Other golf news stories

Congu seeking new secretary 

DUE to the retirement early next year of their secretary, the directors of Congu Ltd are seeking his replacement. It is a part-time position but requires total commitment and working from a home base.

Applicants must be well versed in all handicapping matters in accordance with the Unified Handicapping System (UHS). A working knowledge of the Rules of Golf would be an advantage.

All interested should apply in writing by October 31st, giving details of golf administration experience to: Kevin McIntyre, Secretary, Council of National Golf Unions, Toberdoney, Dromin, Dunleer, Co Louth.

 Nelson and Cleary crowned Coronation queens in Eden

THERE was success for Ireland in Scotland last week when Joan Nelson and Marie Cleary from Corrstown Golf Club won the Ladies Golf Union’s Peugeot Coronation Foursomes championship grand final over the Eden course at St Andrews.

Nelson, who plays off 22, and 26 handicapper Cleary played some fantastic golf in the windy conditions, carding a nett 66 off half their combined handicaps to score 43 points, including two nett eagles at the third and the fifth holes added to seven nett birdies.

And there was an added bonus for the Corrstown pairing as by virtue of their win they also won a place in the pro-am of the 2010 Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale, where they will be paired with one of the world’s leading women professionals.

“This is the first year that the LGU has organised area finals in Ireland and thus we are delighted that the winners have come from this new element,” said Susan Simpson, the LGU’s Head of Golf Operations.

The Irish pair finished well clear of the rest of the field, with Lincolnshire’s Margaret Hartley and Jane Evans, from the Elsham club, finishing second with 35 points.

To cap a marvellous day LGU chairman Brigid McCaw, also from Ireland, had a hole in one at the fifth hole in a non-counting round with LGU president Maureen Lockett at the end of the field.

Foursomes joy for Douglas ladies

DOUGLAS, semi-finalists in 2008, went one better at the AA Insurance Championships at Royal Tara last week when they won the Senior Foursomes. After narrowly beating 2006 champions Carlow in the semi-final, they went on to account for Ballycastle in the final 2½-½. Led by former internationals Eavan Higgins and Kate McCann, the other members of the winning team were Karen O’Neill, Deirdre O’Hanlon, Wendy Daly and Sabina Nagle.

Edenmore GC completed the double in winning the Junior Foursomes and the Intermediate Cup. A young club, 14 years in existence, they impressed all week with Cherry Logan and Zoe Allen doubling up on both teams.

In the Challenge Cup, Castletroy edged out Mullingar, while Dublin City GC were crowned Junior Cup Champions, defeating Mallow 4-1 in the final but lost out on a double in the Challenge Cup to Mullingar.

Blessington Lakes recorded a 4½-½ win against Rockmount GC from Belfast to take the Minor Cup. Blessington Lakes, known as Boystown, when they won the Challenge Cup in 2006 had three players from that team – Marie Clarke, Nolene Mullen and Mary Fitzpatrick, all losing more than 10 shots apiece in the intervening years.

Meadow ahead of the field in Florida

ROYAL Portrush’s Stephanie Meadow (right) finished level par to win the under-19 category of the International Junior Golf Tour’s (IJGT) first Florida event of the autumn season at Champions Gate Golf Club.

Meadow, a Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy standout, played some great golf over the 36 holes on what was a difficult course to secure a four-stroke victory.

Afterwards, she said she hit the ball very well off the tee and was able to control her iron shots which put her in great position on the greens.

A delighted Meadow said: “I really hit the ball well and was able keep my score low. I think this course was very well set-up and although it was difficult at times, it was a good course to play.”

This win is a great start for what will be a busy season for Meadow.

Following behind Meadow’s rounds of 74 and 70 was Mallory Viera who returned 75, 73. Yingzhou Yun of Howeyin-the-Hills was able to play two rounds of steady golf, earning her third place in the division with a tournament total 149.

Meadow’s next event will be the PING Invitational, where the top 45 boys and 27 girls in the USA compete over three rounds at the Karsten Creek Golf Club, Oklahoma, the number one ranked tournament in the USA at this level.

Irish Colleges Golf Association take 3

IRELAND’S mobile network 3 have announced a one-year sponsorship agreement with the Irish Colleges Golf Association.

The events on the ICGA calendar which 3 will sponsor include the ICGA Inter-varsity Championship, with the first event on October 8th and 9th at Enniscrone Golf Club as well as the ICGA Inter-varsity Leagues.

Commenting on the new sponsorship agreement, Irish Colleges Golf Association Secretary John Carey observed: “The Irish Colleges Golf Association is delighted to welcome 3 on board as sponsorship partners. The ICGA is in place to provide competitive golf to students, allowing students from the entire island of Ireland to participate.

“All of the major colleges and institutes of technology take part in our event, the ICGA intervarsity league, which gives students, the opportunity to compete at a high level within their chosen sport.

Ireland go for Seniors Home hat-trick

IRELAND go in search of a third title in a row at the Seniors Home International at Westport GC, starting this morning.

The Ireland team of Tom Cleary (Cork), Maurice Kelly (Killeen), Adrian Morrow (Portmarnock), Séamus McParland (Greenore), Michael Quirke (Doneraile), Barry Reddan (Co Louth) and Hugh Smyth (Mourne) won the title in 2008 at Tenby Golf Club, Wales, with 2½ points following a draw with Scotland and wins over Wales and England.

Captain for the defence of the title is Carlow’s Barry Doyle, who is looking forward to the challenge at Westport. “We will face tough opposition, but I believe that we can win the trophy for the third year in a row.”

Each team is represented by seven players who play three foursomes and six singles on each of the three days of competition.

Scotland, however, will be hoping to add to their solitary win in the event which came in 2002 on home soil at Dunbar GC.