize with 34 points. Next up for the Association is their Christmas outing to St Anne's on Tuesday December 5th.

Role reversal

There was a bit of role reversal at Hollystown golf club in Dublin recently between two of the lady members. First in the club championship, played over 27 holes, 27 handicapper Marian Delaney >turn of Guildea to win. Playing off 15 she fired 37 points to win, while Delaney, now playing off two less on 25, had to settle for the runner-up spot with 31 points.

Double joy for Molloy

You would have thought that a couple of shots on your handicap might just lessen your chances of winning, but not for Ashbourne's Bernadette Molloy who registered back-to-back wins recently. Win number one came last Thursday week when she was a runaway winner of the singles event. Playing off 29 she fired a superb 42 points to win by eight points from second placed Mary Cuffe (26). That win cost her two shots, but back she came on the following Sunday for win number two, this time with 41 points and a three point winning margin.