TheShortGame

Rising stars shine: Two of Ireland's rising stars, Rory McIlroy and Arron O'Callaghan, got their year off to a good start when they both finished third in their respective categories at the Faldo Series International Trophy tournament over the Eden course at Hong Kong Golf Club last week.

McIlroy (15), the Irish champion at boys and youth levels last year, was joint third in the under-18 section behind India's Ajeetesh Sandhu, a 16-year-old who has been the number-one ranked junior in India for the past two years.

Sandhu pipped England's Oliver Fisher on a countback after they had tied on 143. Sandhu scored 72 and 71 to Fisher's 68 and 75. McIlroy, from Holywood GC, shot rounds of 71 and 75 for 146 and a share of third place with England's Thomas Sherreard (75 and 71).

Ben Evans, the18-year-old England international, was a runaway winner of the under-21 section and the overall Faldo Series International Trophy by a stunning 10-shot margin. Evans shot a course record 65 in the first round and a solid 69 in the afternoon for a six-under-par total of 134. He had 10 birdies and an eagle over the two rounds. O'Callaghan (Douglas) finished third with rounds of 74 and 72 for 146, two shots behind runner-up Michael Eric Bibat (Philippines).

Taiwan's Ruby Tseng, who beat Michelle Wie on her way to winning last year's US Public Links amateur title, won the girls under-18 section. Tseng had rounds of 71 and 79 for 150, and a four-shot winning margin from England's Melissa Reid (77, 77) with another English prospect, Henrietta Brockway, third on 159 (85-74). Jayvie Marie Agojo of the Philippines won the under-21 section on 160 (81 79).

Magic of Marbella: Need to get your game in order for the coming season? Well, Stein Travel has put together an innovative golf package for women, starting with a golf and teaching clinic in Marbella. The first trip takes place next month, and Jane Leavy, a professional at Spawell in Templeogue, will be escorting the group and providing the expert tuition. There will be no more than 10 people in each group. The package includes flights, seven nights accommodation in Marbella, golf tuition and golf, and is priced at €949 per person. Joe O'Connor, the golf director with Stein Travel, says: "This type of programme gives golfers the opportunity to take a look at different aspects of the game, from bunkers to chipping putting or long game. It is ideal for beginners and those who want to work on their game." Contact Joe O'Connor 086 6671341 or www.steintravel.ie.

Stock continues to rise; England's Di Stock was elected chairman of the Ladies' Golf Union at the recent a.g.m. Stock, who will serve for 12 months, takes over the position after more than 20 years in golf administration which started at her home club, North Hants, where, after a spell on the committee, she was Lady Captain in 1984. This was followed by a period as Ladies' Secretary and as Hampshire Handicap Adviser. She was County President from 1995-97.

Her career in golf administration continued with four years on the ELGA executive committee where she was chairman in 2001. She was elected to the LGU in 2002.

Since then she has been heavily involved in the implementation of the CONGU Unified Handicapping System and, as a qualified referee, has officiated at the Curtis Cup, Vagliano Trophy and at the 2003 and 2004 Women's British Open Championships.

PPUI awards; Twelve Pitch and Putt clubs have received development awards for 2004. In the gold section, awards go to Glenville, Hillview, Kilbeggan, Old County and Lucan. Fermoy are the only silver winners, while in the bronze section Ashgrove, CYMC/LC, Navan, RGSC, Rocklodge and St Bridget's were the winners.

Clubs were assessed using key criteria: speedy affiliation; increased men's, women's and juvenile membership; entry in PPUI events and representation at and participation in the PPUI's administrative forums. The three award levels - gold, silver and bronze - reflect scales of success under these headings.

Hall of Fame hopefuls: European Tour members Sandy Lyle, Colin Montgomerie, Vijay Singh and Ian Woosnam are among a list of 33 golfers who have been nominated for election to the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Lyle won the British Open in 1985 and the US Masters in 1988, while Montgomerie dominated European golf in the 1990s, winning the Order of Merit seven times in succession between 1993 and 1999, and his win in the Caltex Masters in Singapore last year was his 28th European Tour title. Later that year he also holed the winning putt in the 35th Ryder Cup, protecting his impressive record of never having lost in seven Ryder Cup singles.

Singh had a truly sensational 2004, winning nine times in the US, including the PGA Championship for a second time, on his way to displacing Tiger Woods as number one on the world rankings.

Woosnam twice topped the European Tour Order of Merit, in 1987 and 1990, before recording his greatest triumph in 1991 when he won the Masters at Augusta National.

A golfer must gain at least 65 per cent of the vote to gain entry to the World Golf Hall of Fame and this year's class will be inducted on November 14th.

Crummys in control: There were celebrations on the double in the Crummy household last week after two members enjoyed success in the weekly singles competition at Woodenbridge Golf Club in Co Wicklow last Thursday. And it was a case of youth triumphing over experience, as the daughter's score was just about good enough to push her mother into runners-up spot.

However, in the end 10-handicapper Michelle Crummy fired 35 points to seal a two-point victory over mother Maura (21). Back in third was Lady Vice-Captain for 2005 Ann Mernagh, who had 32 points off her handicap of 16. In the nine-hole strokes competition Michelle was also victorious with a score of 38, a half shot better than Brenda Murphy (15), while Ann Fallon (18) was third with a score of 39.

Foley makes the move: Moving her way up the ranking list of winners last week at County Meath Golf Club before eventually claiming top spot was Ann Foley. The 28 handicapper had to settle for runners-up spot to Bridie Murray last Sunday week in the nine-hole sweep competition, but that was only preparing her for a win a few days later. Last Thursday in a similar nine-hole sweep competition she fired 20 points, two better than Monica Woolfson (22), with Grace Collins (15) back in third on 17 points.