Handicaps on agenda

The Short Game Full handicaps in fourball competition will again be on the agenda when the Leinster Branch a.g.m takes places at Westmanstown tomorrow.

This year Old Conna are proposing: "In view of the recent computerisation of handicaps on the GUI's central database, and the wide implementation of Rule 19.4 (b), that the GUI recommends full handicap allowance for all fourball betterball competitions."

Having been defeated a number of times at Leinster and provincial levels, it is sure to raise a few talking points at Westmanstown.

Meanwhile, following the resignation of Mick Craddock, Leinster Branch will hold an election for the seven metropolitan positions on the committee with Sutton's Pat Bowen, a former member of the committee and Malahide's Denis Feeney joining outgoing members Dick Cusack (Greystones), John Ferriter (Castlewarden), Jimmy Greene (Grange), John Joe Maher (Forrest Little), Mick McGinley (Naas) and Bill Slattery (Royal Dublin).

O'Donoghue wins again

An fantastic feat was set recently by Clonmel's Helen O'Donoghue when she won the club matchplay championship, the Donoughmore Cup, for a record eighth time.

After a great tussle with club mate Anne Darmody in which she conceded eight shots, the match concluded on the home green.

Helen, playing off a handicap of seven, has now won the club championship in four different decades. It was a nice way for her to finish off her golfing year, which included representative honours for Ireland at seniors level in the Nations Cup in Portugal and the European Team Championships.

Hayden joins the fold

Last Monday saw Dave Hayden II join the Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland office staff. Hayden, who is the son of former three-time Irish champion David Hayden, will assist Office Administrator Eamonn Birchall. The appointment has been made in light of the increased workload following the transfer of the administration of the Leinster and Munster Championships and competitions the Central Office.

Like his father, who was National Strokeplay champion in 1987 along with taking successive Matchplay crowns in 1988 and 1989, he is a member of Lucan Pitch and Putt club.

He introduced the Dublin County Leagues website for the 2003 season. He had agreed to become Dublin League secretary for 2004, but will now relinquish that post following his full-time appointment with the PPUI.

Meanwhile, the PPUI Central Office will move from the House of Sport on the Longmile Road, where it has been based for the last 14 years, to the Irish Sports Council House, which is located in the Park West Industrial Estate in Dublin, next month.

Valley dig deep to win

Meon Valley Golf Club, from Hampshire, won the inaugural Shamrock Golf Trophy with a spectacular display of golf over two days at Dundrum, Co Tipperary. The Hampshire club had five points to spare over the rest of the field. Shaun Byrne led his team by example, hitting some great approach shots coming down the stretch, to finish with a combined score of 115 in the Texas Scramble format. Along with the Waterford Crystal Trophy, the four winners will return to Ireland in 2006 for a trip to the Ryder Cup.

The competitors had to battle tough windy conditions. Barlaston Golf Club from Staffordshire made the greatest headway in the wind with a gross 62 (nett 58) to lead by 0.5 from Meon Valley who also had a gross 62 (nett 58.5). Formby Hall (Merseyside) were placed in third with 60.2.

The second round saw only three teams improve their first round scores. Home side Tipperary County, moved up a position to finish in fourth place. Formby Hall recorded a second successive 60.2, while Barlaston dropped back four shots, but still managed to hold on to second place by just 0.4 of a shot. Meon Valley were rock solid in the final round with six birdies on each nine shooting 60 (nett 56.5) and with no dropped shots throughout the two rounds they took home a five shot advantage.

Gilhooly gets the chair

Mide Gilhooly from Lucan took over the chair at the recent annual Eastern District a.g.m. at Westmanstown.

The District will have Denise O'Sullivan as District vice-president with Theresa Morgan as honorary secretary. Sheena O'Brien Kenney, the new Irish captain from the Grange, will chair the standard scratch committee with the assistance of Mary McKenna, O'Sullivan and Jacky Quinn.

EASTERN DISTRICT COMMITTEE FOR 2004: Life vice-president: Mary Nowlan (Castle); District vice-presidents: Denise O'Sullivan (Hermitage), Anna Usher (Newlands), Mairin Byrne (Sutton). Chairman: Mide Gilhooly (Lucan); Honorary secretary: Theresa Morgan (Ardee); Assistant honorary secretary: Via Maume (Greystones). Executive Committee: Marie Collins (Headfort), Mairead Cahill (Luttrellstown), Helen Clancy (Woodbrook), Irene Culleton (Donabate), Christine Farrell (Skerries), Clodagh Kinsella (Killiney), Elizabeth Murphy (Seapoint), Kate Overend (Carrickmines), Nicky Robinson (Dún Laoghaire). Council Members: Margaret Keogh (Castle) and Maura Sweeney (Clontarf). Handicap Advisers: Frances Wogan, Kathryn Whately, Maura Sweeney, Pauline Dwan. SS Committee: Chairman: Sheena O'Brien Kenney, Mary McKenna, Denise O'Sullivan, Jacky Quinn. Junior Honorary Secretary: Margaret McCormack (Forrest Little). Assistant Junior Honorary Secretary: Jean Flanagan (Castle). Junior Committee: Susan Clarke (Laytown/Bettystown), Siobhain Greally (Royal Tara), Colette Horton (Navan), Breda O'Donovan (Hermitage), Helen Webster (Howth), Helen McCole (Westmanstown).

McKevitt holds on

England's Shelley McKevitt scored the biggest win of her career to win the Lion Foundation New Zealand women's amateur golf championship at Mount Maunganui. The 24-year-old, who won the British Strokeplay Championship at Royal Portrush in August, took advantage of a superior short game to beat Australia's Nikki Garrett 3 and 1 in the 36-hole final. McKevitt stamped her authority on proceedings in the morning round, making five birdies to open up a four-hole lead after 18 holes. Garrett reduced the margin to a two-hole deficit after 34 holes but McKevitt held on for victory.

John a prized name

There were strange goings on at Bearna Golf Club over the weekend as they held their 17-hole hamper competition. As the prize winners were being announced those that didn't have a Christian name of John must have felt as if they had no chance of winning, as amazingly four Johns took the first four places. John O'Meara, playing off 10, won the competition with 41 points, two ahead of John Collins (12), with John Walsh (8) third on 38 points, a further point ahead of John Lang (11).