Handicap motion faces battle

TheShortGame: Full handicaps and membership cards were high on the agendas when the annual delegates meetings were held in the four provinces last week. In Leinster, the motion on the use of full handicaps was passed by a small majority, but is unlikely to make it through the full a.g.m. of the GUI with two of the other provinces voting against.

There is also a difference of opinion on the use of the new membership cards at all open competitions and further discussion will take place at the a.g.m. in February.

Also in Leinster, there was good news for players in the Senior Cup, Junior Cup and Barton Cup, where the zoning will be extended for the 2005 season. At present there are eight zones, but this will probably be reduced to four, which will mean clubs will have a broader range of other clubs to play against.

A Headfort motion that members of the Fred Daly Trophy team must be members of the club for four years was passed in Leinster, but will also fail at the a.g.m. with Ulster, Munster and Connacht all voting against.

William P Murphy from Fermoy was elected chairman of the Munster Branch, while in Leinster Dick Lowth from Dun Laoghaire takes the place of the retired Mick McGinley.

Woods back for Limerick pro-am

Tiger Woods leads a strong international contingent of golfers who have already committed to play in the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am 2005 at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort on July 4th-5th 2005.

Woods has confirmed he will return to defend his title he won against some of the world's best players, including Ryder Cup opponents Padraig Harrington, Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinley. Also confirmed are Americans Rocco Mediate and Mark O'Meara along with Australians Stuart Appleby and Robert Allenby.

The 2000 event attracted an exceptional field of players who came together with celebrities from the worlds of sport and entertainment to provide some great golf and great fun, raising almost €€20 million for charity in the process.

The aim of the pro-am is to raise funds for charities in the Mid-West. All money raised goes directly to people with disabilities, the disadvantaged, the hospice and the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust.

The pro-am contributed directly to new medical equipment and an oncology centre for Limerick Regional Hospital, and a €6.5 million palliative care unit and extended care unit at Milford Hospice in Limerick

For the first time tickets for the event will be sold in the form of baseball caps. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (December 1st) in a limited number of outlets in Limerick city. Tickets are also available online www.jpmcmanusgolf.com. This is an opportunity for people to solve their corporate or personal gift ideas and make a contribution to local charities.

Tara leads Irish in US

Tara Delaney from Carlow is the top ranked Irish player on the US Collegiate scene. The Golfstat Cup standings place the Irish international, a student at Kent State University, as 131st with a stroke average of 75.67 through 15 competitive rounds in the first half of the college season. Maria Dunne from Skerries, a student at Bethune Cookman, is placed at 208th with a stroke average of 76.11.

Alison Walshe, who is eligible to play for Ireland and the US, is in 11th place with an average of 72.64. Scotland's Louise Kenney, is the only player from Britain and Ireland in the latest top 100 rankings. The Dunfermline girl, a student at Iowa State University, is placed 46th with a stroke average of 74.86.

The top two rankings are occupied by Swedes. Karin Sjodin (Oklahoma State) is placed just ahead of compatriot Louise Stahle (Arizona State), winner of the St Rule Trophy and then the British women's amateur open titles, both held in Scotland last June. Their stroke average is identical - 70.22. American Curtis Cup star Liz Janangelo (Duke University) is ranked third with a stroke average of 71.42.

Dream trip to South Africa

Looking for the opportunity to go to South Africa and see the sights over 21 days as well as play some golf and stay in five-star accommodation? Well if so this could be the opportunity for you. The first part of the trip sees you travel to Cape Town, then it is on to the Garden Route and Knysna - where the highlight is golf at the Royal Cape GC and a special "international" team competition on St Patrick's Day-- before finally moving on to Durban over the Easter period.

The cost for a golfer is €€4,450 p/p sharing, while a non-golfer is €€3,970 p/p sharing, excluding government taxes and travel insurance. The tour involves 18 nights accommodation including breakfast, eight competition golf games (with the option of extra golf), 10 extra meals, plus various tours which are organised. For anyone interested they should make contact with Pat Cashman or Litia at 01-6282249 or 087-2424451 or email litia@eircom.net or Travelworld at 01-4783611.