Delaneys in US action: Carlow's Tara Delaney helped the Kent State University women's team to a fifth-place finish at the par-72, 6,000-yard Lady Puerto Rico Classic at the CoCo Beach Golf Course in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In the opening tournament of the spring season, Delaney claimed 11th place in the individual event with a six-over-par total of 222 after rounds of 74, 72 and 76.
Kent State closed with a team total of 903, while the tournament champions, Florida, posted 885. The Golden Flashes were in second place following the second round of the tournament. Amanda McCurdy from Arkansas won the individual title at two-under-par 214. She finished two shots better than Florida's Whitney Myers.
Karen Delaney, competing as an individual in the tournament, tied for 66th place with a 82, 83 and 78 for a 243 total.
Kent State are next in action at the Texas A&M "Mo" Morial Invitational in Bryan, Texas, on March 10th-12th.
Meanwhile, Hermitage's Suzie Hayes, a student at Notre Dame University, shot a career best 54-hole total of 225 with rounds of 73, 77 and 75 to finish ninth in the individual competition in the Central District Classic at the River Wilderness Golf Club.
Lacey Jones from Southern Methodist began the day in second place, but matched a tournament-best round with a two-under par 70 to take individual honours with a one-under par total of 215 (72-73-70).
Marucci's dream role
George "Buddy" Marucci, a 53-year-old career amateur who was runner-up to Tiger Woods in the 1995 US Amateur Championship, has been chosen to captain next year's US Walker Cup squad to take on Britain and Ireland at Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, on September 8th-9th next year.
"It's a dream come true," said Marucci. "I have some big shoes to fill in following Bob Lewis (2005 US captain). It's going to be a challenge, and I'm looking forward to it."
Marucci has qualified for 40 USGA championships, including 23 US Amateurs.
As runner-up in the 1995 Amateur, he earned an invitation to play in the 1996 Masters. He continued to be one of the country's top amateur players, and reached the quarter-finals of the 1996 Amateur later that year. As a result, he was selected to consecutive US Walker Cup teams, in 1995 and 1997. He has a combined record of 3-0 in foursomes and 1-1-1 in singles.
R&A squad decision
The R&A have decided, as a result of the accelerated rate of skills development of amateur golfers, they will not be naming a Britain and Ireland squad from which to select the team for the St Andrews Trophy. This match, against the Continent of Europe, will be held at Marianske Lazne Golf Club, Czech Republic on September 1st-2nd.
As Peter McEvoy, chairman of the R&A selection committee explained: "We feel that as there are so many players in contention for a place in the team, that the squad would be too big to have any real value.
"Experience over recent years has shown us that young players develop so quickly nowadays, largely due to the quality of coaching and ancillary advice they receive, that previously unheralded players can readily get to the top of the amateur game in a season.
"For that reason, this year we will not be announcing a squad.
"However, with the 2007 Walker Cup being played at Royal County Down next year, we intend to reinstate the squad system, as it will be essential that all players in contention for a place are given the opportunity to practice at that demanding links venue."
R&A selectors will be present at all major events, starting with the West of Ireland Championship at Co Sligo GC on Easter weekend, although McEvoy points out that, outside these events, player performances will be taken into consideration when selecting the team for the St Andrews Trophy.
Gallagher in the grove
A new competitive season for the Leinster Alliance teed off last Sunday, and they were given a testing start to the 2006 campaign at the European Club. Bitterly cold conditions combined with a very strong wind over a course that was in first-class condition meant scoring was difficult. However, emerging victorious at the end of a testing 18 holes to win the nett prize was Dún Laoghaire's Martin Gallagher, who won with 33 points off a handicap of eight, one better than Noel Fraser, a nine-handicapper from Beech Park, while Brian Treston (5) of the Grange was third with 30 points.
In the gross category, victory went to Declan Kerrigan (6) of Old Conna with a score of 26 points, one better than Tony Goode (1) of Lucan, who claimed runners-up spot only on the back nine from Dún Laoghaire's Kevin Nolan (3). The professional winner was Martin Leung.
Next up for the alliance is a trip to Tulfarris on Sunday, April 9th, and places on the timesheet are available from Michael Neary on 01-2827297, Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm).
McCauley lands ace
THE 12th hole at Mullingar can be tricky at the best of times. The shortest of the four short holes at the Co Westmeath course, it measures just 132 yards for the lady members. In recent years it has been redesigned to make it even more testing. However, one of the club's members had special cause for celebration recently when she aced the hole.
Mary McCauley, who plays off 12, secured her hole in one in the company of Dorothy O'Keeffe and Siobhán O'Donnell Murphy.
In doing so, she matched her husband, John, who has holed in one at the same hole.
It is not the first hole in one of Mary's career, but it was the first witnessed by her playing partners, as last year she aced the 15th hole while out practising on her own. Mary described her achievement as "a buzz worth waiting for".
Desmond's month
February has also been particularly good to Azmina Desmond, a 13-handicapper from Hollywood Lakes, who has been making a habit of appearing in the winners' circle as she gears up for the start of the competitive season. Hardly a weekend has gone by without her appearing at the top of the list of prize winners or very close to it. In the four weekends of February she claimed the top prize in nine-hole competitions four times, while she was also runner-up. Such was her form the weekend just gone saw her win on Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, there hasn't been much luck during the month for Maeve Brew as she twice lost out to Catherine Haughton.
GUI at Carton House
The Golfing Union of Ireland have finally moved to their new headquarters at Carton House, Co Kildare. Now fully operational, it incorporates the GUI National Academy and Museum.
The contact address is: Golfing Union of Ireland, National Headquarters, Carton Demesne, Maynooth, Co Kildare.
Telephone: 01 5054000 or fax: 01 5054001. Email is: information@gui.ie
