Short game

Compiled by SHAY KEENAN

PGA seek inaugural Ryder Cup medals

THE PGA are on the look-out for some of the Ryder Cup medals from the opening match in 1927.

At last year’s event in Celtic Manor the Ryder Cup memorabilia collection in the tented village proved a highly-popular attraction and now PGA Heritage executive David Wright is hoping for further additions to the collection.

The medals, inscribed with the PGA crest on the front and the name of the player on the back, were given as a token for taking part in the 1927 matches, which were won by the US at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts.

The PGA already possesses one in its heritage collection. This was donated to the association by the grandson of Fred Robson, who played in the first three matches. The British and Irish team was captained by Ted Ray and the rest of the team comprised Aubrey Boomer, Archie Compston, George Duncan, George Gadd, Arthur Havers, Herbert Jolly and Charles Whitcombe.

“If there was one there must be eight others out there somewhere,” said Wright. “I’ve no idea where, perhaps in a descendant’s attic or uncovered for lack of interest. Either way we would welcome the opportunity to find out and if possible acquire them.”

If anyone has Ryder Cup memorabilia they should email david.wright@pga.org.uk

Kelly wins on countback at Hilary Society event

THE RaboDirect Hilary Golf Society season got under way at Laytown and Bettystown at the weekend and despite difficult weather conditions the scoring was excellent.

Gerard Kelly (UCD/Co Louth) proved the best of the large crowd and had a fantastic 66 gross giving the plus-one handicapper a nett score of 67.

Portmarnock’s Donal Quinn, playing off a handicap of five, also coped well with the testing conditions and carded a fine 67 nett but Kelly took the honours on a countback.

Eoin Arthurs from Forrest Little had six birdies on his way to an impressive 68, which was good enough to win the gross on a tie from Co Louth’s Danny Coyle. Caolan Rafferty of Greenore, playing off a handicap of one, was third with 68. Royal Dublin’s Mark Murnane and Niall O’Sullivan teamed up with runner-up Quinn to win the team prize.

The next event for the Hilary Society is a visit to the Portmarnock Links on Sunday, February 20th and details on that outing and the rest of their season are available on www.hilarygolf.ie

FRANKIE NORTH wrote himself into the history books at West Waterford when he had his second ace within seven days. Having done the business on the 11th last weekend, the 12-handicapper went on to complete the double on the fourth hole last Wednesday.

Cornett to captain US Curtis Cup side

THE United States Golf Association have selected Dr Patricia Cornett, of Mill Valley, California, as the captain of the 2012 USA Curtis Cup team.

The Curtis Cup is a biennial competition between amateur teams from the USA and Britain and Ireland, first played in 1932 at Wentworth Golf Club. Cornett was a member of two USA Curtis Cup teams, in 1978 and 1988.

“I am humbled to be selected as captain of the 2012 United States Curtis Cup team and follow the legacy of Harriot and Margaret Curtis,” said Cornett.

Cornett has played in more than 50 USGA championships, starting with the 1971 US Girls’ Junior and including eight US Women’s Open Championships. She was the runner-up at the 1987 US Women’s Mid-Amateur and was a semi-finalist in that championship in 1992 and 1999. She also advanced to the semi-finals of the 1976 and 1992 US Women’s Amateurs.

Harding's ace key in alliance win

HELPED by a hole-in-one at the par-three 10th hole, John Harding, a three handicapper, from the North West GC fired a three-under-par 69 to win the North Western Alliance outing to Portsalon on Saturday.

Harding finished two shots clear of Letterkenny’s Keith Sheils (8) with Eamonn Davis (10) also from Letterkenny, third on 72. Noel Callan, a scratch payers from Faughan Valley, shot a 76 to win the gross from Keeland Quigg from City of Derry and Justin MacLochlainn from North West after both finished on 77.

The next outing of the Alliance is at Ballyliffin GC next Saturday, February 12th.

THE founder of the JB Carr Diamond Trophy, Fr Jerry O’Brien, died in Florida last week. He had been in Florida playing golf, took ill and unfortunately he did not recover.

A wonderful story teller, he was past captain and president of Woodenbridge GC. He was a great friend of the late Joe Carr and between them they came up with the idea of a national competition for the over 60s, the JB Carr Diamond Trophy, which has been running successfully for the last 16 years. He was an honorary member of Pine Valley GC in the USA. He will be sadly missed by all.

Quartet set for Portuguese Amateur

THE Golfing Union of Ireland have selected four players – Paul Cutler from Portstewart, Alan Dunbar from Rathmore, Eddie McCormack from Galway and Jeff Hopkins from Skerries – to compete in the Portuguese Amateur Open Championship at the Montado Golf Club from February 17th-20th.

Cutler won the Lytham Trophy last year and was also a member of the European Amateur and Home Internationals teams.

Dunbar won the Irish Amateur Open Championship at Royal Dublin last year and was also a member of the European Amateur and Home Internationals teams.

Hopkins finished runner-up in last season’s Irish Youths Amateur Close Championship, while McCormack was runner-up to Rory Leonard in the 2010 West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Sligo.

THE Links Golfing Society will complete its winter series with the President’s, Des Smyth, prize at the Royal Dublin GC on February 24th.

McCorduck begins term

MARJORIE McCORDUCK was elected president of the Irish Ladies Golf Union for 2011-12. McCorduck began her two-year term of office after taking over from Anne Wallace at the ILGU agm.

McCorduck brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having served as a member of both the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) and ILGU in the past 10 years.

Originally from Templemore, Co Tipperary, McCorduck is a member of Roscrea and Courtown Golf Clubs. She was Lady Captain of Roscrea in 1977 and represented both clubs in Senior Cup on many occasions, having achieved her lowest handicap of four.