Consistent Kelly reaps his reward
THE final RaboDirect Hilary outing for 2011 was held in Sutton Golf Club and once again there was some fantastic scoring on the testing links in North Dublin. Slade Valley’s Terry Lilly led the way with 67 to win by two shots from Royal Dublin’s Simon Clarke. Clarke’s clubmate, Paddy Walshe finished a shot further back in third place with a fine 70.
Sutton Golf Club has recently undergone some radical changes to the par four fourth hole and when Dundalk’s Caolan Rafferty signed for a one-under-par 69 to win the gross prize, he also claimed the new amateur course record in the process. Gary Cullen, from Beaverstown, also shot 69 to claim the new professional course record.
The team event was won on 58 by local Derek Downie, Joe Hutton (Corrstown), James Hunt (Clontarf) and Balbriggans David Brabazon.
The overall series winner of the Gold Medal (nett scores) was Gerard Kelly (Co Louth/UCD) who led from the first event in Laytown. Kelly shot some fantastic scores over the series and despite his +2 handicap captured his first Hilary gold medal.
The Niall O’Brien silver medal (gross scores) was won by Eoin Arthurs from Forrest Little and the Professional section was won by Gary Cullen (Beaverstown).
Busy schedule for Irish teams
THE six players selected to compete in the Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham and St Annes (April 29th to May 1st) are: Paul Cutler (Portstewart), Alan Dunbar (Rathmore), Luke Lennox (Moyola Park), Paul Dunne (Greystones), Dermot McElroy (Ballymena) and Kevin Phelan (Waterford Castle)
Meanwhile the team to compete in the Four Nations Development Matches at Royal Musselburgh GC today and tomorrow is: David Byrne (Greystones), Robin Dawson (Faithlegg), Sean Flanagan (Co Sligo), Matthew Kane (Whitehead), Rowan Lester (Hermitage), Paul McBride (The Island), William Russell (Clandeboye) and Luke Woods (Banbridge).
The Irish boys team to play Wales at Rosslare today and tomorrow is: Alex Gleeson (Castle), Conor Glynn (Carton House), Jack Hume (Rathsallagh), Kieran Lynch (Skibbereen), Dermot McElroy (Ballymena), Gavin Moynihan (Donabate), Colm O’Sullivan (Fota Island) and Jamie Richardson (Royal Portrush).
Delaney battles back at Woodbrook
CARLOW’S Karen Delaney won the Woodbrook Scratch Cup when she fired an impressive second round of four-under-par 70 to claim the 36 holes event on a count back from New Ross’s Mary Dowling – the winner of the first Scratch Cup of the season in Royal County Down back in March – with Louise Mernagh in third place three shots adrift after rounds of 76 and 77.
Irish Close champion Dowling led after the first round with a level par 74, six shots ahead of Delaney. In the afternoon Delaney fired four birdies to claim the title on a countback of 150 (80-70).
The Seniors prize was won by Pat Doran (Donabate) and the Under-21 by Rosslare’s Emma Murphy.
- THE IRISHProfessional Footballers Golf Society season is ready to get underway. The Society has negotiated some very attractive venues for the season and this year is under the stewardship of Jack Dempsey, who is this year's Captain and will hold his Captain's Prize in Malahide this year, while the President's (Joe Wilson) Day will be in Newlands.
The season – which features five events – tees off in Lucan on May 9th, then it is Dempsey’s Captain’s outing in Malahide on June 20th. The rest of the dates for the season are July 28th for the President’s Day, September 1st in St Anne’s and finally in Castlewarden on September 29th.
Skellig Bay to host novel night-time tournament
EVER wanted to try night golf? Well this could be your chance, as Skellig Bay Golf Club in Waterville County Kerry are planning such an event.
If you find you can’t get enough of golf during the daylight hours, how about after dark? This Friday, Good Friday, April 22nd, Skellig Bay will be holding a night golf tournament.
Starting at 9pm, and using special luminous golf balls, fairway markers, flags and hats, teams of four will compete over nine holes to be crowned the first annual night golf champions. By the time the formalities have been completed it should be after 12pm so it’s back to the clubhouse for a barbecue and a couple of pints.
Cost is € 30 for members and € 40 for non members per person, inclusive of all special equipment.
- THE CityMatchplay Championship commenced last September and matches were played throughout the winter at Castle Golf Club. Over 100 players from more than 50 golf clubs entered the competition.
The Championships concluded last Sunday at Castle with finals in both the men’s and women’s sections.
In the men’s final local Ross Cregan beat former Dublin Gaelic football star Paul Curran from Beech Park one up while the women’s final also went to a home player when Maria Beaton saw off the challenge of Joan Sheridan from Newlands 4 and 3.
McElroy sets a course record
A NEW course record of 10-under-par 61 helped Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy to a fourth-place finish in the Peter McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath Golf Club last week.
McElroy’s 61 set a new course record as he finished on 280. Gavin Moynihan from Donabate finished in seventh place on 282 while Jack Hume (Rathsallagh) finished 12th with a score of 287. The Championship title was won by Nathan Kimsey from Woodhall Spa with a total score of 272 after rounds 69 67 69 67.
- THE 40thHermitage Ladies Scratch Cup is on Sunday May 1st. Entries close for the Scratch Cup this Friday, April 23rd. Handicaps 12 and under.
Langton’s three-course team event
LANGTON House Hotel, John Street, Kilkenny will hold their annual golf team event over three courses, Callan, Kilkenny and Mount Juliet, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 16th, 17th and 18th.
The event will be over 54 holes for teams of four people, any combination of men, women, or both, with two scores to count on each hole.
The entry is limited to 36 teams in total with 12 teams competing at each of the three venues each day.
There will be a handicap limit of 22 for male competitors and 32 for women and the event is open to all players with an official GUI or ILGU handicap.
There will be a timesheet in operation on each day of the event which will be played each morning with tee times from 10am until 12 noon.
Entry forms and reservations for the team event and or accommodation can be made by phoning 056/7765133.
