Short game

A round-up of today's other golf news

Final four for interclub fourball event

FOLLOWING their regional final victories at Slieve Russell during the week, the Heath and Rockmount will join Milltown and Thurles in the semi-finals of the Miele Interclub Fourball Championship to be played at Glasson on Sunday, September 18th.

In the northern final, Rockmount got off to the ideal start when they won the top two matches, but were pegged back to 2-1 after Larne won the third on the home green. The issue was put beyond doubt however when Noreen Mikhael and Marie Donnelly closed out the final match on the 16th.

The western final, meanwhile, was a much closer affair with the Heath capturing the top two matches by a margin of nine holes. Portumna, who had been hoping to retain the national title they won 12 months ago, rallied strongly to win the remaining two ties 4 and 3 and square the match, but unluckily for them, lost out on countback by one hole.

On Monday Milltown and Thurles qualified for the national semi-finals after defeating the K Club and Youghal in the east and south regional finals at Thurles.

In the national semi-finals Rockmount will now play Thurles, while Milltown will face the Heath. Those semi-finals are scheduled for Glasson for Saturday, September 18th, with the final due to take place the following day.

Royal Portrush claim Irish Senior Cup after great start

ROYAL Portrush claimed their 24th Irish Senior Cup title after defeating a gallant Douglas team 4½-½ on Saturday at Cork Golf Club.

The northern side, who were pre-tournament favourites, got off to a fantastic start in the final with Lucy Simpson recording an early win over Aoife Lane in the fourth match.

Former Irish international Gemma McClenaghan, was involved in a tight affair with Karen O’Neill at the top of the order, but moved into a three-hole lead after 14 holes and proceeded to score a 4 and 2 win.

Star of the Royal Portrush team, Helen Jones brought the trophy north for the fifth time in eight years with a 4 and 3 win over Ailish Thompson in the bottom game, while moments later current international Charlene Reid edged out Eavan Higgins with a birdie at the 18th.

A final scoreline of 4½-½ in favour of the Ulster champions was confirmed when Maura Diamond and Kate MacCann were called in after 17 holes.

In the semi-finals Douglas, who had last won the senior title in 1990 and who had been seeking their 13th title in total, had defeated Laytown and Bettystown (who had exited the competition at the same stage last year) 3-2 after winning the top three singles matches on the final green.

In the other semi-final eventual winners Royal Portrush had accounted for Lahinch 4-1.

R&A launch rules app

KEEP up to pace with the Rules of golf. The R&A has launched an official Rules App for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iTouch. It is available to download for free from the iTunes App Store. The app allows the user to quickly find information about all aspects of the laws of the game from etiquette, through a summary of the fundamental rules, to the complete rules of golf (2008-2011). The guide contains images, diagrams and video footage. Also included is a guide to the etiquette of the game, in which Pádraig Harrington explains pace of play, care of the course, and consideration for other golf course users.

Irish Open success for Make-A-Wish

THE 3 Irish Open in Killarney raised €39,034.98 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Make-A-Wish, the chosen charity of this year’s event, helped turn the Killarney GC purple on the Friday in order to raise awareness of the charity’s work of granting wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Players, caddies, officials, staff and fans alike turned out in their purple finery to support the cause.

Through the partnership of 3 and the Tour Players’ Foundation, the charitable arm of the European Tour and its players, along with a number of the event sponsors, several fundraising initiatives were undertaken in the run up to and throughout the tournament.

These included the auction of - Inside the Ropes – Caddie Experiences for 3 of the top players, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry during the pro-am, and the sale of “Purple Hats” with all proceeds going to Make-A-Wish.

Lester to lead Leinster boys

ROWAN LESTER from Hermitage, winner of the Ulster Under-15 Boys Championship, leads the Leinster team in their quest to claim the inaugural Under-15 Interprovincial Championship at Naas GC on August 26th and 27th.

LEINSTER: Niall Foley (The Island), Rowan Lester (Hermitage), Paul McBride (The Island), Jack Walsh (Castle), Colin Woodroofe (Blainroe). Team captain – Tony Goode (Lucan). Team manager – Jack Dempsey (Malahide).

CONNACHT: David Brady (Co Sligo), Jonathan Doherty (Ballina), Sean Flanagan (Co Sligo), Ronan Mullarney (Galway), Charlie McMickan (Athlone). Team Captain: Jimmy Duggan (Galway).

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LOCAL Garreth Mallon shot rounds of 75 and 76 to win the Ballyliffin Scratch Cup by one shot from Foyle’s Davian McKenna who had rounds of 74 and 78. Paul Van Dessel from Ballyliffin edged out Co Louth’s Simon Ward for third place on a better second 18 after both finished on 153.

Ryan McLaughlin made it a Ballyliffin double when taking the junior event on a countback from North West’s Seán Crossan.

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A PRO-AM will take place in honour of former club professional Owen Mulhall in the new Dún Laoghaire Golf Club next Tuesday, August 24th. The cost per team is €200 and place on the time sheet are available at 01-272 1866 or email: booking@dlgc.ie

Mixed foursomes eye Sutton date

THE Joe Duffy Motors-sponsored Sutton Mixed Foursomes matchplay will take place on September 4th and 5th.

The local pairing of Tom McCreevy and Ann Moran will defend their title when the qualifying round begins on Saturday, September 4th, with four pairs advancing to the semi-finals on Sunday morning with the final scheduled for the afternoon, September 5th. For places on the time sheet contact Conor Russell at 01-8321703.

THE closing date for this year’s Connacht Veterans Open Championship, sponsored by Glenmuir, has been extended to August 23rd. The event is at Castle Dragan GC, Sligo, on September 7th-8th. Waterford’s Gerry O’Keeffe is looking forward to defending his title.

The Connacht Mid-Amateur Championship is at Roscommon GC on September 25th and 26th where Galway’s Eddie McCormack will be defending the title. Entries close on September 10th.