Short game

Bird ready to take flight again in Sligo

YOUNG County Sligo golfer Paddy Bird had a mixed year in 2012.

On the golf course the 12-year-old had an incredible start to the year.

He started the golfing season playing off a handicap of 25 and very quickly made tremendous strides on the links of Rosses Point.

By July, just three and a half months later, he was playing off 13 – having reduced his handicap by an incredible 12 shots.

Sadly, the youngster from Ballicar – who has worked hard under the tutelage of assistant club pro Martin McTiernan – then fractured his hip which effectively terminated his golf for the rest of the 2012 season.

Now 13 years of age, he is back to full fitness and ready to hit the fairways once again and no doubt start reducing his handicap even further once again.

Reid knocking on the door in Knightsbrook

THERE was no early-year luck for Seán Reid on the fairways of of Knightsbrook over the weekend.

Looking to start off 2013 on a good note he twice had to settle for runners-up spot in the club’s 13-hole singles competitions, this despite matching the winner’s score.

On Saturday, the nine handicapper shot 29 points only to lose out to Brendan Green, also playing off nine, on a countback.

Then on Sunday, he did even better firing 31 points only to miss out to Joseph Smith (14) who also recorded 31 points.

Maybe it’ll be third time lucky next weekend.

Kelly cruises to Orange Bowl win

England’s Patrick Kelly is the new Junior Orange Bowl champion, going wire-to-wire for a stunning 13-stroke victory at the Biltmore Golf Course in Miami, USA.

Kelly began the final round with a seven-stroke advantage and was never in trouble. Even when USA’s Cory Pereira holed out from greenside sand at the sixth to get within five, Kelly responded with a birdie at the seventh. He unleashed one of his many fine long iron shots of the tournament which flew through a 25mph crosswind to rest within six feet of the hole.

Kelly concluded his final round with a birdie on the 17th and then a chip- in eagle-three at the final hole.