O'Sullivan pipped

TheShort Game: Irish international Sinéad O'Sullivan (University College Dublin and Galway GC) lost out on a countback to Samantha Round (University of Gloucester) in the annual Royal & Ancient Foundation Bursars' competition over the Jubilee Course at St Andrews after both players shot gross 83s in difficult conditions.

Both came home in 40 so the countback went on to the last six, where Round, a plus two handicapper, prevailed with 24 to O'Sullivan's 27. Round had an eagle three downwind at the 415-yard par-five 14th, which helped her cause considerably.

Welsh international Ben Westgate, a student at the University of Exeter, made the long trip worthwhile by winning the men's title by three shots.

Westgate, who plays off plus two at Perranporth in Cornwall, shot a two-over-par 74 in gale-force wind which was reflected in his halves - five-over-par 41 into the wind on the way out and and three-under 33 wind assisted on the inward nine. Ross Duncan (Heriot Watt) was runner-up on 74.

Field up to scratch

Previous winners Eileen Rose-Power and Sinéad Keane, last year's winner Jennifer Gannon, runner-up Heather Nolan and recently crowned Irish Close Senior champion Eileen McMullen will all be in the field for the Mercedes-sponsored Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup on May 1st. This is the 34th year of the event, the longest running scratch cup in the country and is now part of the ILGU calendar counting for order of merits points.

Entry is limited to the first 66 handicaps of 12 and under. Entry forms are available from Scratch Cup Committee, Hermitage Golf Club, Lucan, Co Dublin (tel 01-6268491). Closing date April 21st.

MacMullen's stormer

Eileen MacMullen (Donegal) won the Women's Seniors Close championship in atrocious weather conditions at Dundalk last week. Despite the conditions MacMullen was the model of consistency with two rounds of 83 to win by one shot from Mary McKenna (Donabate), who stormed back into contention with an afternoon round of 80. Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) and Roma English (Larne) tied for third place, four shots back. Next year, the competition will join the ILGU's official fixture list and be run by the Union.

Race day for golfers

The Curragh racecourse will stage a golfers promotion at their bank holiday race meeting on Monday, May 2nd, with all GUI and ILGU card holders getting in free on presentation of their cards at the designated turnstile. In addition to seven races on the track, a variety of themed entertainment will be offered during the afternoon.

Useful publications

The R&A has recently revised two publications - Guidance on Running a Competition and A Guide to the Rules on Clubs and Balls. Initially printed in 2001 as a practical guide for committees and rules officials, the former contains recommendations on all aspects of running events, including drawing up conditions of competition, local rules, course set-up, and marking and administration.

While certain aspects will solely be of interest to committees with relatively little experience in competition administration, some of the more detailed matters referred to are relevant for top class amateur and professional events. Full of handy tips and information, this is essential reading for anyone involved in organising competitions.

A Guide to the Rules on Clubs and Balls, originally printed in 2002, contains guidelines to help tournament officials interpret the rules relating to the design and manufacture of golf clubs and balls, as set out in Appendices II and III of the Rules of Golf.

Eccles cancer event

Theresa Morgan, honorary secretary of the ILGU's Eastern District, is the main organiser behind a team event in aid of Eccles Breast Cancer screening programme. The competition, which takes place at Ardee on Thursday, May 19th, is a four-person team (any combination) and places on the time sheet are available at 041-6853227.

Rita makes history

Thursday is set to be an historic day for the RTÉ Golf Society. At Arklow Golf Club in Co Wicklow the captain's drive-in takes place and for the first time in the 43-year history of the society that honour will go to a woman - Rita Staunton. It is something Staunton is certainly looking forward to.

"I am certainly honoured with the captaincy. I had been asked several times over the years, but had always declined," she admitted. "I have been on committee for several years now, as treasurer. But I had always preferred to stay in the background. But I know I am amongst friends and am looking forward to the year ahead."

Staunton - who has since retired from RTÉ - joined the station's society in 1980, after many years of trying. She plays her club golf at Bray, which she joined in 1969 before becoming a full member in 1992. And it will be in Bray she will have her Captain's Day. That memorable occasion is pencilled in for September 2nd.

There are around 180 members in the RTÉ Golf Society, 20 of them women. They hold eight outings a year and Staunton will have Paul Tynan as her vice-captain for the coming 12 months.

Skerries centenary

This Saturday will see Skerries hold their commemorative Centenary Drive-In. To mark the occasion the club will hold a mixed club competition, just as they did back in 1905 when they held their first ever club competition.

Scheduled to start at 11am, the drive-in will see Michael Branagan and Joan Lewis officially take over as captains for the coming year. All living past captains have been invited to attend the drive-in, while there will be a special function later on Saturday night.

As part of their centenary celebrations Skerries will be holding a pro-am on May 27th.

Leinster Alliance tee off

The Leinster Alliance commence their season of outings on Sunday, April 24th when they play in Tulfarris. The tee times this year will be from 11.30am to 3.30pm. This year the Alliance are also pleased to announce that world number six Padraig Harrington has agreed to be patron in their efforts to promote Junior Golf by encouraging single figure handicap golfers to participate in their outings for a special junior prize.

The Alliance outings this year are: June 12th at South County; July 24th at Headfort (new); September 4th at Roganstown; October 2nd at the European Club and October 23rd at Seafield.

For tee-time bookings and further information contact Michael Neary at 01 - 2827297 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email: m@irishgolfbooks.com