Golf drivers bewareThe R and A are urging club golfers to check that their driving clubs conform to a new Rule of Golf that comes into effect on January 1st, 2008, and applies to all golfers of all abilities and in all forms of play.
Driving clubs must not have the effect of a spring which exceeds the limit set forth in a Pendulum Test Protocol established by the R and A and while many golfers have already replaced or made plans to replace such clubs with conforming models, some golfers are still unaware of the new Rule and its implications.
Golf clubs have been asked to raise awareness of the new Rule among their members and to assist them in determining the conformance status of their drivers to minimise any uncertainty and confusion that may lead to disqualification.
McClearn's golden year
Francis McClearn from Portumna Golf Club enjoyed a golden year in 2007. He won the Captain's Prize this year, President's Prize last year, held the offices of Captain, President, Hon Secretary, Handicaps Secretary and to crown all that the 11-handicapper capped off a memorable season by taking the gold medal in a special competition for the winners of the Irish Independent Druids Glen Marriott Golfer Of the Month awards last week. At Druids Glen it was a case of last in, first up for the top prize. McClearn had been the final monthly award winner and, as such, was certain of a silver medal memento. He had claimed that honour by virtue of his success in Portumna's Captain's (TJ Egan) Prize and lo and behold, McClearn then went on to win the gold medal. He came out top in the special final at Druids Glen, scoring 33 points off his 11 handicap in tough conditions.
Muskerry named club of the year
Muskerry, who celebrated their centenary year in 2007, were named club of the year at the Munster Branch agm last week after their double success in the All-Ireland Cup and Shields. The club won the Irish Junior Cup and Jimmy Bruen Shield, the latter being more unique because of the club's history in having a Bruen as a member during his playing career.
Other awards went to former Walker Cup and Seniors champion Arthur Pierse, Munster Golfer of the year, Peter O'Keeffe from Douglas, Kieran Lynch, the 13-year-old from Skibbereen who took the boys award, and Fota Island's Thomas O'Flynn the Youths award.
Lions at West Waterford
The WLR Lions Club Christmas Hamper Appeal Open will take place at West Waterford Golf and Country Club on Thursday, December 20th, Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd. West Waterford Golf Club members and visitors are urged to lend their support to this worthy cause. The competition is an Open 16-hole Stableford event for both women and men, to reserve a tee-time please telephone West Waterford on 058-43216 or 058-41475.
Lowry uses local knowledge
Local knowledge proved advantageous at the recent Midland Senior Alliance outing to Esker Hills as local man Shane Lowry left the field trailing in his wake as he stormed to victory in the gross section. Lowry, the Irish Close Champion and playing off a handicap of plus four, went around the par 71 course in a superb 67.
That gave Lowry - a member of the Irish team that won the European Team Championship this year in Scotland - a three-stroke winning margin over this nearest challenger, Mullingar's Des Morgan (plus two), with Alan Cronly, a two-handicapper from Woodlands, third on 72. Former Shamrock Rovers player Stephen Grant took the nett with 67.
Wisniewski emerges best
It was a day for the low handicappers as the Irish Association of Golf Club Secretaries held their hampers outing at the testing and always tough Portmarnock Links recently. And emerging with the best score on the day was Ashbourne's Paul Wisniewski, playing off a handicap of four, who shot a highly impressive 37 points. It gave him a two-point margin over Michael Power, who plays off five out of Kinsale Golf Club.
McKeon takes the honours
Brendan McKeon, a 13-handicapper from St Anne's Golf Club, took the honours as the North Dublin Golf Club Captains' Association held their Christmas outing at Forrest Little. His score of 23 points left him one ahead of Philip McIntyre (12) of the host club Forrest Little, with Beaverstown's John Walsh (17) third as the best of a host of players on 21 points.
The Island's Leo Hickey (13) was the Seniors' winner, Jim McBride (18) also of The Island, won the Veterans' prize, while the Super Veterans category winner was Richard Reid (23) of Forrest Little.
On the day, the association also handed out their various end of year awards with The Island's Humphrey Kelleher taking the Golfer of the Year crown, with Harry Skelton (St Anne's) winning the Senior Golfer of the Year, while Liam Peat of Malahide took the plaudits as the Veteran Golfer of the Year.
Caulfield pitches up short
Luck certainly didn't shine on Helen Caulfield in Ashbourne last week as she had to settle for two runners-up placings in the space of three days. Last Thursday, her score of 25 points left her two points shy of winner Phil Duffy (23), while although she went a point better on Saturday in shooting 26 points in yet another 13-hole competition, the 15-handicapper again found herself falling just short, this time missing out by a single point behind winner Helen Donoghue (18).
Whelan features twice
It may have been different formats of the game, but Karen Whelan (22) featured twice last week in the prizes at Delgany, winning as a partner of Bernie Clarke (12) in the 15-hole fourball competition with a score of 29 points. In the 12-hole singles event, she was runner-up in her class, losing out on a countback to Barbara Roy (22) after both shot 24 points, in an event where Jackie Dowling (19) won with 27 points, while the other class winners were Kate Murphy (19) and Eleanor McMahon (29).
skeenan@irish-times.ie
