A mixture of new and old will play host to the provincial finals of the Musgrave Children's Hospital Club Challenge, a major new All-Ireland Inter-Club competition which is being staged for the first time this season. Three of the provincial venues for the competition - which is a three-person team event using the rumble format, i.e. first six holes, one score to count; second six holes, two scores to count; and the last six holes, all three scores to count - have been chosen. Beaufort GC in Killarney will stage the Munster finals on September 1st; Roscommon GC will play host to the Connacht finals on September 9th, and Mullingar GC will be the venue for the Leinster finals on September 11th. The host course for the Ulster finals will be announced shortly.

Supported editorially by The Irish Times, the team competition is open to all clubs affiliated to the GUI and clubs are reminded that qualifying events must be completed before the end of August with the provincial finals taking place in September. Each provincial winner will travel to Portugal - approved by the R and A for payment of expenses - to compete in the national final. By participating in this competition, clubs will assist Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in providing new equipment and facilities. This will include the biggest building project since the foundation of the hospital in 1956. The number of operating theatres will increase from four to seven at a total cost of £14 million.

Although the team entry fee will be decided by each club, the suggested fee is £30 per team (£10 per golfer) from which the club will retain its weekly competition subscription. Anyone seeking further information should contact tournament co-ordinator Pat Cashman at 01-455 8455.