SHORT GAME:JP Kelly from Naas took the honours in the fourth Hilary outing for 2010 which was held last Sunday week in Royal Dublin.
A testing wind across the north Dublin links made scoring difficult and it was a close run contest, but in the end Kelly’s 74 was good enough to just about beat local player Mark Murnane on the back nine.
Castle’s Stephen Webster shot a fine 77 – including an impressive finish of three birdies in his last five holes – to take the gross prize.
Meanwhile, Gary Cullen of Beaverstown continues his dominance of the professionals section. His 76 was good enough once again to claim the best pro score on the day. It also consolidated his lead in the race for the Hilary Gold Medal and with only three outings remaining he will be difficult to catch.
The next outing for the Hilary Society is in Baltray on Sunday and details are available on www.hilarygolf.ie
Irish Open pro-am details released
DEFENDING Champion Shane Lowry was on hand last week to announce details of this year’s 3 Irish Open Pro-Am, which will take place on Wednesday July 28th at Killarney prior to the start of the 3 Irish Open. This year there will be four regional qualifying competitions which will take place across the country in the coming months. Each regional competition will give teams the opportunity to compete with some of the worlds best golfers at the 3 Irish Open Pro-Am in Killarney.
Clubs and interested individuals must register their golf club details online at www.three.ie/pro-am before next Wednesday, March 31st, where full details are available.
An open draw for each province will then take place, with 20 mens and 20 womens team selected for the regional finals. The Munster regional final is in Killarney on Thursday, May 13th, the Leinster final in Mullingar on Thursday, May 20th, the Connacht final in Glasson on Thursday, May 27th and finally the Ulster final in Donegal on Wednesday, June 2nd. This years 3 Irish Open will take place at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club over the August Bank Holiday weekend from the Thursday, July 29th through to Sunday, August 1st. The event will be staged on the Killeen course in Killarney and will no doubt once again attract the top names in world golf to Ireland.
Malahide take first place on day when everyone was a winner
MALAHIDE GOLF CLUB were victorious on home soil in the Special Olympics Eastern Region Areas 2 and 3 Skills competition recently.
The competition was based on six skills/disciplines – Short Putt, Long Putt, Chip, Pitch, Iron and Wood shots, with the athletes being scored according to accuracy and distance.
After tough competition in all the skills, it was Malahide’s own Athletes who were to be triumphant on the day. Although, when you witnessed the enjoyment on all the athletes faces and their dedication, everyone was a winner.
JOINING a club:Knockanally GC, in Kildare, are offering a special deal for new members of a Share Offer for €1,500 to include membership fee for 2010.
Also included for those taking up the offer is a draw where one lucky winner will be able to redeem their investment.
For details contact 045-869322 or email: golf@knockanally.com
Power guides Tennessee State to college victory
IRISH International Séamus Power from West Waterford, won individual honours for the fourth time in his college career, as the East Tennessee State University took the team championship in the General Jim Hackler Championship at the TPC of Myrtle Beach.
The number 31-ranked Buccaneers, who had four players in the top 22 on the individual leaderboard, had three shots to spare over second placed Coastal Carolina to captured a team title for the second time this season after having won the JU Invitational earlier this spring. Power, who finished at one-under-par 215 after rounds of 69, 71 and 75 tied with Pepperdine’s Josh Anderson for the individual title, while ETSU junior Rhys Enoch from England, tied for seventh at three-over 219. Other quality efforts by the Bucs included a tie for 20th by Michael Stewart (Troon, Scotland) and a tie for 22nd by junior Paul O’Kane from Castledawson in Northern Ireland.
Power, who has now won an individual title as a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior, said surviving the pressure of holding the second round lead and then closing the deal was special. And he added that as a team, the Bucs are finding their stride. “My game feels good right now and I was driving it well the last couple days which helps on a course like this one. The pressure of having everyone chase you is definitely different, but it was fun,” Power said.
McVeigh looks for winning start
LOCAL player and Ireland international Danielle McVeigh will be among the favourites for this week’s Royal County Down Women’s Scratch Salver as the 36-hole event over the championship links at Newcastle kicks-off the domestic season.
McVeigh is the reigning Ladies British and Wales Open Strokeplay champion and will look to get her 2010 season under way with a win at the RCD event, which is also the first ILGU ranking event event of the year.
“The Royal County Down Ladies Scratch Salver is one of the most prestigious events on the fixture list and I look forward to competing against some of the best players in Ireland around my home course,” said McVeigh.
“Niamh Kitching won last year’s event with a great score of four under) and I’m sure the competition will be just as strong this year. Hopefully I can put local knowledge to good use and challenge for honours and add my name to the illustrious list of former winners.”
The Bridgestone-sponsored event is in its 15th year and is open to the top 50 entrants with a handicap limit of 12. Courtesy practice is available from 4pm on Saturday, March 27th, or by arrangement through Royal County Down GC.
Deadline extended
A surge of late entries has prompted organisers to extend the closing dates for entry to the 2010 PGA EuroPro Tour Qualifying School to 3pm tomorrow.
On-line entries are still being taken for stage one qualifying at both Slaley Hall, Northumberland and The Players Club, Bristol – players wishing to apply can do so at the official website: www.europrotour.com.
The successful graduates will go through to final stage qualifying at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire from April 7th-9th.
The top five on the final Order of Merit table will secure 2011 European Challenge Tour cards.
