TheShortGame: Compiled by Shay Keenan and Kevin McKenna.

The R&A has announced ticket prices for next year's British Open Championship at St Andrews, and these again give substantial financial incentives to purchase season tickets by January 31st, 2005. Before this date, a season ticket, which gives eight days' entry to the course from Sunday 10th to Sunday July 17th, costs £130, with the purchaser benefiting from a discount of almost 50 per cent on the daily admission rates.

In announcing the ticket prices, David Hill, director of championships for the R&A, said: "It is our aim to keep admission prices at an affordable level and to encourage as many spectators as possible to attend the British Open at St Andrews. We still feel that the British Open represents excellent value when compared to any of the world's major sporting events and this year's modest increases have been applied after a freeze on prices last year."

Daily tickets range in price from £5 for the first practice day to £45 for Saturday and Sunday, while for senior citizens, prices range from £3 to £35 and for youths, from £3 to £15. The policy of giving under-16s free admission will continue.

Since its introduction in 1997, this has resulted in almost 200,000 youngsters watching the world's top golfers free.

Ticket applications should be directed to: Ticket Office, The R&A, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9JD, by telephone on +44 (0) 1334 460010 or through online purchasing at www.opengolf.com

Meanwhile, David Harrison, newly-appointed chairman of the R&A's general committe, has been named to succeed Neil Crichton as joint chairman of the International Golf Federation with Reed Mackenzie, president of the USGA.

Harrison, a retired businessman, has extensive experience in golf administration, serving as a member of the R&A's rules, championship and general committees since he was appointed in 1981.

He has also chaired the R&A's Training Panel.

McTernan aboard Rockets

Martin McTernan helped Toledo University to a 16th-place finish at the first annual Isleworth Collegiate Invitational last week as the autumn schedule came to a close. The Rockets shot a 305 in their final round and were led home by Tyler Riley with a three-over par 75.

Senior Justin Bertsch led the Rockets in the tournament with an 11-over par 227 (78-73-76) to tie for 36th place. Sophomore McTernan was second for UT with a 232 (81-73-78) to finish in a 45th-place tie.

Rounding out the UT line-up was Riley in a 64th-place tie (86-77-75-238), freshman Ciarán McAleavey (84-85-76-245/75th) and freshman Reno Langevin (79-80-88-247).

Georgia were the only team in the field that contained nine top-25 teams to finish under par. The Bulldogs posted a one-under-par team score of 863. Oklahoma State were runners-up with 873, one shot ahead of Georgia Tech (874). Texas finished fourth and Augusta State fifth.

Pitch and putt squad selected

The national executive of the Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland have announced the 24-strong men's international squad from which the six-man 2005 European championship side will be selected.

Joining the dozen players automatically into the international squad, by virtue of their national ranking, are George Beardsley (Cement), Liam Collins (CYMC/LC), Derek Courtney (Glenville), Kieran Dunscombe (St Anne's), Alan Hanlon (Collinstown), Seán Harkins (Ryston), David Hayden (Lucan), Mark Millar (Cement), Paul O'Brien (Lakeside), Thomas O'Donovan (Bruff), Jason O'Regan (Tralee) and Brian Webster (Larkspur Park).

The 24 players will play two trials early in 2005 (likely to be March 12th and March 26th) to decide four of the places for Arnhem while there will be two wild card selections.

The trials will be played at a Cork venue and a Kildare venue (both to be confirmed). Paddy Browne (Collinstown) will be non-playing captain of the Irish team at Arnhem.

Meanwhile, the 2004/05 women's international squad is: Julieanne Broderick (Castleisland), Chrissie Byrne (St Bridget's), Marian Byrne (St Bridget's), Peggy Campbell (Glenville), Tara Dillon (St Bridget's), Margaret Hogan (Tullamore), Tracey McGrath (Erry), Linda Murphy (Collins), Claire O'Flynn (ESB), Brid Ryan (Hillview), Siobhán Scannell (Collins) and Geraldine Ward (Portmarnock.

Heath women enjoy great year

The women of the Heath Golf Club in Co Laois are going to have fond memories of 2004, as it has turned out to be one of their most successful campaigns. The club's various teams reached no less than five finals.

In the ILGU Midland Area Matchplay events their Plate, Trophy and League teams all reached their respective finals, while the club were also in the Finn Trophy final and the Boyne Trophy final. In the Midland Plate and league events, The Heath were beaten by Wicklow, but the Trophy team of Mary Malone, Mary McNamara, Kathleen Treacy, Eileen Fingleton and Evelyn Cashin beat Carlow in the final at Tullamore.

There was further silverware in the Finn Trophy, a hugely popular fourball matchplay competition hosted by Courtown, where they beat Arklow in the decider with a team comprising Rita MacNamara, Mary Malone, Catherine Reilly, Anne Dunne, Marion Booth, Kathleen Treacy, Dinah Campion, Mary McNamara, Eileen Fingleton and Evelyn Cashin.

The Boyne Trophy team, however, lost to Slade Valley in their final at Edenderry, but still the club weren't complaining after such a successful campaign.

Heritage beat the weather

Visitors to the Heritage Golf Club in Killinarden last week had no difficulty with the inclement weather. The five inches of rain that fell midweek had little effect on the course.

The 82 miles of sandslit drainage installed when the course was laid out three years ago paid off as placing was even an option on excellent fairways. The Heritage is offering a winter package of golf and breakfast for €75 Monday to Friday and €100 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Lightning hits twice for O'Boyle

Lightning struck twice for Cathy O'Boyle in Ceann Sibéal over the past fortnight. And both times it was good enough for victory in the weekly singles competition. The 15-handicapper shot 37 points in the last two events to give her a one-point victory.

The week before last she beat Vera Curran (25) to the top prize, while in the hamper competition she pipped Nora Joyce (20), third the previous week.

Portsalon offer winter deal

Portsalon Golf Club in Fanad, Co Donegal, are to open their doors for winter membership for the first time. It is available to affiliated members of the Golfing Union of Ireland for a fee of just €€150 until March 2005.

It is an offer which gives golfers the chance of golf throughout the winter months at a very reasonable cost. Anyone interested should contact with the club.

Dillon women's golfer of year

Patricia Dillon finished off in style recently to secure the women's golfer of the year title in the Hole-in-One Golf Society. Playing in the society's recent outing to Killeen Golf Club, the 23-handicapper won the women's section with 29 points and was also named the golfer of the year following a consistent year.

However, victory on the day went to Delgany's Michael Sinnott, a 13-handicapper and next year's captain of the society, who took the Kinsealy Trophy with 34 points, one better than The Island's Kitty Carroll who had 33 points.

The men's section winner on the day was Michael Tully (17) with 32 points, while Pfonsie McGahan was the men's golfer of the year.

skeenan@irish-times.ie