Any hopes Sutton may have entertained of making it three wins in a row in the FBD Barton Cup disappeared when the holders were beaten in their opening match this season, going down 3½ to 1½ to Elmgreen. Although only playing in the event for the third time, the newcomers from Elmgreen recorded a major scalp in beating the defending champions, and this despite having to play three of the five games away from home.
Sutton bow out of Barton
And key to their victory was Gerry Carr, son of JB Carr, who is synonymous with the success and history of Sutton. Gerry played for Sutton in their 1982 Barton Cup win, but this time around played a key role in the win of his new club. He partnered David Baggott to victory on home soil, although club captain Darren Clarke lost his match with Mick Matthews.
But at Sutton, Elmgreen were to master the tricky course very well with Denis Murphy and Pat Moran, and then Eddie Kavanagh and Michael Greaney winning their matches to secure victory. The other game involving Declan Doherty and Mark Lawlor was called in as they headed down the 20th.
Last year's runners-up, Milltown, have a chance of going one better after they won their opening match against Druid's Glen.
Morgan wins in style
Two steady rounds of 70 proved enough for Mullingar's Des Morgan to win the prestigious DHL Dundalk Scratch Cup at Dundalk on Sunday. Although up against a top-class field, Morgan proved his mettle to win the title with a final score of 140, four under par. He won the event in style, sinking a 20-foot putt on the final green to seal the win from former winner Johnny Foster.
The Ballyclare man had set the clubhouse target of 142 after rounds of 70 and 72. Morgan knew he was well in contention to better that and the birdie on the final hole confirmed his victory over the Irish international and former South of Ireland champion. Morgan's steady play in the second 18 allowed him to overtake first-round leader Liam Ryan.
The Stackstown man was in excellent form in the opening round with a four-under-par round of 68 to lead by two from Morgan and Foster. However, he was unable to repeat his form in the afternoon and finished with a disappointing 78, while Foster's 72 allowed Morgan to claim the trophy by two shots.
Midlands event set for Carlow
The Midlands Amateur Scratch Cup will once again take place at Carlow Golf Club on May 22nd-23rd. This year's event is a highly significant one in that it is the 55th staging of the competition, and leading the field will be five-time winner Mark Gannon, non-playing captain of Ireland's Home International Championship winning team last year.
It is expected a top class field will assemble for the event. Sponsored by Refrigeration Engineering Ltd, next month's event will also see a special category as it is planned to hold a 36-hole competition for previous winners.
Carroll makes half century
The magical mark of 50 points was reached recently in Killarney Golf Club when Christine Carroll blew away the rest of the field in the Easter Hamper event over the Killeen course. The 27-handicapper fired the incredible total for a massive 11-point win. Although Mary Geaney shot a creditable 39 points she was some way short of Carroll's score. Also on 39 points was Patricia Lynch (31), who claimed third spot, while Bridget Gleeson Healy won the gross prize with 34 points off four.
Daly lands double triumph
Headfort's Maura Daly has been in a rich vein of form around her own course in recent times. The eight handicapper has been playing some excellent golf and has just claimed two fine wins with some excellent scoring. First she won the club singles' class one category with a 71, which was one better than Martha Kennedy (15). Six days later she won the open singles event.
Although it required a countback over the back nine, her score of 37 points was just enough to pip Hermitage's Pauline Whelan (23) into second spot. Third place went to Dorothy O'Keefe (20) of Mullingar.
International Pairs launched
Dublin's Lord Mayor Royston Brady and his wife, Michele, hit the first shots as this year's Internationals Pairs competition in Ireland was launched at Faithlegg Golf Club last week. The Tower Hotel Group in Ireland has been granted the licence to run the highly popular event here. The International Pairs is the biggest tournament in the world for club golfers with, over 28,000 competing in Britain alone last year.
Ireland will be divided into two sections, with Leinster/Munster clubs playing-off at Faithlegg on September 30th while the Ulster/Connacht play-off is at Ballyliffin Golf Club on September 28th. Details and entry forms for the event are available from Gerry O'Hara at 086-1743967 or goh@thg.ie.
Curragh pitch free racing
The Curragh has come up with a novel idea to attract golfers to the races on Bank Holiday Monday, May 3rd. Anyone who can show their current Golf Union of Ireland membership card at the designated turnstile on the day will be able to go racing free. A number of great race day promotions and competitions during the afternoon of top class racing will include the chance to win golfing holidays in Spain and Portugal and prizes courtesy of the Heritage Golf Club at Killenard, home of the Seve Ballesteros Natural Golf School. First race is at 2.30 p.m.
Holders open East defence
Holders Co Louth and Woodbrook are the two seeded teams for the Suzuki-sponsored East District's Women's Senior Cup at Seapoint Golf Club on Saturday and Sunday. Co Louth open the defence of their title against Dún Laoghaire while Woodbrook take on Ardee in the bottom half.
However, it is a pity that in a time when the women's game continues to grow that three clubs were balloted out because of the ruling that only 16 teams may play in the Eastern event. Ardee got the last place having the four lowest handicapped players of those vying for the 16th place.
The time-table for Seapoint is: 7.15. a.m. - Co Louth v Dún Laoghaire; 7.50 a.m. - Hermitage v Castle; 8.25 a.m. - Elm Park v Old Conna; 9 a.m. - Donabate v Grange; 9.35 a.m. - Headfort v Greenore; 10.10 a.m. - Milltown v Laytown/Bettystown; 10.45 a.m. - Island v Black Bush; 11.20 a.m - Ardee v Woodbrook.
Walshe shoots record in US
Boston College's Alison Walshe, who is qualified to play for Ireland, shot a tournament record four-over-par 220 to beat Georgetown's Christy Larrimore by one stroke to win the Big East Championship at the Warren Golf Course in Notre Dame on Sunday.
In the team event, Notre Dame shot a championship-record 293 in round two and cruised to a three-round total of 905 (302-293-310) en route to their second straight first-place finish by 14 strokes over Miami, with Boston College third.
Walshe, who also won the individual prize at the rain-shortened Hartford invitational two weeks ago, had rounds of 71, 74 and 75 for 220. Noriko Nakazaki and Katie Brophy of Notre Dame and Miami's Tina Miller competed the top five.
Nakazaki shot a tournament best and record-setting 70 in the second round to take third with a 222 (75-70-77). Brophy shot a 224 (75-75-74) to tie for fourth with Miller (76-75-73).
Murphy retains title
Ray Murphy (Templebreedy), the former Irish champion, retained his Cork County Pitch and Putt Strokeplay championship title at Douglas on Sunday.
Murphy fired rounds of 44 and 46 for an 18-under par total of 90 to win by one from John Walsh (Collins). Walsh shot 46 and 45 for his -17 total, a score that included three bogeys. Templebreedy won the senior team event on 368.
Reigning national matchplay champion Darren O'Reilly (CPM) was one of the leading qualifiers for the Securispeed Couriers Dublin Strokeplay championship over his home course. O'Reilly fired 94 to finish second, two behind his clubmate, Gary McDonnell.
Former champion Sean Harkins (Ryston) came safely through Kildare regional qualifying for the Leinster men's strokeplay at Ryston (Newbridge) on Sunday. Harkins carded 92 to end up one behind leading qualifier Joe Ronan (McDonagh).
skeenan@irish-times.ie
