Short Game

A round-up of today's other Golf stories in brief...

Book now to witness Harrington's bid

BOOK EARLY for the chance to see Pádraig Harrington bid for a third British Open title. Tickets are on sale for next year's Championship, with the RA maintaining prices for the British Open at Turnberry at their current level.

The championship will see Harrington attempt to become the first player to win three consecutive British Open Championships since Peter Thomson in 1956, and a large number of Irish spectators are expected to make the short trip across the Irish Sea to Turnberry to support him.

"I'm sure that Pádraig will receive big support from Ireland as he chases an historic third consecutive Open," said Dave Hill, the RA's director of championships.

A daily ticket for the four championship days, July 16th-19th, costs €70.

Under-16s will continue to be admitted free and concessions are available.

O'Driscoll fifth in Faldo grand final

EMMA O'DRISCOLL, from Ballybunion, the Irish representative, finished fifth at the Faldo Series Grand Final at the Costa Do Sauipe resort in Brazil recently.

The winner was English girls champion Hannah Barwood, who finished two shots clear of Jenna Birch of Royal Lytham and St Anne's.

O'Driscoll fired rounds of 82, 78 and 82 to finish 12 shots behind the winner.

This was the first Faldo Series Grand Final to be held outside Britain and was contested by 80 young golfers who qualified from events in 15 countries.

Competitors aged 12 to 21 came from as far afield as Iceland, Turkey, Russia and India to join this year's home countries qualifiers.

"It's our first final in a new continent and we've received a great welcome and some very generous support," said Nick Faldo.

Instinctive Golf founder Kendal McWade and Paul Eales are running a coaching summit at the Hacienda del Alamo resort in the Murcia region of Spain on November 25th to 28th for players and coaches interested in learning more about IGC and practitioners looking to go on the training programme.

For information go to www.golfkings.co.uk/summit, or email: kendal@instinctivegolf.com or phone: 0044 141 616 2626/ 0044 7770 810130.

Roche takes Leinster Alliance outing

STRONG winds and a testing course made life tough for competitors at the latest Leinster Alliance outing, which was held over Portmarnock Links on Sunday.

However, five-handicapper Des Roche from Arklow proved a model of consistency with two nines of 18 points to win the nett category.

He finished two points clear of Gary Donnelly (8) of Slade Valley, while taking third spot was Joe Hutton (7) of Corrstown who was the best over the last six holes after a host of players finished on 31 points.

Meanwhile, in the gross section Brendan McDonnell from Castelwarden, playing off five, was victorious with 29 points, one better than three-handicapper from Hermitage Eoin Buckley - son of Fintan Buckley, the Leinster GUI president.

Next up for the Alliance is a visit to Knightsbrook on Sunday, November 23rd. The timesheet is with Michael Neary on 01- 2827297 or email m@irishgolfbooks.com

New era as Ring of Kerry owners buy out UGC

UGC LTD, operators of the Ring of Kerry Golf CC, recently sold their interest back to the owners of the course, Trentdale Ltd.

And to kick-start this new era for the The Ring, Trentdale Ltd will sponsor an open three-person team event on Saturday, December 6th.

The entry fee for non-members is € 25 per person, with members paying € 10 per person.

Other special offers at The Ring include a green fee rate of € 25 per person, seven days a week, until the end of February.

With the many recent changes and improvements made to the course, fashioning a more player-friendly and even more aesthetically pleasing experience, according to the owners, it is the ideal time to visit The Ring.

Trentdale's main shareholders are Tommy McNicholas, Dominic Reid and McNicholas Construction (Holdings) Ltd. Trentdale, with the backing of McNicholas Construction, will ensure the future of the Ring of Kerry Golf CC, and aim to invest in and further enhance the facilities.

Meanwhile, in a continued bid to increase membership, the Ring of Kerry Golf Country Club is continuing to waive joining fees.

Full membership is available on payment of annual subscriptions only, with individual membership set at €695 and full family membership at €995.

Details available from email: reservations@ringofkerrygolf.com or telephone 064-42000.

North East pass available

IRELAND'S reputation as a high quality golf destination with affordable prices has been reinforced by the arrival of the new North East Golf Pass on the market. The pass retails for just € 190 for one round at each of three courses - Co Louth, Headfort and Knightsbrook.

The courses are located just off the M1 and N3 motorways and are among the best parkland and links courses Ireland has to offer.

Co Louth has a proud pedigree in hosting amateur and professional championships, most notably the 2004 Irish Open and the 2003 Vagliano Trophy, and are annual hosts to the East of Ireland Amateur Championships.

Headfort has two of the best parkland courses in Ireland. Headfort's new course, designed by Christy O'Connor jnr, uses the River Blackwater on many holes.

Knightsbrook, also designed by O'Connor Jnr, is built to USGA specifications. At 7,200 yards, it has sufficient length to challenge the longest hitters yet can be played by all standards thank to various teeing positions.

THE Open Fourball Winter Series at Druids Glen every Tuesday starts today. The cost is €200 per line and bookings can be made by calling 01-873600.

Local know-how sees Errity right

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE proved vital in the testing conditions as Pat Errity won the inaugural All-Ireland Mid-Amateur tournament at The European Club last week.

Errity shot a one-over-par 72, which included four birdies in seven holes from the eighth, to win the gross prize by three shots from Donabate's Pat O'Brien, with former Irish Close champion John McGinn from Laytown and Bettystown taking third place.

Mark O'Sullivan from Waterford Castle won the nett from Delgany's David Errity, brother of the winner, with Liam Canning from Woodenbridge taking third place.

THE Island Senior Cup player David Rawluk shot a final round 78 to tie for 15th place as the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, claimed fifth place in the CordeValle Collegiate.

Rawluk, after opening rounds of 74 and a best-of-the-day second round of 68, finished on 220 in an event won by Nick Taylor from Washington with rounds of 71, 71, 70 for a four-under-par 212. Southern California won the team event.