Powerful Kilkenny tested

Eddie Power, the recently-crowned Irish Amateur Close Champion, was involved in another marathon struggle when Kilkenny were taken to the 19th before seeing off Waterford in the Bulmers Barton Shield, Leinster section, at Courtown. Power and his partner Ger Hogan won at the first tie hole against Lee Dalton and Matt Holohan after former international Padraig O'Rourke and Graham Nugent finished level with Denis Deasy and Gavin McNeill.

Another close encounter involved Greenore and Laytown and Bettystown at Dundalk. The all-Louth clash went to the fifth tie hole where the Greenore pair of Seamus McParland and Eamon McCartan beat Donal O'Brien and Finbarr Whelan when the Laytown partnership went into the water.

Leinster Champions Greystones survived a weekend of shocks at Woodbrook where first-round casualties included Newlands, Stackstown, Sutton and last year's finalists, The Island. Led by veterans Eddie Condren, the team includes his two sons Kevin and Alan and Jimmy Hackman. The holders survived a tricky quarter of the draw with victories over Malahide, Portmarnock and Bray to reach the Leinster finals.

The draw for the Leinster finals to be played at Powerscourt Golf Club on July 31st and August 1st is: Grange v Kilkenny; Westmanstown v Birr; Bodenstown v Greenore; Ballinascorney v Greystones.

Former Irish international Barbra Hackett from Castletroy was in fine form during the past week, but she must be wondering what she has to do to win. Playing off plus one, she started the week by winning the gross prize in the Lady Captain's prize with a one under par 74. But she was pipped for the main prize on the back nine. Amazingly, there was only one nett score better than her gross. Eimear Cregan, a 25 handicapper, shot a nett 73, the best score of the day. Two days later Hackett finished second, again beaten on the back nine, in the Shell Challenge at Castletroy with 41 points. She easily qualified to play in the finals at Limerick next month. Then on Saturday she was runner up once again, this time in the Lahinch senior scratch cup, five shots behind the winner Suzanne Fanagan O'Brien of Milltown.

Powerscourt Golf Club will play host to the Telecom Eireann-sponsored Special Olympics Ireland annual Corporate Golf Classic on Monday, July 20th. Special Olympics Ireland are celebrating their 20th birthday this year and are dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with learning difficulties. In Ireland over 12,000 athletes participate in year-round training and sports competitions. The cost of entering a team is £600 which includes dinner and Special Olympics Ireland can be contacted at 01-8720300.

The second annual Bill O'Herlihy Charity Trust golf classic takes place on Friday at Arklow GC. No, nothing to do with the chairman of RTE's World Cup panel. This Bill O'Herlihy was chairman of the Irish Kennel Club and his family set up a Charity Trust in his memory to raise funds for various charities.

Last year the day grossed over £3,000 and it was distributed to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin (£2,000), St Coleman's Hospice, Rathdrum (£500) and Kay Barry's Bosnia Aid (£500). This year the charity is Temple Street Children's Hospital.

The cost for a four-person team is £100. For further details and timesheet contact Gary O'Herlihy 087523141.

Liam Canning, the captain of Malahide Golf Club, leads by example. The 13-handicapper led the field home in the President's (Bob McAdoo) prize at the weekend. Canning's 40 points was just one better than Gary King (21 handicap), Michael T O'Rourke (17) and Billy Kelly (12) who all finished on 39, as did the winner of class one, Padraig MacGiolla Ri.

Lady Captain's Day at the Kerries Golf Club produced a tight finish between two of the Barrett family. Eileen, who plays off a handicap of 29, took the main honours with 34 points. But her sister in law Helen, playing off 36, had 35, but didn't qualify for the main prize because she hadn't sufficient cards submitted. She finished in third place behind another 36 handicap player, Vera Tierney, who scored 37 points but was also ineligible for the top prize.

Fiona Dunne made club history at Craddockstown last week. The 22 handicapper led the field of men and women home in the Rover Cup with a magnificent 65 nett. This is the first time that a woman has achieved this honour at the club, and it is also Dunne's first major success at Craddockstown. However, she will now have to wait until next month to see if her score is good enough for a place in the national finals at Malone Golf Club, Belfast, in August.

To mark the official opening of Grange Castle golf course, there will be an open fourball competition on Tuesday and Wednesday next. The course, which was designed by Paddy Merrigan, is located on the Nangor Road, between Clondalkin and Newcastle. The competition is open to all, with a £15 charge per team of two. For further information contact 01-4641043.