Short Game

McVeigh Ireland's best at St Andrews

ROYAL CO DOWN'S Danielle McVeighled the Irish challenge after an impressive final round of 71 to finish in fourth place at the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews over the weekend. McVeigh fired rounds of 81, 74 and 71 for a 226 total.

Scotland's Kylie Walker, from Bachanan Castle, won the 54-hole tournament for the second successive year.

Walker carded two rounds of 71 over the Old Course on Sunday after an opening 76 saw her finish on 218 - two clear of Curtis Cup teenager Carly Booth.

Pamela Pretswellfrom Bothwell Castle, who dominated the strokeplay stages of the recent Scottish women's amateur championship, finished third on 225 with scores of 77, 75 and 73, with McVeigh next.

- THE Balbriggan Lions Club annual open event has been rescheduled for Sunday next, at Balbriggan GC. Time sheet at 01-8412229.

Stracey claims Seniors Open title

ANDREW STRACEY, from the Littlestone golf club in Kent, fired a final round of 78 to win the Irish Seniors Amateur Open Championship, sponsored by the Algarve Tourist Board, at Bangor.

A one-handicapper, Stracey was contesting the championship for the first time and following his opening rounds of 71 and 70 he held a convincing five-shots lead over Doneraile's Michael Quirke.

Quirke steadily closed the gap during the final round and played solid golf to edge to within two strokes of Stracey with three holes to play. Stracey birdied the 16th but his lead was reduced to one thanks to a fantastic eagle three from the Corkman.

The two finished with pars for Stracey to became the first English winner of the event since Cliff Hartlandsecured his third title in a row in 1992.

Irish Seniors international John Carrollfrom Bandon GC captured the trophy for over 60s players, while Peter Cowley from Cork GC won the over 65s trophy.

Vagliano side to play in Irish Open

TWENTY ELEVEN, in association with the Ladies European Tour and the Ladies Golf Union, have completed a unique arrangement that will enable the top nine amateur golfers from Britain and Ireland to play in this year's AIB Ladies Irish Open at Portmarnock Links on June 26th-28th.

Under team captain Mary McKenna, all nine members of the team selected for the Vagliano Trophy on June 15th will be invited to play in the Irish Open as preparation for the matches against the Continent of Europe in July.

There is a possibility several Irish amateurs could qualify for the Vagliano team, including Lisaand Leona Maguireand Danielle McVeigh, who all have been showing good form recently.

The line up for the event will include European legend Laura Daviesand three time previous winner Sophie Gustafson.

In addition all the top players from the LET have entered. These include last year's number one, Gwladys Nocera, and current leaders Marianne Skarpnordand Melissa Reid. The Irish challenge will be led by Martina Gillen, Rebecca Coakley, Claire Coughlan-Ryan, Hazel Kavanagh, Marian Riordanand rookie Tara Delaneyfrom Carlow.

Eight claim Irish Senior Cup quarter-final spots

BANDON, Co Louth, Kilkenny, Laytown and Bettystown, Muskerry, Roscommon, Royal Portrush and Slieve Russell have qualified for the Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals to be played at Mount Wolseley on August 14th-15th.

In the Eastern District, Co Louth emerged victorious after beating hosts Laytown and Bettystown in the final. Good news for Laytown and Bettystown is they claimed one of the three wildcard places with a combined handicap of 16.

The Southern section of qualifying saw a new club crowned champions when host club Bandon beat a talented young Muskerry side to lift the trophy for the first time in this, their Centenary Year.

Bandon, led by Rhona Brennan, surprised opponents throughout the weekend, with wins against Tipperary, East Cork and defending champions Ennis in the semi-finals. Muskerry claimed the final wildcard place with a combined handicap of 26.

Roscommon will represent the Western District for the fourth time in the last six years after victory over Ballinasloe in the final.

In the Midland District, defending Champions Kilkenny beat home favourites Enniscorthy 3½-1½ in the final.

Slieve Russell defeated Royal Portrush with a 19th hole win for Bronagh Lunneyto claim their first Northern District title. Royal Portrush claimed a wildcard spot with a combined handicap of 11.

Quinn keeps captain's prize in-house

THEY were certainly keeping it in the family at Sutton golf club during the week when Billy Quinnheld his captain's prize to the ladies. Played over 36 holes in very windy conditions it was eventually won by his wife Heather Quinnwith a score of 62 points. After the first round, Quinn, playing off a handicap of 21, was well off the pace in 18th position and trailed the leading player by nine points.

However, a magnificent score of 35 points in very testing conditions on day two last Tuesday propelled her into a winning position to claim her husband's prize by one point from Cathy Bryce(14), while Margaret Martin(35) was third on 60 points. Ten-handicapper Emer Diganwas the gross winner.

Not only was Quinn's score on day two the best on the day, she also won the two's competition thanks to a fantastic eagle two on the 10th.

Naturally, the captain was delighted the pendant, which he had carefully selected, with some assistance from Heather, was going to remain in the family.

Meanwhile, nobody in the club can recollect when this happened before, although Nora Connorwon her husband Gerry Connor's prize in 1975, but on that occasion he was the club president.

This is the second time Heather has won the captain's prize to the ladies, as she won Neville Calvert'sprize in 1979.

Ace sets up Duggan for Highfield prize

A HOLE in one can go a long way to helping your scorecard. And that was certainly the case last Sunday week when Highfield held their vice-captain's prize. Avril Duggan- playing off a handicap of 28 - had double reason to celebrate at the end of the day. Not only was she a comfortable winner of the competition with 43 points but she also marked the occasion with an ace on the 120-yard third hole, helping her to a three-point victory over Nora Walsh(14).

Meanwhile, on the same day in Tralee, 17-handicapper Anita Lynchaced the 13th hole on her way to a total of 34 points and a three-point win over Gorreti O'Connor(21) in the weekly singles competition.