Compiled by Shay Keenan
Baldwin back for Open
Defending champion John Baldwin is one of 17 US golfers who will compete in the Irish Seniors Amateur Open Championship, sponsored by the Portuguese Tourist Board, at Limerick Golf Club from May 31st to June 2nd.
This year's event, which has attracted 62 overseas players in the field of 150, will be played for the first time over 54 holes.
There will be a cut after 36 holes with the top 51 players qualifying for the final round on day three, with the proviso that there are four players in the over 60s category, three in the over 65s category and two over 70s included.
Players from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Sweden will obviously be hoping for a good performance to enhance their chances for a place on their respective six-man national teams for the new European Seniors Team Championship, which will be held in Finland on August 16th-19th, while the Seniors Home Internationals will be played at Dunbar, Scotland, on October 3rd-5th.
Beaverstown events
Beaverstown GC will mark their "coming of age" with a celebration on June 17th and a pro-am, sponsored by Shoerack, on Thursday, June 29th. The prize fund for the professionals will be in excess of €16,000, with numerous prizes on offer for amateurs. There is an entry fee of €500 per team with a limited number of places remaining.
Other events to celebrate their 21st birthday include an Open weekend on May 26th-28th and an Intermediate Scratch Cup (handicaps 10-18) on Monday June 5th.
Beaverstown went through a major change in 2000, and the undulating greens and acres of mature apple orchards, particularly pretty at this time of year, will challenge and delight all standards of golfer.
Beaverstown's favourite daughter, Martina Gillen, just missed out on making it a special year when she lost out to Tricia Mangan in the final of the Irish Close Championship at the European Club last week. However, as a member of the Curtis Cup squad, everyone will be hoping for her inclusion when the team is announced on June 17th. The timesheets are available in the club pro shop at 01-843 4655.
Ambassadors classic
The fifth annual Ambassadors Classic, in aid of the Cill Rialaig Project, will take place at Waterville GC on July 6th and 7th. Some 15 ambassadors have committed to taking part in the four-person team event, followed by a celebration dinner in the Waterville Lake Hotel.
The Cill Rialaig Project involves the rescue and redevelopment of the pre-famine village of Cill Rialaig as a retreat for artists, poets, writers and composers of national and international repute.
The retreat also maintains a policy of reserving space and a special welcome for young and emerging Irish artists and writers.
Phase two involved the development of an artswork complex in nearby Dun Geagan, and phase three involves the development of a World Museum of Contemporary Art near Waterville. Details are available from Noelle Campbell Sharp at 01-4785159.
Headfort host pro-am
Members of Headfort GC will be out in force on June 16th and 17th when they host one of the top-five Irish PGA pro-ams. Apart from the significant prize fund supplied by the sponsors, Kingspan Insulated Panels, the new championship course will present a 36-hole challenge for even the most assured golfer.
Heading the list of contenders is European tour player Damien McGrane, who commented, "With Kingspan sponsorship there's a lot of money involved, so it's a major event for the pro players, and the amateurs love being associated with Headfort because it's such a great venue. There's every incentive for a golfer to come along and play well."
Another leading player and Headfort's club professional, Brendan McGovern, expressed his delight at the event being hosted at the club he has been associated with for the last 15 years. With over 60 pro-am wins already to his name, McGovern has hopes of adding the Headfort tournament to the impressive list. Details are available from the club at 046 9240146.
Charities are winners
The Christy O'Connor Jnr Charity Pro Am, sponsored by McInerney Homes and held at Roganstown Golf and Country Club last week, raised €57,000 for two charities. Cheques for a28,500 each were accepted by Eamon Coghlan on behalf of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, and Keith Duffy, representing the Abacas Unit for children with autism at Raheny in Dublin.
The winning team comprised Wexford professional Liam Bowler, Paul Fitzpatrick, Billy O'Reilly and Rita Bryan. The nearest to the pin competition for men on the ninth was won by Adrian Reid with a hole-in-one, and the nearest to the pin competition for women on the 17th went to Frances Arthurs. The prize for the longest drive at the 10th was won by Hugh Hanley.
Ardmore GAA draw
Ardmore GAA Club in Waterford are giving the opportunity of a lifetime for two lucky people to be part of the Ryder Cup fever in September. Draw co-ordinator Noel Conway, a golfing enthusiast, has forwarded a book of tickets to all the honorary secretaries of golf clubs throughout Ireland.
For as little as €10 a ticket you and a companion could be the lucky winners to an all-inclusive hotel stay in Dublin for the duration of the Ryder Cup plus tickets to The K Club for two people for the three amazing days of this year's Ryder Cup.
The draw will take place at the Round Tower Hotel, Ardmore, Co Waterford, on July 28th. Details from Noel Conway 024-94537 or 087-9815625.
Delaneys play part
Carlow sisters Tara and Karen Delaney helped Kent State University to their third appearance at the NCAA Division One Championship, and its first in three years, after the Golden Flashes tied for sixth-place in the 21-team field at the NCAA Central Region in Bryan, Texas, last week.
Kent State totalled 11-over, 299, in the third round to tie host Texas A&M at The Traditions Golf Club and earn an automatic bid to the national tournament.
The top eight teams advance to the NCAA Championship this week in Columbus, Ohio. Regional champion USC, top-ranked Duke, Pepperdine, Florida, Oklahoma State and Nebraska will join the Golden Flashes and Texas A&M at the national tournament.
Sophomore Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Tara Delaney saved her best for last, firing a one-under 71 in the final round, surging from 14th place into a tie for fourth with a total score of 222 (74-77-71).
Karen Delaney carded a five-over 77 in the final round for a 249 total.
Dwyer delivers
Having just returned from Durban, South Africa, last month, where she had been representing Ireland's tennis team in the over-50s Maria Bueno Cup, Beaverstown's Pat Dwyer returned to Ireland and her home club to record another memorable achievement.
Having won three of her five singles matches in South Africa at the end of April, Dwyer, playing off 29, proved her golfing worth when she won the singles competition on May 7th with an impressive 41 points. But not only did the international tennis player - who has only been playing golf for around three years - win the event, she also holed-in-one at the par-three seventh hole with a seven-wood, her first hole-in-one. Her victory cost her two shots and she is now playing off 27.
Castleknock classic
Castleknock Celtic Football Club are holding their classic in Corrstown GC on Thursday, June 1st. Tee-times are from 10am to 3.30pm. Entry fee is €260 per team of four (includes meal).
The presentations will take place in Kavanagh's Lounge. Anyone seeking more details or a place on the timesheet should make contact with any of the following: Tony Hanlon 086 4083102 (time sheet); Paul Farrelly 087 2273699; Brian Kennedy 087 2832639 or Peter Hoey 087 2545612.
Mullingar Open
Mullingar GC were hoping to hold the 25th staging of their Pamela Scott Ladies Open over the weekend, but like many of the other golfing and sporting fixtures on Saturday and Sunday it fell victim to the dreadful weather. However, the club are looking at rescheduling the event, and although not confirmed yet a date in July may become a possibility.
Moran Trophy news
Put the date Friday, June 30th, in your diary, when Donabate GC are holding their annual mother and daughter foursomes competition. The event has been organised since 1982, and once again is being sponsored by Allied Irish Banks Swords.
The pairings compete for the Moran Trophy, presented by the late Maureen Moran, a prominent member of Donabate, in memory of her late husband, Freddie Moran. who was an international sportsman. Cost of entry is €30 per pair, and places on the timesheet are available from Claire Greene on 01 8451967 or 086 2474324.
Cotter in control
IT has been some week for Grange Castle's Valerie Cotter. On her home turf she featured on a couple of occasions, while she was also in the prizes away from home. At Grange Castle last Sunday week she won the singles competition with a score of 70, four better than Fiona Landy (26). Then last Tuesday, the 18 handicapper fired a nett 76 to finish second behind Neasa McKieran (20), who won comfortably with a nett 70.
Sandwiched in between, Cotter had secured a second-place finish in Edmondstown's Open day. Playing with her clubmate Ann Kendon (23), they recorded 41 points, only to lose out on a countback to Marian McCreery (25) of Edmondstown and Newland's Denise Tobin (19). In third spot were Rhona Darcy (13), also of Edmondstown, and Delgany's Gráinne Moran (20), also on 41 points.
UCD Ladies event
UCD Ladies Golf Society are holding their Captain's (Freda Gorman) Prize at Milltown GC on Monday, July 3rd. The cost is €85 which is for golf and dinner, while dinner only is €25. The Captain's Prize will be open to NUI degree and diploma holders only. Contact with Carmel White, secretary, on (01) 4961494 or by email on carmelwhite@eircom.net
Roche lands double
What a few days it was for Geraldine Roche at Rosslare GC. First in the Saturday fourball she teamed up with Mary O'Shaughnessy (25) to win with 43 points.
Then last Tuesday in the singles Roche, playing off 24, won the Pat Hayes Memorial with an incredible 47 points, five better than her nearest challenger Noreen Fox (24), with Tereasa Healy (17) next on 38 points. Brigid Doyle (10) won the gross.
