Madden leads Seniors:Irish Seniors champion Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) leads an experienced Irish team in their challenge in the Senior Ladies European Team Championships at Royal Drottningholm, Sweden, which starts today.
Madden is joined by Irish Close runner-up and leader of the Order of Merit table Valerie Hassett (Ennis), and the in-form Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine), who finished third in last month's Irish Close at Portumna.
Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange), Mary Gorry (Baltinglass) and Eileen MacMullan (Donegal) complete the line-up as Ireland look to improve on their 10th-place finish at Royal Waterloo in Belgium last year. The side is captained by Milltown's Rhona Fanagan and managed by Larne's Roma English.
There are 18 holes strokeplay today and tomorrow for qualification in flights of four. Two matchplay rounds then determine the final placings. While Ireland look to break into the top eight, defending champions France, England, Spain and Italy look strongest to qualify for the top four places.
Ring a real bargain
At a time of soaring costs, the Ring of Kerry have decided to waive the joining fee. For the remainder of 2007, full membership individual subs are €320 and family subs are €450. Subscriptions for all full members for 2008 have been set at €695 for individuals and €995 for families.
Ring of Kerry will also reduce their green fees significantly in 2008.
For more details contact The Ring of Kerry Club at 064-42000.
Walshe eyes Cup spot
Alison Walshe may have been born in Galway, but her mind is fixed on Scotland. The 2008 Curtis Cup is scheduled to be played at St Andrews next May, and Sunday's victory at the US North & South Women's Amateur certainly boost the college senior's chances of landing a spot on the US team.
On the same day as Padraig Harrington was winning the British Open, Walshe won her first US national amateur title in her fourth North & South appearance. Walshe, who keeps improving each year of college golf, winning three times last year at Arizona and finishing the season ranked 15th by Golfweek, beat Jenny Suh by 3 and 2 over Pinehurst No 2 to win the famed Putter Boy Trophy in the 36-hole final.
Forrest Little pro-am
To celebrate club professional Tony Judd's year as captain of the PGA Irish Branch, Forrest Little GC will hold a pro-am on September 3rd, with the proceeds going to the Special Olympics Ireland.
Judd and juvenile co-ordinator, former Shamrock Rovers star John Keogh have invited a host of sports personalities to take part in the event, including John Giles, Liam Brady, Liam Tuohy, Frank O'Neill, Mick Lawlor, Kevin Heffernan, Jimmy Keaveney, Barney Rock, Charlie Redmond and Paul Clarke. The event is being supported by John Courtenay of Umbro Ireland. Teams will consist of a professional, a sports personality and two amateurs. Contact John Keogh on 087-219 8852.
Munster finals all set
The Munster county finals in the McInerney-sponsored Holmpatrick Cup were completed last week when Newcastle West's Brian Hickey (6) and Frank Geary (13) outscored a quality field with 44pts at Limerick to book their place in the September finals. Earlier in the week, the father and son partnership of Brendan (15) and Sean (12) O'Sullivan travelled to Kinsale and with 42pts returned to their club, Glengarriff, with the Cork title.
Mastering very wet conditions in Clonmel, Pat Slattery (11) and Ian Geoff (5) from Slievenamon put together a winning score of 37pts to move forward from Tipperary, while 45pts was the winning target from Ceann Sibeal's Damien Duffy (6) and Kieran Clancy (12) at Castlerosse in the Kerry final. Woodstock hosted the clubs from Clare, with Jimmy McNamara (21) and Eddie Glenn (20) from neighbours Ennis taking the title
Dublin Boys deadline
The Paul McGinley endorsed Allianz Insurance - Grange Dublin Boy's championship takes place on Friday, August 10th, and entries for the popular 36-hole event close this Friday.
Open to boys under-16 with handicaps of 16 or over, applications should be made to Grange Golf Club, with 69 entries qualifying, strictly in the order of lower handicap.
Grange club Captain Shay Downer said: "We have seen many of the current stars figure in the Dublin Boys and we hope some more outstanding golfers will come to the fore."
Bubble Gum event
The Old Head of Kinsale is the venue for Bubble Gum Club Charity tournament on August 10th and 11th. The Bubble Gum Club arranges outings and surprises for children who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses and children in crisis. The Old Head event is a four-person team, with two scores to count on holes 1 to 16 and all four on the 17th and 18th. The cost per team is €3,000 and includes two days golf, BBQ on first evening, dinner on final day with overall and daily prizes. Details from tournament@oldheadgolf.ie or fax 021-4778022.
Morrin gets home win
Local Maura Morrin was an all-the-way winner of the Curragh Scratch Cup on Sunday with rounds of 72 and 74. Her 146 total gave her a one-shot win from Royal Co Down's Danielle McVeigh, who shot 75 and 72 for second place on a countback from Niamh Kitching from Claremorris (74 73). Irish Close champion Karen Delaney was a shot back on 148, the same mark as Cork's Gillian O'Leary. Niamh O'Connor from Naas won the nett with 134 off an eight handicap.
White realises dream
Patience, they say, is a virtue, so no one would have begrudged Philip White winning Frank Curley's Captain's Prize at Claremorris Golf Club. After 29 years of trying he finally realised his dream.
The Tullamore native and brother of former East of Ireland champion Dennis White shot rounds of 68 and 65 to held off last year's winner, Tom Higgins, by two shots after an additional nine holes. It was just reward for his effort as White had twice been runner-up in the Captain's Prize.
In third place was Keith Harte, who defeated Mickey Mullins and Martin Higgins on the back nine. John Bodkin of Tuam took the gross prize, while Danny McHugh was the Past Captains' winners.
The Captain also announced Claremorris were introducing a Hall of Fame award for services rendered to the club and this year's recipient is Billy Clarke.
Walsh doubles up
Carrick-on-Suir's Gemma Walsh has been showing a rich vein of form, and the loss of a number of shots hasn't stopped her progress. At the end of last month, she won the Lion's Club singles competition with a huge score of 45 points, and saw her handicap drop from 35 to 30. But lo and behold in Tess O'Shea's Lady Captain's Prize, she was once again victorious. Playing off her new handicap she fired a nett 67 to win by four from Patti Leonard (15), with Olivia Walsh (16) next best on 73. Tina O'Brien (9) was the gross winner.
Fagan in prizes
The various officers' prizes to ladies competitions have been good to Niamh Fagan at Elm Park Golf Club in recent weeks. Up first was Tony Morrissey's Captain's Prize, and 20-handicapper Fagan was only beaten on a countback for the top prize after she and Nano Brennan (6) shot 36 points. Club President Ita Butler (5) was the gross winner.
Then, last week in Butler's President's Prize to Ladies, the tables were turned as this time Fagan was to be the winner, edging out Rena McGowan (28) after both fired rounds of 71.
Brennan followed up her win in the Captain's Prize to Ladies with the top gross prize, with a score of 81, off her new handicap of five.
