The Short Game

Smyth to the foreDes Smyth and Philip Walton will be vying for the honour of best professional when the Links Golf Society brings its winter programme to a close at Royal Dublin on Thursday.

Tied at level par in the 36 holes aggregate, Smyth is just two ahead in the 54 holes with Headfort's Brendan McGovern awaiting any slip ups with a minus two for 18 holes already in the bank.

Walker Cup squad members Noel Fox and his Portmarnock clubmate Niall Goulding are tied going into the last round in the amateur gross over 54 holes while Colm Moriarty is well clear at two under par over 36 holes. Kevin Commins looks to have the amateur nett closed out at three under par while in the team event Willie Leggett from The Island holds a three-shot advantage at 27 under par for 54 holes over Commins with John Kavanagh and John Gilhooley next on 23 under.

Newsagents drive off

Founded in 1972, the Retail Newsagents Golf Society will start another year at Malahide Golf Club on March 31st, with the captain's (Declan Crinion) drive-in followed by the first outing of the year. Crinion, a member of Carton House Golf Club, follows a long family tradition with the society as his father Tommy was captain of the society in 1995, as was last year's captain Stephen Hinksman whose father Paddy was also captain in 1994. This year's away trip is to Westport Golf Club. Taking over as president is Jim Byrne of the Enniscorthy club and new members wishing to join should contact Hugh Rafferty on 01-8376216.

Murphy wins on debut

New member Mark Murphy took full advantage of the excellent conditions to lead the field home in the BMW-sponsored Hilary Golf Society outing to Royal Dublin on Sunday. Murphy, a five handicapper, from neighbouring club St Anne's, shot a nett 68 to win by one from local Stephen Prendergast with Alan Levey the best of four on 70 that included Sutton's John Carr, Karl Purcell (Old Conna) and Leonard Owens. Carr had a chance of overall victory when he came to the last on four under par but a trip to the garden cost him a seven and a share of third place. Owens took the gross with a 70. The Hilary, celebrating their 50th year, will break with tradition by playing their final outing at Sutton GC on April 11th, with a shotgun start followed by a gala dinner. All members - past and present - are invited. Places are booked with Linda Sutcliffe at 01-8342577.

Ladies look to Hermitage

A top-class field is expected to enter the Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup this year with the handicap limit now out to 12 to bring the competition into line with the Irish Ladies Close Championship. The event, limited to the lowest 66 players in handicap, will take place on May 4th, 2003, and will again be sponsored by Mercedes-Benz.

"The Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup is now in its 32nd year and we expect a big turn out from international and interprovincial players," said tournament director Denise O'Sullivan.

Last year's winner, Heather Nolan from Limerick is on a four-year golf scholarship in Michigan University, Detroit, but with a number of former winners in the field including Mary McKenna who won it nine times, Eileen Rose Power (four times) and Lillian Behan (twice), competition will be keen. Entry forms are available from the Ladies Scratch Cup Sub-Committee at Hermitage Golf Club, Lucan, Co Dublin - phone 01-626 8491.

Portumna GC in demand

Portumna Golf Club is sure to be in excellent condition when they play hosts to the All-Ireland club youths championships in August. The course is undergoing major landscaping with three new greens under construction. The new sprinkler system, installed last autumn, is proving invaluable and so popular is the new developments that Portumna is booked out for societies for the remainder of the year. The Open Monday competitions which will run each week until October are proving very popular while Richard Clarke's junior academy is in full swing.

Maybin on form in US

North of Ireland champion Gareth Maybin continues to show excellent form on the US Collegiate circuit. The South Alabama student led the men's team to a tie for fourth place at the LSU Spring Invitational at the weekend. The Jaguars, who shared the top spot after Saturday's second round, finished nine strokes behind team champion LSU. Maybin finished eight in the individual honours list after rounds of 70, 71 and 75. LSU finished the day at 290 to capture the title. Jacksonville State (873) finished second, followed by the College of Charleston (875) and South Alabama and Arkansas State (877). John Humphries of LSU won individual honours on 211. He finished at five-under, two strokes ahead of Matt LeConche of Central Florida.

Connacht Girls team

Connacht have chosen their side for the ILGU Girls Interprovincial Championships which will take place at Warrenpoint GC, April 23th-25th. The team is: F Carroll (Athenry), E Gilmore (Mountbellew), L Holmes (Enniscrone), N Kitching (Claremorris), C Mulryan (Tuam), S O'Sullivan Galway). Reserves: S Faller (Connemara), A McCormack (Roscommon). Captain: S O'Connor (Westport).