The Short Game

News from the world of Golf

Power surge from McDonnell

ESB Power was very much evident at the Castletroy Captain's Prize at the weekend. The captain, Brian Punch, is customer services manager of the mid-west division of the ESB network and the winner of his prize on the back nine holes was Pat McDonnell (10), a member of his technical staff. He was one of three with a seven-under-par 64 strokes. Runner-up was John Coholan (20) followed by Michael Holmes (15). Winner of the past captains' prize was Tony Fitzgibbon (12) with a 69 and the over-65s prize went to PJ Gaffney, both recently retired from the company. For good measure the captain's son Ciarán (13) took the eighth prize.

Junior coaching at the K Club

Junior Golf Ireland will host a number of junior coaching clinics on all four days of the European Open at the K Club this weekend. Golfers from age six years to 18 (boys and girls) can avail of free lessons from PGA professionals attending the European Open. To take advantage, under-18s should report to the JGI marquee at the K Club from Thursday to Sunday, or book a lesson in advance by contacting JGI regional development officer Olly Hodges at 086-1743653.

Stackallen's successful pitch

The Pitch and Putt Union Men's Strokeplay Championships finals will be played at St Stephen's, Glanmire, Co Cork, on Saturday and Sunday next. The main event is the senior championship on Sunday, in which 80 of the country's top players will compete. The senior event tees off on Sunday at 8.30 a.m. The top 20 players after 36 holes will qualify for Sunday afternoon's final round. The junior championship will be played on Saturday at 8.30 while the intermediate event tees off at 11.00.

A low-handicap team from Stackallen, Co Meath, captured the Leinster Interclub on Sunday at Bellewstown. Former Leinster champions Colin Somers and Wally Sheridan combined with former national juvenile strokeplay runner-up Patrick McBride to earn a two-stroke victory over home club Bellewstown. Patrick McBride was in incredible form for Stackallen; he fired a stunning 18-up for the 36 holes versus par. Somers added a 10-up while Sheridan carded nine-up. Stackallen's 37-up was just ahead of Bellewstown, who were represented by Jimmy Farrell, Declan Brannigan and Jim Brannigan. Loughlinstown, the south Co Dublin club with a phenomenal record in the competition, won the best gross on 24-up, courtesy of 11-up by Eoin Mithen, seven-up from Terence O'Donnell and six-up by Joe Drew.

Geraldine Ward (Portmarnock) retained her Dublin Ladies Strokeplay crown with a superb six-under-par 102 at Old County (Crumlin) last Sunday. Ward carded a 47 opener to defeat Dublin County team colleague Peggy Campbell (Glenville) by four shots.

Laytown and Bettystown event

Famous for its annual strand races, which have been running for over 100 years, Laytown and Bettystown race committee will hold a golf classic at Laytown and Bettystown GC on Thursday week (July 8th) when all proceeds will go towards this year's event, scheduled for September 9th.

The only race meeting held on the shore-line in Ireland under HRI rules, the Laytown/Bettystown meeting is one of the most colourful events of the racing calendar. The golf competition is a four-person team event (€200 per team for morning and €240 for afternoon times) with two scores to count at each hole. Places on the time sheet are available from Stephen Delany at 087-4174925.

Kill claim GAA challenge title

Kill GAA club, Kildare, took the Leinster title in the FBD All-Ireland GAA Club Challenge at Tulfarris Golf Club, Co Wicklow, last week. Kill finished with an impressive 81 points, closely followed by Eddie Keher's team, winners of the Leinster title in 2003, Rower Inistiogue, Kilkenny, on 79 points. Two Dublin teams, Parnells and Lucan Sarsfields, battled for third place when both finished just one point behind Rower. Third place went to Parnells with 42 points on the back nine.

Kill now go on to compete with teams from Connacht, Munster and Ulster at the All-Ireland final over two days at Faithlegg Hotel and Golf Club, Waterford, on September 18th and 19th. The Connacht, Munster and Ulster finals will take place at Claremorris Golf Club, Co Mayo, on July 9th; Dundrum Golf & County Club, Co Tipperary on July 23rd; and Slieve Russell Golf & Country Club, Co Cavan, on August 6th.

Bonner bags top prize

In a top-class line-up at The Island last week Fintan Bonner took the honours in the Philip Walton under-19 Scratch Cup. Bonner, a two-handicapper from Ashbourne GC, shot a two-over-par 73 in difficult conditions to win by one from local entrant Ronan O'Connor with Walton's nephew Brendan third on 76. Seán Kearns (Hazel Grove) was fourth on 77 and Brendan Regan from Balbriggan next on 78. Local knowledge proved vital in the nett awards with all three prizes going to the home club. Jake Carney took the top award with a 66 off 15, followed by James Cullen (68) and James Monaghan (71).

David Rawluk with 79 won the members' gross while Dean Tobin reduced his 28 handicap with a nett 65.

Delgany gets green light

Having had to make do with 18 temporary greens over the past year, Delgany GC members were finally able to use their new greens last Sunday when they were officially opened. After an investment of almost €1.5 million, all 18 greens were reseeded with A-4 creeping bentgrass. Judging by the response on Sunday of members and the many invited guests it was well worth the wait.

In addition, bunkers, approaches and surrounding areas, as well as most of the tees have been rebuilt and are now sand-based to USGA guidelines. Most of this work was carried out over a three-month period last summer during which time the Delgany members were accommodated by neighbouring clubs.

The remodelled course was designed by the well-known Irish golf-course architect Patrick Merrigan and was constructed by SOL, one of Ireland's leading golf-course contractors. The work on the greens was the final phase of an undertaking by the club which has seen the course completely remodelled since 2002 without losing its natural charm and appearance.

Captain Glancy in control

The myth that it isn't always possible to play good golf while in office is being blown away by one of Ballybofey & Stranorlar's officers this year. Lady Captain Anne Glancy has, to date, had a successful term in office, but her success is not just confined to her off-course duties. She has been in fantastic form around the Co Donegal course as well. Her most recent victory came last Sunday week when she again occupied first spot. Despite the windy conditions, Glancy, playing off a handicap of 19, won by five clear shots. Her closest challenger was Kathleen McGowan (18) on 71, while Bett Carr was third on 72. Mary O'Flanagan (21) claimed the gross prize. So impressive has Glancy's golf been in recent weeks she has reduced her handicap from 22 to 18.

Local heroes at Royal Tara

A record 230 players representing some 30 clubs took part in the women's team event at Royal Tara GC last week with victory going to the local team of Erika Goggins, Margaret Brady, Theresa Brennan and Terry Cahill with 96 points. Another highlight of the day was a hole-in-one by Lucan's Geraldine Onofri at the 15th.

Conway faces long day

Caroline Conway, the recent winner of Ita Ryder's Lady President's prize at Abbeyleix with a great score of 65 nett, is preparing for another challenge. She will play three rounds of 18 holes in the one day in aid of club funds. Starting at 8.30 a.m. next Thursday she is hoping to complete the 54 holes to raise funds for the development of the course. Sponsorship cards are available in the clubhouse and all members are being encouraged to support her efforts.

Killarney kings in Kerry

The former captains of Killarney proved their worth recently at the Kerry past captains' outing, played at Dooks. Killarney officials secured the top two spots. Winner on the day was 17-handicapper Margaret Moriarty with 37 points, one better than her clubmate Noreen Coffey (10).

Else Stern of Dooks, playing off 18, was next best on 35 points.Tralee's Maura McKenna (20) and Brenda Brick (23) of Dooks took fourth and fifth spot respectively. Ballybunion's Eileen Kearns (18) claimed the gross prize.

Dominican Golf Society outing

The Combined Dominican Golf Society are holding their 41st annual outing in Naas GC on July 19th (12.30 to 3 p.m.). Places are limited and €50 must be prepaid. Contact Pam Lynch on 01-2884464 by July 10th.