Short Game:LEONA MAGUIRE, the defending champion, and her twin, Lisa, will be joined by Sarah Cunningham from Ennis and Aedin Murphy from Carlow for this year's French Under-21 Championship at St Cloud Golf Club, Paris, from April 1st-5th.
Leona beat Klara Spilkova of the Czech Republic 1 up in last year’s final, having won the under-18 title the previous year, while Lisa lost in the final of the under-21 in 2008.
The ILGU will bring a team of six to the Scottish Under-16 Strokeplay Championships at Strathmore Golf Centre, on April 8th and 9th.
The team is: Jessica Carty (Hollywood), Ariana Coyle-Diaz (Elm Park), Laura Fekkes (Larne), Collette McNicholl (Royal Portrush), Emma Murphy (Wexford) and Jean O’Driscoll (Muskerry)
The team is managed by Ber Murphy from Castletroy and Marie Collins from Headfort.
Donoghue wins final Alliance outing
AN eagle and four birdies from Eamon Donoghue of Beech Park helped him to win the Captain’s Prize at the Leinster Alliance’s final outing of the season at Castleknock on Sunday.
The eight handicapper played some superb golf in what were perfect playing conditions and on a course which was in a very fine state.
Donoghue shot an excellent score of 41 points to be a comfortable winner of the nett category and as a result Tony Frew’s much-sought- after Captain’s Prize.
His round contained an eagle on the par four fifth, while he also added four more birdies on his way around, which was good enough to leave the rest of the field trailing in his wake.
His score of 41 points left him four points better than second-placed nett Greg Murphy (5) from The K Club, who had the best of the 37s, and who edged out seven-handicapper Tom Ryan from Malahide on the back nine.
In the gross section, Tony Sheridan, a four handicapper from Hermitage, was the winner with 36 points, a single point clear of Bray’s Michael Quinn.
The Leinster Alliance, who play a number of outings over the winter months, also announced that Eoin Buckley from Hermitage would be their captain for the 2010/2011 season.
Castles Dargan and Galgorm join EuroPro Tour
THE PGA EuroPro Tour have added Castle Dargan, Co Sligo, and Galgorm Castle, Ballymena, to their list of venues for tournaments in 2010.
Castle Dargan, designed by Darren Clarke, will play host to the EuroPro Tour on June 2nd-4th, while Galgorm Castle is the venue on June 22nd-24th.
“Castle Dargan are delighted to be involved with the PGA EuroPro Tour and really looking forward to hosting the showcase for up-and-coming national and international professional golfers,” said Noel Conlon, general manager at Castle Dargan Golf Hotel and Wellness Resort.
Galgorm Castle Golf Club, along with the PGA EuroPro Tour, also breaks new ground as it will become the first EuroPro event to be staged in Northern Ireland.
The George Best Foundation is associated with the pro-am and dinner at Galgorm Resort Spa, which takes place on Tuesday, June 22nd, to raise funds for its many projects to “help provide children with a better lifestyle through participation in sport”.
The PGA EuroPro Open is a 54-hole strokeplay event where the professionals will contest the €40,000 prize purse with €10,000 going to the winner.
There are 13 tournaments on the PGA EuroPro Tour this season with the Irish events occupying key June dates on the schedule, culminating in the season-ending Tour Championship at Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus at the end of September.
Three aces on same day at same hole
THEY say lightning doesn’t strike twice, but it actually struck three times at Tullamore Golf Club on Saturday during their open fourball competition, as there were an incredible three holes-in-one during the day – all on the same hole.
All the celebrations were on the short ninth, a par three which despite measuring 148 yards off the blue stakes can be a testing challenge.
The Heath’s Tony Murray had the first ace in the morning, and then members Griffith Smith and Michael Lynam followed him later.
Meanwhile, the Offaly School of Special Education is holding a Golf Classic in Tullamore on Friday, May 14th. A team of four costs € 300, while sponsorship of a tee or hole is available for € 100. Details are available from Jim Smyth on 087 248 7525, email jimsmyth1@gmail.com or ring the school on 057 932 0537.
