Heggarty key player for Portrush

ROYAL PORTRUSH are hoping that Scottish-based student Gemma Heggarty will maintain her rich vein of form when she assists their quest for the Irish Senior Cup, sponsored by Douwe Egberts, at Glasson next weekend.

The 18-year-old multi-talented Heggarty - who is studying geography at St Andrews University (her room actually overlooks the 18th green on the Old Course!) - shot a sizzling five under par 65 over her home course in Greencastle last week to win the open singles competition.

Heggarty, who played under-16 international soccer with the Irish team two years ago, confirmed her current good form with a round that featured two eagles, three birdies and two bogeys. The eagles came at the fourth where she hit a drive and three wood to eight feet and sank the putt and the 13th where her three wood approach finished 10 feet from the pin and she again holed out.

"Unfortunately, my studies meant I was unable to play in the Irish championship at Enniscrone," said Heggarty. "However, I plan to play in the Irish strokeplay championship in Waterford this season and, of course, I am looking forward to this weekend's Irish Senior Cup."

Donegal teenager Heggarty, who missed Portrush's win in Ulster due to exams, was one of the young crop of up-and-coming players brought over to Portugal for the national squad session earlier this year and was a member of Port rush's winning team in the Senior Cup two years ago. Her return from Scotland should certainly boost Port rush's attempt to claim a 19th success in the inter-club competition.

Milltown, who have won the event 14 times, have also drafted in new blood from the team that won the Eastern District. Irish international Elaine Dowdall, from Wexford, is a recent acquisition for Milltown and, ironically, she slots into the place vacated by another Wexford player, Mary Dowling of New Ross, who is away in the United States for the summer. Dowdall's introduction to a team which also includes Irish champion Suzanne Fanagan and Kate MacCann will make Milltown favourites.

In contrast, Woodenbridge, who are led by former international Denise McCarthy, and Claremorris are making their debuts in the national finals. The draw is: Killarney v Claremorris with the winners to play Milltown in the first semi-final on Saturday, with Royal Portrush taking on Woodenbridge.

There was a touch of quality evident in The Irish Times/K Club Golf Challenge at The K Club last week where five handicapper Michael Ahern, of Skerries, shot a three over par 75 to take the top prize with 38 points.

But runner-up Chris McEntaggart, who had 37 points off nine, rued a poor finish - he failed to score at the last. Women's winner Margaret Hopkins had 28 points, playing off 15.

Meanwhile, Diarmaid O Roghnaigh will shortly be seen around the fairways of Edenderry Golf Club with a new full set of Big Bertha woods and Callaway irons after his name came out of the hat for the clubs, sponsored by Callaway Golf.

When Paddy Clarke returned a nett 60 in the monthly medal at Clones Golf Club over the weekend, he confidently expected to be proclaimed the winner!

But Marty Gunn, playing oft eight, produced a quite remarkable round to upstage him. Gunn fired on all cyclinders to produce a gross 65, for a 57 nett.

Pat Doran conjured up one eagle, six birdies and a mere 28 putts to set a new course record 68 at Donabate Golf Club. She beat the previous mark, set by Therese O'Reilly, in last week's monthly medal competition and now goes forward for consideration for the Rover Cup National Trial at Co Louth.