Clubs roll up their sleeves to compete for annual honours

The search to find the AIB Golf Club of the Year for 2003, in succession to Amateur Scene: Co Sligo, is gathering momentum. This scheme, which was created by AIB, the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies' Golf Union last year, was a tremendous success in its inaugural year with clubs from all 32 counties entering.

The Golf Club of the Year focuses on the many non-playing aspects of golf-club life that are so essential to the long-term success of the club.

The overall winner last year was Co Sligo, with All-Ireland category awards going to Elm Park, Tullamore, Ballybunion and Co Sligo.

Once again the awards scheme will focus on four areas of increasing importance for the club: namely junior golf, the environment, communications and clubhouse/course presentation. The closing date for entry is August 29th.

"We were delighted with the response last year," said GUI president Michael O'Donoghue. "We already are receiving inquiries as to where the entry forms are this year. There is no doubt in my mind but that the response will be even greater this year."

ILGU president Ita Butler was also enthusiastic about the scheme: "There was an excellent reaction from our members for the new scheme last year and I am confident it will go from strength to strength over the coming years."

Meanwhile, Catherine Booth will cap a career spanning over 20 years in golf administration when she is proposed as president of the Ladies' Golf Union at the annual general meeting in January next year.

Booth will be the 21st president since the position was instigated in 1908 and will commence her three years in office in succession to Sue Johnson.

Booth's career in golf administration started at Sutton, her home club, where she was the honorary secretary and then women's captain in 1981.

It was then that she started her interest in junior golf and three years later was elected chairperson of the ILGU Eastern District.

After a four-year spell, from 1985-1989, on the ILGU Central Council, she represented Ireland from 1993-1998 on the Council of the LGU, serving on a number of different committees.

During that period, she was chairperson of the Curtis Cup committee that oversaw the Britain and Ireland team famously retaining the Cup at Killarney.

"I still have a great interest in junior golf and really feel that we must do everything possible to encourage youngsters into the game. They are the heart and soul of golf, " said Booth.

"I am truly honoured to be a member of the LGU - quite a unique organisation - and I look forward to hopefully using my position to further the game both at home and abroad."