SHORT GAME:THE 115th ILGU agm which takes place at Moran's Hotel, Naas Road, on Saturday will see Ann Wallace of City of Derry succeed Co Sligo's Ann Bradshaw as ILGU president following her two-year term in office.
Council members Nicky Robinson (Eastern), Maura Joyce (Western), Deirdre Bolger (Midland) and Roma English (Northern) will retire following their time in office, while Kathryn Reilly (Athenry) will replace Brigid McCaw (Royal Co Down Ladies) as LGU representative, as she takes up the role of LGU chairman in 2009.
There will also be honours for Tara Delaney (Carlow), Sarah Louise Winter (Carnalea) and Sheena McElroy (Grange), who will receive the Women’s, Girls’ and Seniors’ Order of Merit Trophies following their respective table-topping performances during the 2008 season.
Clubs are reminded that the ILGU affiliation fees of € 25/£17 and €5/£3.50 (under-18s) remain unchanged until 2010.
TIME is running out to book a place on the PGA's popular public rules courses. The courses take place at Ping House, PGA headquarters at The Belfry, on Saturday, February 28th, with the Introduction to the Rules of Golf, and Saturday, March 14th, with the Advanced Rules of Golf Refereeing. The fees are: one course £125 (€139) two courses £225 (€250). Details from Michael Wood on 0044 1675 470 333 or email michael.wood@pga.org.uk
Cassidy 31st in Orange Blossom event
STIRLING University student Rachel Cassidy, from The Island GC in Dublin, shot 81, 80, 74 and 74 for 309 to finish 31st in the opening event of the Orange Blossom women’s amateur tour of Florida – the Harder Hall Women’s Invitational.
However, there was no catching Candace Schepperle, who followed up her recent success in the Dixie Women’s Amateur as she coasted to a seven-stroke win.
Schepperle posted a final round of seven-under-par 65 for a course record and a 13-under-par 275 total for the tournament.
With a seven-shot lead at the turn, Schepperle said she wanted to remain aggressive throughout the back nine. “I had my own goals for the round and I wanted to stay in the moment until the tournament was complete. I’m very excited to win this title and look forward to coming back next year to defend.”
Amelia Lewis (70) and Cindy LaCrosse (68) tied for second place with six-under-par 282 totals for the 72-hole event.
MARTIN WARD of PM Golf mastered the conditions best to win the Mid-West Alliance at Lahinch Castle course. Ward shot a one-over-par 70 to win by two from overall Alliance leader Tony Cleary (East Clare), with Norman Molloy from East Clare third on 75.
Ward is now second in the race for the overall title.
EGU sanctions measuring devices
THE English Golf Union (EGU) has followed the pioneering decision of the PGA by allowing Distance Measuring Devices (DMD) to be used in all its championships in 2009.
The PGA were the first major body to sanction the use of the devices, and the EGU’s board of directors agreed the move on the recommendation of the English Championship Committee.
EGU officials have contacted the RA and the other home unions to inform them of the move.
Only DMDs which calculate distance will be permitted. Those which provide information such as wind speed, temperature and elevation, will not be allowed. Players found using such a DMD will be in breach of Rule 14-3 and disqualified, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.
Wexford club honour McGrane
WEXFORD Golf Club rewarded European Tour winner Damien McGrane with the ultimate accolade last week when he received honorary life membership.
McGrane, who was the club professional from 1997 to 2004, won his first European Tour event, the China Open, last April.
It has been a brilliant year for the adopted Wexford man, who is actually from Meath, who joined the European Tour in 2003. He finished 30th in the European Tour Order of Merit with earnings of almost €800,000. This already qualifies him for the British Open Championship at Turnberry in Scotland this year.
He also finished second in the Indian Open and played two rounds with Tiger Woods in Dubai.
The 2009 schedule is under way and McGrane is 21st in the Race to Dubai.
“I am really chuffed at this terrific gesture by Wexford GC and as long as I live my time here will always have special memories for me. I still very much consider myself to be part of the club and I will promote the club as much as I possibly can,” said McGrane.
Last Thursday’s Links Society outing at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links, which was cancelled due to the weather, has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 22nd, at the same venue.
Moyvalley next for Winterpros
THE second round of ILGU Winterpros take place at The Champions Club, Moyvalley, on Saturday and Sunday.
The event, initiated to provide competitive golf for Ireland’s elite players over the winter, sees four players from each of the five districts play each other in a round-robin format.
A sixth team, from the students on a Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarship at NUI Maynooth, usually take part, but are unavailable this weekend due to college exams.
The Northern District and NUI Maynooth lead the championship with two wins each, followed by the Midland and Southern Districts on a point apiece.
ENTRIES for the Miele Ireland Interclub Fourball close on February 20th. This knock-out event is played within the four regions of Ireland. Regional winners will compete in the national semi-finals and final.
Each club may enter one team of four pairs, with a minimum combined handicap of 19 and a maximum of 46. The national finals will be held at Mullingar GC on September 19th and 20th.
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