Ireland allowed to go it alone

Ireland's participation as a separate entity in next year's world amateur championship - for the Eisenhower Trophy - has been rubber-stamped by the World Amateur Golf Council. It follows a decision by the four "home" countries, and agreed by the Royal & Ancient, to end the traditional one-team (Britain and Ireland) entry.

The confirmation from the WAGC's administrative committee that Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales would be allowed to compete as four separate teams was anticipated.

But a move that is probably just as significant in terms of Ireland's aspirations to make a meaningful impact on the championship is the unexpected decision to reduce the size of the team from four players to three.

This decision has been taken to encourage more countries to play in the championship.

While the men have decided to go it alone in the world championships, no such moves have been taken by the women's home unions.

So, Ireland will remain part of a Britain and Ireland team for the women's championship (the Espirito Santo Trophy) under the auspices of the Ladies' Golf Union.

There were actually two Irish women - Alison Coffey and Suzanne O'Brien, who has since turned professional - on the Britain and Ireland team that finished third in that particular event in Berlin last year.

The Malaysian Golf Association, who will play host to next year's staging of the two championships, has announced revised dates.

The Eisenhower Trophy will be held from October 24th to 27th (it was previously scheduled to take place on October 10th-13th), while the Espirito Santo Trophy will be held on October 16th-19th (previously scheduled for October 2nd-5th).

Both championships will be hosted by Saujana Golf and Country Club, near Kuala Lumpur.

Both of Saujana's courses, designed by Ron Fream and opened in 1985, will be used for the championships. The Palm Course, nicknamed "The Cobra", has been the host venue for five Malaysian Opens.

Last February, Vijay Singh defeated Padraig Harrington in a three-hole play-off for the title.

While Irish amateur champion Coffey will again harbour strong ambitions to be part of the Britain and Ireland team for the women's world championship, of more immediate concern will be her quest for glory in the British Open amateur strokeplay championship, which takes place at Barassie links in Scotland next week.

Coffey missed out on a bronze medal by just one stroke in the weather-affected European strokeplay championship in Biella in Italy last weekend - which was won by Martina Erbel of Germany - and is one of four Irish players competing in the British strokeplay.

Coffey will be joined by Claire Coughlan, Hazel Kavanagh and SinΘad Keane.

Last year's championship at Royal Co Down was won by Rebecca Hudson, but she will have to face competitors from 11 countries if she is to successfully defend the title.

Among her rivals will be almost all of the British and Irish Vagliano Trophy members. However, Emma Duggleby will miss out this time, and she is injured at present.