McGimpsey makes early exit

AS a weeding out process, the opening two matchplay rounds of the Ulster Bank sponsored West of Ireland Championship, went terribly wrong for some of the leading challengers at Enniscrone yesterday. While the wind rose and the temperature dropped, Garth McGimpsey, the defending champion, became the most notable casualty.

There were also unscheduled departures for the reigning Irish Close champion Peter Lawrie and last year's East of Ireland winner, Noel Fox. Like McGimpsey, they were heading home before the afternoon's play had reached an advanced stage.

Another current international, Pat Murray of Tipperary, discovered that the boost of an Easter gift can be painfully transient. Three down after seven holes in his morning match against Rory Leonard of Banbridge, Murray had the pleasant surprise of a warming cup of coffee from a total stranger.

It was totally unexpected and couldn't have happened at a better time," he said. "I was frozen." Revitalised, Murray went on to win his match on the 19th, but it would have taken more than a hot beverage to save him in the afternoon, when he lost on the 18th to Dermot Connolly of Douglas.

Meanwhile, Walker Cup player Jody Fanagan made impressive progress, despite his protests about a suspect game. After a competent morning win over Ballybunion's Sean Quinlivan he was two under par when thrashing Michael Sinclair of Knock in the second round.

"Long putting was the real strength in my game, he said afterwards. "I didn't give myself any awkward ones to hole out." This contrasted sharply with the fortunes of Sinclair who had a difficult time on the greens, three putting five times. But Fanagan added: "I still haven't rediscovered the feel I had last season."

McGimpsey could have echoed those words after losing on the 18th to fellow Ulsterman, Alex Meharg. It was a stunning turnaround for the champion, who hit sparkling form in the second qualifying round on Saturday, when he set a new course record of 70. Particularly impressive was a back nine of 31 which contained six threes, including an eagle at the long 12th.

But the magic disappeared overnight. All square with six to play, he lost the short 13th to a par and the 14th to a birdie three. Then came a kilter blow at the next, where be had a four foot second putt to win the hole, only to see the ball slip past the target.

"I was shaking like a leaf," said the 22 year old about his first meeting with McGimpsey. And after the biggest win of his career, Meharg had the composure to carry the form through to an afternoon match with the experienced Enda McMenamin.

By the time Meharg was conceded a 7 and 6 win, he had a 10 foot eagle putt on the 12th to be five under for the holes played. Indeed it was a very impressive performance, not least for the manner in which the younger man worked the ball in testing conditions.

If one were seeking a course expert here, it would be difficult to look beyond Eddie Power, winner of the Irish Close at Enniscrone in 1993. His competitive instincts were clearly in tune for a one hole win over former champion Colin Glasgow in the afternoon.

Power struck a decisive blow with a winning birdie two at the short 17th, and advanced to a fascinating third round tie with Warrenpoint's Paddy Gribben.

This match should decide the topquarter, while Bryan Omelia looks to be in control of the second quarter.

Meanwhile, the bottom half of the draw seems likely to be dominated by either Kenneth Kearney or Jody Fanagan, who are seeded to meet this afternoon. Before that, however, Kearney, the 1992 champion, must dispose of Kieran McCarthy who is showing himself to have been a worthy leader of the 64 qualifiers.

Hugh Mackeown, who gained international status 24 years ago, had a long day. In the last match of the draw, he beat John Curran by 2 and 1 in the morning and Stephen Browneby the same margin in the afternoon ended when the 55 year old Corkman chipped and putted the short 17th for a half.

Gribben has become something of a menacing figure, not least for the fact that he is returning to the championship after a lapse of six years, three of which were spent in professional ranks. Now 27, he will be remembered as one of the heroes of the Warrenpoint teams which captured the Irish Senior Cup and Barton Shield at Clandeboye in 1987.

He turned professional in 1991 and after three unsuccessful attempts at the European Tour School, decided to seek reinstatement as an amateur. "On the third occasion in 1994, I lost out in tie holes," he recalled. "I couldn't take any more. After that, I didn't hit a ball for two years.

Reinstated last September, Gribben has adopted the broomhandle putter to splendid effect. And it is clear that he's now thinking like a professional in the crucial element of course management. You must place your drives around here," he said, after beating Co Sligo's Scottish greenkeeper, George Patterson, by 4 and 3 in the second round.

Indicative of Gribben's solid craftmanship was eight pars and a birdie on the outward journey, before he eased clear of Patterson by winning the 10th, 12th and 13th in par, birdie, par. And as the casualties would have testified, it was a standard of play not easily attained.