Short briefs from the golf world
Exciting times at Tramore
TRAMORE GOLF CLUB will open their new nine-hole extension to the course on Thursday next with a unique "Skins" match that will see the women take on the men over the new demanding layout.
Current Irish men's senior captain Michael Burns and three-times Irish Close champion Eddie Power take on former Irish Close champion and Curtis Cup player Suzie O'Brien and former Interprovincial star Catherine Bird.
All four players are members of the club, with Burns, Power and O'Brien enjoying honorary membership following their extraordinary golfing exploits over the years.
The extension to the course is phase one of a three-year development plan that will see Tramore's championship layout extended to a 27-hole facility.
Designed by Jeff Howes, the project, costing € 3.5 million, has been proceeding according to plan and the club will then take nine of the current holes out of play in order to commence their upgrading to USGA standards.
These holes are expected to be completed by next year to allow for the final phase which will see the remaining nine holes upgraded.
"This is a very exciting time for Tramore Golf Club," said club captain Roger Kennedy.
"The project has been very much on schedule and everyone is looking forward to the opening of the new nine holes."
The club will host a festival of golf over the weekend to allow the members to experience the new layout and all proceeds from the weekend will be donated to the South East Cancer Foundation.
Harte shoots 57 points but loses
EMER HARTE shot the lights out at Deer Park recently in Gwen Freehill's Lady Captain's Prize, losing an incredible eight shots on her way to a score of 57 points. Playing fantastic golf off a handicap of 34, Harte recorded a gross total of 85 which included seven pars. And after her amazing round she saw her handicap reduced to 26.
Sadly, however, for Harte - who has just returned to playing sport after a long lay-off following a snapped Achilles tendon - she couldn't claim the Lady Captain's Prize as she hasn't been a member of the club for the required two years, so victory was claimed by Ann Forde (30), a long-time member of the club, who had 43 points for her first success in the Lady Captain's, while Betty McMullen was the gross winner. The class winners on the day were Una Glynn (22) with 42 points, Eva Lawlor (31) with 43 points and Anne Kelly (36) with 42 points. But all the talk around the Howth club was of Harte's unbelievable round.
AT THE Munster Girls' Championship in Mallow on Friday leading qualifier Patrice Delaney won the De Courcey Cup in a thrilling match, defeating Elcin Ula of Turkey on the 18th to claim the match 1up.
Caldwell heads strong Irish side
JONATHAN CALDWELL, who holed the winning putt at Western Gailes Golf Club in 2007 which saw Ireland win the European Amateur Team Championship for the fifth time, will lead a strong Ireland side in defence of the title at the Royal Park GC in Turin next week (July 1st-5th).
Shane Lowry and Gareth Shaw were both on the winning side last year, while Paul Cutler, Niall Kearney and recently crowned Irish champion Paul O'Hanlon step up to European level having played a part in the Home Internationals at Co Louth last year. The championship will be played on the Robert Trent Jones Snr course at Royal Park GC in Turin. Situated in the Mandria Nature Park, it was laid out in 1971 by Jones. Surrounded by the Alps and by forests and an ancient hunting reserve that gave the course its name, the Royal Park Golf Club is an ideal setting.
IRELAND: Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye), Paul Cutler (Portstewart), Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin), Shane Lowry (Esker Hills), Paul OHanlon (Curragh), Gareth Shaw (Lurgan).
Non-playing captain: Michael Burns (Tramore).
Morrow adds to his haul
IRISH SENIORS champion Adrian Morrow added the European Seniors Championship title to his list of honours at the Oceanico Old Course, Vilamoura, as Irish players made a clean sweep of the top awards in Portugal.
The Portmarnock man, who opened with 69 and 73, signed for a final round 69 to leave him on eight-under-par 211 for the championship, finishing three shots clear of British Seniors Champion Arthur Pierse, who finished on five-under-par 214.
A wonderful day for Irish Seniors golf was completed as Maurice Kelly from Killeen Golf Club finished in third position on level par 219, ahead of another Irishman, Liam MacNamara, who ended the 54-hole tournament on 221.
Co Louth's Barry Reddan also made it into the top 10 on 226.
The trio of Morrow, Kelly and Pierse played the final round together in the last group of the day, and the quality of golf was outstanding.
Morrow carded five birdies and just one bogey on his way to victory, while Pierse started with a double bogey six on the first, and followed it up with five birdies in the next eight holes to remain in contention and birdied two of the last five holes to finish in second place.
Westmanstown defend title
AFTER the success of the inaugural Ward League, the 2008 competition for the Ward Shield tees-off in Roganstown GC on July 2nd.
Seven teams of under-18s from Meath and Dublin will be participating.
Run on a league basis, each of the clubs - Sutton, Laytown and Bettystown, Westmanstown, Ashbourne, Black Bush and Roganstown - will host a round of the event.
The holders are Westmanstown, who will be anxious to complete the double after beating Black Bush to the title last year.
King takes shortened Galway event
THE RELAUNCHED Galway Senior Scratch Cup tournament played on Saturday ended literally with a bang when the second round, which was building up to a close and exciting finish, had to be abandoned at a very late stage due to a severe lightning storm. In the interest of safety, it was decided to call the players ashore.
The final outcome was decided on the first-round results and the very worthy winner in a star-studded field was Mark King from Athenry GC, who posted an excellent level par score of 70 in difficult wet and windy conditions.
Runner-up was John Moreton from Galway on 73, with Andrew Hogan (Newlands) 73, Shane Lowry (Esker Hills) 74 and Aaron O'Callaghan (Douglas) 74 filling the next places. The nett winner was Damien Coyne from Galway with 74 off a one handicap.
SOME places are still available for the annual Loughnane Sisters trophy at Birr Golf Club, Co Offaly tomorrow. The Format is scotch foursomes - all proceeds to the Offaly Hospice Foundation. Entry fee € 20 per pair. Phone 057-9120082.
