Champion Mark Campbell of Stackstown faces a busy week as he sets out in defence of his East of Ireland Championship title at Co Louth Golf Club, Baltray, starting next Saturday and continuing on Sunday and Monday.
Campbell is one of 11 Irish players entered for this week's British Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale GC, and only an appearance in the final on Saturday will stop the Stackstown player taking his place in the line-up in the Irish Independent-sponsored event at Baltray.
Last year Campbell set himself up for a two-shot victory with a second round 67 that helped him to a six-under-par total of 282, two clear of Robert Forsythe from Ballyclare and fellow international Seán McTernan of Co Sligo.
Both will again take on Campbell, as will the in-form Darren Crowe, Irish Close Champion Brian McElhinney, Michael McGeady, Rory McIlroy, who tied fifth last year, and some of the other younger brigade such as Aaron O'Callaghan and Peter O'Keeffe from Douglas, Cian McNamara from Limerick, Paul O'Hanlon of the Curragh and Harry Diamond from Holywood.
First played in 1941, the "East", as it is more affectionately known, is the third oldest provincial Championship. It was the brainchild of Josephine Connolly (nee) Carbery, a highly respected name in Irish golf; she was president of the Irish Ladies Golf Union from 1971 to 1973.
A perpetual trophy was provided by the Lyons family through Peter Lyons, who was president of the Golfing Union of Ireland in 1976. Indeed, Josephine presented the "Jo Carbery Cup" for the best nett four-round score in 1943. The field will be reduced to 50 after 36 holes.
The popular event has attracted the top players in Ireland and Britain over the years, and at one time the championship was all but owned by the legendary Joe Carr, who won on no fewer than 12 occasions between its inauguration and 1969.
Other winners of note include Walker Cup players John Burke, Norman Drew, Tom Craddock, Pat Mulcair, Roddy Carr, Arthur Pierse, and the present captain, Garth McGimpsey, while Darren Clarke and Drew also represented Ireland in the Ryder Cup.
Heather Nolan from Shannon just failed to lift the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews over the weekend when she lost out to England's Naomi Edwards in a three-way play-off that also included English champion Felicity Johnson.
Edwards eagled the second extra hole to see off her two challengers after the trio had tied on two-under-par 225 at the end of the 54-hole tournament, which started with 18 holes over the New Course on Saturday and concluded with two rounds over the Old Course.
Johnson needed a par at the last to win by one shot, but her approach shot with a sandwedge spun back into the Valley of Sin in front of the 18th green and she took three putts from there for a bogey five and a 74.
Maura Morrin from the Curragh tied for fifth place on 229, while Scottish Strokeplay champion Martina Gillen of Beaverstown finished on 229, with Deirdre Smith and Sinead Keane (232), Maria Dunne (235), Tara Delaney, Tricia Mangan and Marian Riordan (236) the best of the other Irish scores.
England won the team event from Scotland with Ireland third.
In other news, Butch Harmon, one the world's top coaches, is returning to Ireland for an exclusive coaching clinic designed for Ireland's up-and-coming players.
Woodbrook's Christopher Morgan, Ross McConnell of Belvoir Park, Stephen Bennett from Limerick, Fiona Carroll of Athenry and Amy Glover from Portstewart are among 20 junior boys and girls, nominated by club professionals, to receive coaching from Harmon and his three brothers, Dick, Bill and Craig, in the Red Bull Mastersclass at Druids Heath on Thursday and Friday.
An interactive PGA coaching programme for Irish PGA members will run concurrently, with different aspects of the games being addressed. Tour professional David Higgins will have his game assessed by the Harmons, and psychologists Jamie Edwards and Dr Karl Morris will break down the psychology of golf.
"When we ran the Red Bull Mastersclass in 2004 we had a huge response from golf coaches across Britain and Ireland," said Harmon, "and the talent they put forward to attend Mastersclass was phenomenal.
"This year, anyone who knows a kid with real dedication or a junior at their club who spends hours on the range and course desperate to succeed at this game, can put them forward to attend the Mastersclass.
"I just know it's going to be a real eye-opener for me and my brothers," he added.
"We are very excited to have the refreshing opportunity to work with raw talent. Who knows, Ireland's Tiger Woods could be waiting for someone to give them the chance they deserve."
