A round-up of today's other Golf stories
McElhinney takes the honours
BRIAN McELHINNEY was in top form at the North Western Alliance outing to the Old Tom Morris course at Rosapenna on Saturday.
Golf Ireland's professional shot a three-under-par 67 to win the gross prize by six shots from local plus one handicapper Enda Kennedy. Kieran Cunnane from Woodstock edged out Pádraig MacLochlainn from the North West club for fourth place after both finished on 74, with Rosapenna pair John McBride and Michael Bonner next on 75.
Rosapenna five handicapper Michael Bradley won the nett on a countback from Omagh's Owen Doody after both shot rounds of six-under-par 64.
They finished three clear of Letterkenny's Peter Muldoon who shot 67, the same score as Mark McColgan and Eugene Corry, both from Strabane, with Conor McGettigan next on 68.
The next society outing is at Ballyliffin GC (Old Links) on December 6th.
Attractive introductory deal on offer at Donabate
DONABATE Golf Club have come up with a novel new category of membership which they are terming "introductory member".
Membership of this category is open to males and females and will be for a tenure of three years or otherwise as determined by the club council.
The annual subscription will be not less than the subscription paid by ordinary members.
Such members will enjoy full playing rights. However, they will have no ownership or voting rights and cannot serve on any club committee.
At the end of the three-year period they will have an opportunity to join as full members of the club at an entrance fee to be decided by the council.
The ordinary membership for the coming year has been set at €1,341.
For further details on the membership offers at the club, which boasts 27 holes, contact the club at info@donabategolfclub.com, www.donabategolfclub.com, Tel 8436346, Fax 8434488.
Walsh's record of achievement
BEFORE Pádraig Harrington, no European-born golfer had claimed back-to-back British Open titles in over a century.
In a new book by, Linton Walsh, Through The Lens, he takes the reader on a 224-page photographic journey through some of Irish sport's most memorable moments, with images of Harrington as he battled his way to his three major victories, the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie, the 2008 British Open at Birkdale and the 2008 US PGA Championship at Oakland Hills CC.
Through The Lensis a Golf Digest Ireland book published by Walton Media and is available across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, at € 16.99/£13.50.
Four go aces high at Headfort
IF it is holes in one you are looking for then it would appear that Headfort Golf Club in Co Meath is the place to go to try your luck.
Despite the testing nature of the club's courses, the members managed to have four aces during the season just finished, with two on each of their wonderful courses.
On the Old Course, the 10th hole was aced twice during 2008 with Michael Hennigan and Jim Blake being the accurate shot-makers from the tee.
The 11th hole on the New Course was where Tommy Cole had his hole in one, while Brian Mason aced the 17th hole on the New Course.
Meanwhile, at the club's recent awards ceremony, Noel Casey was the Golfer of the Year for 2008.
Cotter celebrates fantastic season
THE LADIES' honours for 2008 were recently handed out at Carton House and taking the majority of the plaudits was Valerie Cotter, who for the second season in a row collected the Golfer of the Year title.
Her success was not surprising given that she had a fantastic season, winning the ILGU Silver Medal, ILGU Silver Spoon and the ILGU Pendant, as well as four of the club's monthly medals. The other medal winners were Carmel Boucher, Kathie Clarke and Susan Ennis.
The Boyne Links Alliance hold their next outing on Thursday, November 20th, at Laytown and Bettystown. Places on timesheet are available at 01-6282919.
