By SHAY KEENAN
Wolstenholme in mix at Galgorm
THE Galgorm Castle Northern Ireland PGA EuroPro Open is little over a week away and has been boosted by news that former British Amateur champion Gary Wolstenholme and the Saltman brothers, Lloyd, Elliot and Zack, are confirmed for the event at the Ballymena venue.
Wolstenholme was one of the game’s leading amateurs for almost two decades before joining the paid ranks as a 48-year-old in September 2008. The English golfer won the British Amateur twice (1991 and 2003) and played in the Walker Cup on no fewer than five occasions. He remains the leading all-time points scorer for the Britain and Ireland side.
The Surrey golfer famously defeated Tiger Woods in the 1995 Walker Cup at Royal Porthcawl in Wales as Britain and Ireland won the biennial team event against the Americans.
The field is further enhanced with news that the Saltman brothers will all tee it up at Galgorm. Regarded as Scotland’s great hope of the fairways, this golfing dynasty bring plenty of excitement to the Ballymena event. Lloyd came to prominence playing in the 2007 Walker Cup at Royal County Down alongside Rory McIlroy before turning professional.
Irish Girls set to defend their crown
CURTIS CUP players Danielle McVeigh and the Maguire twins, Leona and Lisa, will lead the Ireland Senior and Girls teams for the European Ladies and Girls Team Championships in Spain and Denmark from July 6th-10th.
McVeigh will be joined at La Manga, Spain, for Ireland’s assault on the senior event by Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor), Mary Dowling (New Ross), Gillian O’Leary (Cork), Sinéad O’Sullivan (Galway) and Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush).
The team captain is Claire Robinson from Knock and they are managed by Fiona McComb from Ballycastle.
The Girls team travel to Aalborg, Denmark, to defend the European title won for the first time in Finland last year when they beat Sweden 4-1 in the final.
The team is: Leona Maguire, Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush) and Laura McCarthy (Muskerry). Team Captain – Sinéad Keane (Curragh). Team Manager – Ailish McCartan (Greenore).
Glenmalure stage Tony Murphy event
GLENMALURE in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, are staging the annual Tony Murphy Perpetual Trophy in aid of St Coleman’s Hospital, Rathdrum.
The event, which is a four-person rumble format, takes place over three days from Friday through to Sunday.
It is is sponsored by JDM Insurances Services, and team prizes are available for both GUI/ILGU/Non GUI sections.
Timesheets are in operation for the event and entrance fee per team is €160, which also includes a meal. Anyone interested should telephone 0404 46679 for a place on the timesheet.
NEWBRIDGE Golf Club are running a Sisters Competition – in a Scotch foursomes format – next Monday.
This is the club’s first time to run such an event and they hope to make it an annual fixture on their calendar.
For timesheet inquiries 087 298 2985.
INTERESTED in playing three of Co Meath’s finest courses?
Rathcore Golf and Country Club, designed by Mel Flanagan, have teamed up with two of their neighbours, Knightsbrook and County Meath, to give you the chance to play all three for just €115. Further details available on www.boynegolf.ie or contact one of the clubs. The passport is valid for 12 months.
Staunton maintains good form with win at Dundalk
MARK STAUNTON of Fore Ireland shot rounds of 68 and 72 for a four-under total of 140 to win the PGA Irish Club Professional tournament at Dundalk GC last week.
Staunton, who set a course record the previous week at Foxrock, won by one shot from Glen Robinson of St Helen’s Bay, who carded 73 and 68, with Robert Giles of Greenore in third place on two under after rounds of 73 and 69.
The victory pushed Staunton to third place in the Lexus Order of Merit, one place behind David Mortimer with Eamonn Brady of Clontarf leading.
David Mortimer (72, 71) and Michael Collins (75, 68) of Fore Ireland were in a share of fourth with John Dolan of Ballyliffin. Collins carded an eagle on the 10th with a total of five birdies and three bogeys to get the one of the best scores of the day.
Philip Walton signed for two 74s, still unhappy with his form around the greens, to end the event on four-over 148.
“After Wednesday’s round of 68 on a tricky day, it was always going to be hard to follow it up with one as good. And that turned out to be true,” Staunton said.
“After a good par save on the first and a tap-in birdie on the second, I thought it was going to be plain sailing.
“However, I’d forgotten how it feels to be in contention and the nerves nearly got the better of me.”
Jones finishes tied second
IRELAND’S Helen Jones from Strabane finished tied second at the European Seniors Individual Championship at the Golf Landclub Achensee, Austria, last week.
Jones rounded off a fantastic week’s work at the 54-hole strokeplay event with a closing round of 76 to jump from tied sixth overnight to tied second.
Runaway winner by 15 shots was Virginie Burrus of France who lead from the opening round.
Ireland’s other representative in the international field, Valerie Hassett of Ennis, ended her tournament with a disappointing round of 83 to finish in tied 26th place.
Ireland struggle to make the grade
THE 13th World University Golf Championships, hosted by the University of Malaga, took place at Antequera Golf Club, Spain, last week, with Ireland finishing well off the pace in both the men’s and women’s events.
Ireland were represented in the event by Ciara Butler (NUI Maynooth), Sarah Cunningham (NUI Maynooth), Emma Gilmore (Old Dominion, US), Niamh Kitching (UL) and Lucy Simpson (NUI Maynooth) and finished 12th (647) behind winners France (598).
The Ireland men’s team of Richard Bridges (NUI Maynooth), Gerry Kelly (UCD), Kelan McDonagh (NUI Maynooth), Tommy McGowan (NUI Maynooth) and Kevin Stack (UCC) finished 13th (915) behind winners South Korea (869).
The individual titles went to Spain’s Gerard Piris Mateu with scores of 72, 69, 72 and 68 for 281 and Catherine O’Donnell from the US with scores of 75, 70, 71 and 74 for a total of 290.
