THE SHORT GAME:THIS WEEK sees the first qualifying competition in the World Volvo Masters Men's Amateur series.
Teeing off tomorrow, 20 national qualifiers will take place across Ireland, with the top two with the highest Stableford score each day progressing to the national final at Killeen Castle on September 23rd.
Around 50,000 golfers from over 16 countries took part in the 2009 World Volvo Masters Amateur series. Only 48 progressed through to the various qualifying stages and received the opportunity to represent their nation in a thrilling World Final, staged to coincide with the Volvo World Matchplay Championship, and this year promises to be bigger and better.
To enter visit www.volvocars.ie or www.mygolfsociety.ie
Dates and venues:June 30th: Palmerstown House; July 2nd: Dundrum House; July 7th: Powerscourt; July 8th: Dromoland Castle; July 9th: Killarney; July 13th: Seapoint; July 14th: Castlemartyr; July 15th: Galway Bay; July 20th: Knightsbrook; July 23rd: The Heritage; July 27th: Glasson; July 29th: Co Carlow; August 6th: St Margaret's; August 10th: Adare Manor; August 13th: Old Head; August 18th: Castleknock; August 20th: Waterford Castle; August 26th: Ballyliffin; August 27th: Enniscrone.
Brothers all set for Boyne challenge
THE Boyne Brothers Golf Challenge takes place in Knightsbrook Golf Club on Friday and Saturday next, July 2nd and 3rd.
This unique All-Ireland event is in its third year and interest this year is high as it allows a team of brothers to prove their golfing prowess.
Twenty-five teams are already registered to play over the Christy O’Connor Jnr-designed course in Trim, Co Meath, with participants from all over the country, including Meath, Westmeath, Kerry, Derry, Kilkenny, Clare and Mayo.
Many famous family names from the sporting, political and entertainment world are due to participate.
There are still some places available on the timesheet and any family with three golfing brothers who may be interested in taking part should contact Gavin Hunt at 087 7585364 for further details and a place on the starting tee.
Smith takes Vaughan Scratch trophy
A FANTASTIC second round 72 saw Co Louth’s Deirdre Smith win the recent Vaughan Scratch Trophy at Lahinch Golf Club to maintain her excellent form this year.
Having opened with a 76, Smith found her form in the afternoon and added that 72 for a 36-hole total of 148. And that was just good enough to edge out Leinster team-mate Karen Delaney.
The Carlow golfer had opened with a highly impressive round of 70, but a 79 in the afternoon saw her lose out to Smith.
Victory in Lahinch was Smith’s second big win of recent times as she also won the Hermitage Scratch Cup in early May.
In third place in Lahinch was Claremorris’ Niamh Kitching on 154, following rounds of 74 and 80, while Louise Mernagh, Anna Courtney and Sinead Sexton all tied for fourth place.
NEXTmonth promises to be a busy one for Malahide Golf Club. The All-Ireland Mother and Son foursomes competition takes place at the north Dublin club on Friday, July 9th, while they will also host the Lancome Ladies Scotch foursomes on Monday, July 5th.
And on Sunday, July 11th, there will be a men’s senior scratch cup (handicap 4 or below) and junior scratch cup (handicap 5-9). Entries for all are on the club’s website www.malahidegolfclub.ie and click on the open competitions link.
Henderson favoured to retain Senior Close title
DEFENDING champion Marilyn Henderson from Castlerock will be among the favourites for the ILGU's Senior Women's Close Championship, which starts at Tullamore today.
Past international Helen Jones from Strabane looks the most likely to pose a threat to Henderson’s title defence having finished joint second at the European Senior Women’s Championships in Austria earlier this month to Virginia Burrus from Golf de Saint Cloud in Paris.
Other former Internationals Sheena McElroy (Grange) and Rhona Brennan (Bandon) will join Mary Madden (Ballinasloe), Violet McBride (Belvoir Park), Pat Doran (Donabate) and Valerie Hassett (Ennis) as players most likely to feature on the final day.
Competitors will play 18 holes over the parkland layout, using a mixture of ladies and gents tees this morning, with the top 32 qualifying for matchplay that afternoon.
Four more rounds over the next two days will see the champion crowned on Thursday afternoon.
An additional incentive for the field this year will be the valuable Order of Merit points on offer towards selection on the Senior Women’s European Team Championships to be held in Berlin at the end of August.
Roma English from Larne will captain the side and joins selector Rhona Fanagan from Milltown in the 65-strong field at Tullamore.
USA reclaim Palmer Cup
THE United States defeated Europe 13-11 to claim the Palmer Cup held at Royal Portrush last week. The victory was the Americans’ first in Europe since 2002 and gives the USA a 7-6-1 overall advantage in the Palmer Cup series.
Each side claimed four matches in final day singles action.
American David Chung, who holed out his second shot for a eagle at the first hole in his final match, was the only player to post a 4-0 record at this year’s Palmer Cup. It was just the 12th unbeaten performance in the 14-year history of the competition.
Ballyliffin pro-am attracts big field
BALLYLIFFIN GC are expecting some 104 teams to visit the Donegal venue for this year’s Pro-Am on July 23rd, 24th and 25th.
The top team will win a golf holiday in Spain. Entry forms are available on the club website www.ballyliffingolfclub.com or through the Irish PGA.
Another date for golfers is the Great North Links Challenge on October 6th, 7th and 8th.
The cross-Border tournament which was initiated last year is again proving popular, with up to 100 teams expected to battle it out on the links at Ballyliffin, Portstewart and Royal Portrush. Inquiries to Ballyliffin GC 00353 74 9376119.
PAUL DOYLE, a five-handicapper, went under par gross to win Don Casey's captain's prize at Powerscourt. He shot a 69 on the final day for a fantastic 44 points to go with his first round 34 to edge out runner-up Noel Cullinan (7) by a point.
