Short game

By SHAY KEENAN

Leacy pips Lowry in Connacht Boys'

DUNGARVAN’S Jack Leacy was the winner of the Connacht Boys Championship last week in Loughrea, but only after edging out Alan Lowry from Esker Hills in a three-hole play-off.

Lowry – younger brother of Irish professional Shane – had set the target, recording a blistering, four-under-par 67 in his final round to post a clubhouse target of 218. Leacy wobbled a little on the front nine but steadied the ship to return a 74 and match Lowry’s target.

In the play-off, they both bogeyed the first, then it was Leacy who gained a slender advantage on Loughrea’s difficult par-three fourth, making par to Lowrys bogey.

Both players hit powerful tee-shots on the fifth, and after Lowry hit a towering second to the middle of the green it looked like sudden death might be required, but Leacy conjured up some magic, pitching stiff for the par and the title.

Leacy had been the 36-hole leader on 144, five ahead of the field, while third place went to Cormac Foley (Headfort) on 220, first round leader Ryan McKinstry (Cairndhu) was fourth and Whitehead’s Matthew Kane was fifth. Co Sligos Seán Flanagan was the best under-16, while Kieran Lynch (Skibbereen) was the best under-17.

Howth GC's Captain's Charity Day

HOWTH’s Captain’s Charity Day on Friday, August 26th, is in aid of the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the Capuchin Day Centre for the Homeless.

All money raised will be shared equally by the charities. Entry for a team of four (including meal) is €400, or you can sponsor a hole for € 100.

Phone Darragh or Catherine at Howth GC (01 8323055) to enter a team or sponsor a hole.

THERE was a rare feat at Greenore recently. Kay McCartan, playing off seven, holed her second shot on the par-five fourth hole for an albatross. Having had a good drive, her second shot headed over the embankment towards the green. As Kay and her partners – daughter Ailish and Mary McGoey – approached the green there was no sign of the ball. So, having almost given up the search, Ailish went to the green to take out the flag to discover Kay’s ball in the hole.

To complete the day, Kay also won the competition.

Juvenile event at Warrenpoint

FOLLOWING the success of previous years, the Don Patterson Open Juvenile Competition, sponsored by FPM Chartered Accountants, will be played at Warrenpoint GC on Thursday, August 11th.

The event is played over nine holes and there are three age categories for boys and girls, Under-9, Under-11 and Under-13.

In addition, free coaching will be provided by Junior Golf Ireland and there will be a novelty putting competition along with other activities, which will create a family-fun atmosphere for competitors, parents, grandparents and friends.

Contact Feargal McCormack on 02830 (048 From ROI) 30261010.

THE six players selected by the Golfing Union of Ireland to compete in the McGregor Trophy (English Under-16 Boys Championship) at South Moor Golf Club, Durham starting tomorrow are: David Byrne (Greystones), Robin Dawson (Faithlegg), Seán Flanagan (Co Sligo), Matthew Kane (Whitehead), Rowan Lester (Hermitage), William Russell (Clandeboye).

LEINSTER BOYS (Interprovincials at Co Sligo Golf Club from July 19th-21st): Keagan Cummings (Elm Park), Conor Glynn (Carton House), Liam Harnett (Milltown), Jack Hume (Rathsallagh), Alan Lowry (Esker Hills), Gavin Moynihan (The Island), Ross Young (Rosslare). Team Captain – Aidan Marsden (Tullamore).Team Manager – Kevin Raftery (Forrest Little).

Stellar field lined up for Irish Girls' Close in Donegal Open

A NEW Irish Girls’ champion will be crowned this week when the Lancôme Irish Girls’ Close Championship takes place at Donegal GC, starting tomorrow.

This year’s field boasts all six of the Irish Girls’ team which competed at the European Championships in Sardinia last week.

Paula Grant will be one of the favourites to lift the trophy on Friday, having finished runner-up in 2009 and producing some impressive performances on the European stage last week.

Chloe Ryan, the recently crowned Ulster Girls’ champion, will be another player to watch, while international team-mates Jessica Carty, Ariana Coyle-Diez, Olivia Mehaffey and Hannah Henderson are sure to be in contention also.

The field also includes Leinster Girls’ Champion Mary Doyle (The Heath) and up-and-coming players such as Victoria Craig (Clandeboye) and Niamh Ward (Lurgan).

Notable absentees from this year’s championship are Leona and Lisa Maguire, unavailable due to scheduling conflicts which included the European Ladies Team Championships last week and the European Ladies Individual Championship next week.

An additional incentive for the competing field will be the announcement on Friday of the Irish Girls’ International team to compete in the Home Internationals at Gullane Scotland, from August 3rd-5th.

Cronins claim Father and Son

THE curtain came down on the All-Ireland Father and Son competition, sponsored by Key Capital, on Sunday at Castle Golf Club. And after a close battle victory went to the Grange pairing of Michael (13) and Michael (18) Cronin, who were 2up against Elm Park’s Brian (6) and Gavin Whittaker (16) from Milltown after the final went all the way to the 18th.

In the semi-finals the Cronins had accounted for Michael and Richard Tighe from Elm Park 4 and 3, while the Whittakers had beaten Austin and Austin Duke from the host club, Castle, 2up.

Shay and Paul Keogh from Westmanstown had led the qualifiers with 68.5.

McGimpsey Seniors' Close champion

GARTH McGimpsey from Bangor coasted to a six-shot victory in the Irish Seniors Amateur Close Championship at Thurles last week.

The former Walker Cup captain led by four shots going into the final round and, after a one-under-par opening nine of 35, was always on his way to victory. Over the three days he carded 74, 69 and 72 for a winning total of 215.

Defending champion Maurice Kelly (75 74 72), from Killeen, made a spirited defence of his title. A birdie at the final hole saw him claim the runner’s-up spot by a shot from Portmarnock’s Adrian Morrow (74 76 72). Tony Smith from The Island finished fourth on 225 after round of 74, 76, 75.

In the other age categories Connacht Seniors champion Nigel Duke from Killiney clinched the over-60s prize with a final 75, while Tipperary’s John O’Donoghue won the over-65s section, with Blainroe’s Alistair Smith emerging victorious in the over-70s.