A golfing roundup
Marlay course to open next week
MARLAY PARK par-three course will open to the public next week following significant redevelopment. Using state of the art technology and the latest generation of synthetic grasses the greens and tees have been developed to tournament standard.
This redevelopment will ensure the greens remain in peak condition and will be playable all year round, with no requirement to close for frost or other weather-related reasons.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council undertook this project with the support of Carr Golf Services, who will also manage the course.
“Marlay Golf Course is set to be a hugely exciting and enjoyable experience where nine holes can be completed in less than one hour. With spectacular water hazards, well crafted bunkers and some stunning views, it is very much reminiscent of the par three course at Augusta National,” said Ed Pettit, commercial director of Carr Golf Services. A large emphasis will be placed on promoting the facility to juniors and families and throughout the year with lots of fun events and tournaments. The course will be officially opened by Cllr Marie Baker, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on Tuesday May 27th.
Laytown and Bettystown take title
LAYTOWN and Bettystown’s women rolled back the years at Elm Park over the weekend when they bridged a 20-year gap in winning the Irish Senior Cup East Leinster title by beating Donabate 4-1 in the final.
Last successful in 1990 after winning the All-Ireland title in 1988, Laytown and Bettystown had four members of that squad on duty again last weekend, Carol Wickham, Phil O’Gorman, Noeline Quirke and Anne McAuley.
After wins over Black Bush and Greenore in the early rounds the Co Meath club edged out defending champions Co Louth 3-2 in the semi-final, with Barbara Cooney beating Carla Reynolds on the 19th in the deciding match.
Donabate, with Curtis Cup captain Mary McKenna returning to Senior Cup action, saw off Woodbrook in their semi-final.
Alison Taylor, Wickham and Cooney secured the necessary three points in the final with OGorman and Quirke halving their matches.
West Waterford hosts Europeans
SENIOR professionals from Ireland, Britain and the Continent will converge on West Waterford Golf Club in June for the European Senior Challenge Tour event.
The holder is Kevin Dickens, a previous winner on the PGA European Tour. Stephen Sheilds from England, a rookie this year and already a prolific winner in Spain, Germany and the Czech Republic will be vying for the top prize also.
The local hopes will rest mainly on Paddy O’Boyle from Bandon, runner-up last year and Peter O’Hagan, who played all four rounds of the final qualifying school for the Champions Tour last November.
It will be run in conjunction with a pro-am on Tuesday, June 8th and Wednesday, June 9th and is open to anyone with a GUI or ILGU handicap.
The entry fee for the Pro-Am is €50 per person. The format is one professional with two amateurs. Entries are now being taken in West Waterford Golf Club. Entry forms can be downloaded from the web site: www.westwaterfordgolf.com or ring 058 43216/41475.
- Young Irish professional Ruaidhrí McGeehas come up with a novel way to try and help him fund his attempt to make it in the game. He is looking for sponsorship for the minimum sum of just €10. He has set up the following website www.golfthanks2u.com where sponsorship opportunities are available.
Monaghan wins Kilkenny Senior Scratch Cup
THE 47th Smithwicks Kilkenny Senior Scratch Cup took place at Kilkenny Golf Club on Saturday. The event, sponsored by Smithwicks (Diageo) who celebrate 300 years brewing in Kilkenny this year, was a great success.
From a top quality field of over 90 players and played on a course which was in superb condition, with greens running at over 10 on the stimpmetre, Irish panellist James Monaghan (The Island) emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins.
Last year’s Padraig Harrington scholarship winner had a single shot victory over Ireland international Cian Curley (Newlands) and Paul Bulfin (Carlow).
With Bulfin safely in the clubhouse on a one under par two round total of 141, Monaghan and Curley playing together, came to the 18th in their second round tied on one under par. With a difficult pin tucked in left over the front bucker, Curley played a superb 75-yard approach from the left rough to six feet. From slightly closer and also from the left rough, Monaghan executed an exquisite shot to two feet. After Curley’s birdie attempt lipped out, Monaghan calmly slotted his two-footer for a final birdie and a winning two under par total of 140.
Brian McSweeney (Woodbrook) was fourth on 142, Cian Geraghty (Carton House) was 5th on 143 and next was former International and five time winner Eddie Power (Kilkenny) on 145.
Annual classic for hurling clubs
CASTLEWARDEN Golf and Country Club is the venue for Friends of Dublin Hurling annual Classic for Clubs on May 27th.
Over the past 12 months monies raised by FODH has helped and supported various hurling activities in the county such as website maintenance, texting service, regular e-mail newsletters, Cumann na mBunscol, Coláiste Éanna hurling team, supporters buses to away Dublin matches, Clubs of the Year awards, Hall of Fame and Player of the Year awards and Dublin Colleges Hurling teams, along with the Dublin senior and under-21 teams
This year the best club will receive a € 500 voucher for sports equipment in addition to any other prize the team wins.
The cost of a team of four is €400, while sponsoring a tee-box is €200.
Entries to Friends of Dublin Hurling c/o Tom O’Donnell, GAA Office, St Vincent’s CBS, Glasnevin, Dublin 11.
Royal Portrush reclaim title
Royal Portrush reclaimed the Ulster Senior Cup title on Tuesday with a 3-2 win over defending champions Slieve Russell at Massereene. The Maguire twins Leona and Lisa gave Slieve Russell their wins over Gemma McClenaghan and Niamh Quigg, but wins for Charlene Reid, Maura Diamond and Helen Jones were enough for Royal Portrush to advance to August’s National Finals in Cork.
In the West Region Claremorris had a narrow win in Castlebar on Sunday pipping Ballinasloe 3-2 in the final.
And in the Midland District Finals at Mullingar on Saturday, Carlow defeated Wexford 3½ to 1½.
